Western Illinois University vs. Columbia College

Should I go to Western Illinois University or Columbia College? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Western Illinois University or Columbia College is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.
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Western Illinois University vs. Columbia College comparison
Western Illinois University Columbia College College 3 College 4
Western Illinois University
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Overview

 Western Illinois University Columbia College
Location Macomb, IL Columbia, MO
Setting Remote Town Midsize City
Enrollment 7,643 6,046
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #579
Religious Affiliation - Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website wiu.edu ccis.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Western Illinois University Columbia College
Tuition (In State) $9,515 $24,326
Tuition (Out of State) $9,515 $24,326
Room & Board $10,500 $8,670
Avg Net Price $11,213 $22,824
Avg Grant Aid $15,632 $13,725
% Receiving Grant Aid 94% 90%

Admission

 Western Illinois University Columbia College
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 9,219 -
Admitted 6,914 -
Acceptance Rate 75% Open
Enrolled % 15.5% Open
Avg High School GPA 3.45 3.59
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Unavailable
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/24
SAT Range 880/1090
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline

Academics

 Western Illinois University Columbia College
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 20:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (16%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (14%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (12%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Communication (6%)
  • Business (42%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (29%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (9%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • Human Services (4%)

Outcomes

 Western Illinois University Columbia College
Graduation Rate 53% 39%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $46,000 $41,800
Making Student Loan Payments 61% 40%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,704 $22,034
Median Loan Payment $255 $227

Diversity

 Western Illinois University Columbia College
% Men 43% 40%
% Women 57% 60%
Racial Diversity Medium High
HBCU No No
% White 62% 55%
% Black 19% 25%
% Hispanic 11% 8%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 2% 2%
% Unknown Race 2% 5%

Students

 Western Illinois University Columbia College
% In-State 89% 56%
% Out-of-State 10% 42%

Campus

 Western Illinois University Columbia College
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required Yes No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes Yes
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Western Illinois University is larger than than Columbia College based on total student enrollment (7,643 students vs. 6,046 students)

Western Illinois University vs. Columbia College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Western Illinois University or Columbia College?

  • Columbia College is 155.7% more expensive to attend than Western Illinois University for in-state tuition ($24,326.00 vs. $9,515.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 155.7% higher at Columbia College than Western Illinois University ($24,326.00 vs. $9,515.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Illinois University than Columbia College ($11,213 vs. $22,824)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia College are 21.1% lower than costs at Western Illinois University ($8,670 vs. $10,500)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Western Illinois University than Columbia College (94% vs. 90%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Western Illinois University students is 13.9% larger than aid received Columbia College ($15,632 vs. $13,725)

Which college is harder to get into, Western Illinois University or Columbia College? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Columbia College or Western Illinois University .

  • Accepted freshman Columbia College students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.59) than students at Western Illinois University (3.45)

Western Illinois University vs. Columbia College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Western Illinois University or Columbia College? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Columbia College and Western Illinois University.

  • The graduation rate at Western Illinois University is higher than Columbia College (53% vs. 39%)
  • Graduates from Western Illinois University earn on average $4,200 more per year than Columbia College graduates after ten years. ($46,000 vs. $41,800)
  • Columbia College students graduate with a $2,670 lower median federal student loan debt than Western Illinois University graduates. ($22,034 vs. $24,704)
  • Columbia College graduates are paying $28 less per month on federal student loans than Western Illinois University graduates. ($227 vs. $255)
  • More Western Illinois University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia College students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 40%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/