Western Illinois University vs. ECU

Should I go to Western Illinois University or East Central University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Western Illinois University or ECU 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. East Central University comparison
Western Illinois University East Central University College 3 College 4
Western Illinois University East Central University
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Overview

Western Illinois University ECU
Location Macomb, IL Ada, OK
Setting Remote Town Remote Town
Enrollment 7,643 3,376
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #579 #928
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website wiu.edu ecok.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Western Illinois University ECU
Tuition (In State) $9,515 $6,001
Tuition (Out of State) $9,515 $15,361
Room & Board $10,500 $7,752
Avg Net Price $11,213 $10,221
Avg Grant Aid $15,632 $8,853
% Receiving Grant Aid 94% 89%

Admission

Western Illinois University ECU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 9,219 1,200
Admitted 6,914 841
Acceptance Rate 75% 70.1%
Enrolled % 15.5% 59.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.45 3.31
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 18/24 16/22
SAT Range 880/1090 960/1078
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline

Academics

Western Illinois University ECU
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (16%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (14%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (12%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Communication (6%)
  • Human Services (14%)
  • Health Professions (13%)
  • Business (13%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Biology (7%)

Outcomes

Western Illinois University ECU
Graduation Rate 53% 34%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $46,000 $40,300
Making Student Loan Payments 61% 45%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,704 $16,878
Median Loan Payment $255 $174

Diversity

Western Illinois University ECU
% Men 43% 38%
% Women 57% 62%
Racial Diversity Medium High
HBCU No No
% White 62% 55%
% Black 19% 3%
% Hispanic 11% 5%
% Native American 0% 14%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 10%
% International 2% 10%
% Unknown Race 2% 2%

Students

Western Illinois University ECU
% In-State 89% 88%
% Out-of-State 10% 11%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Western Illinois University is larger than than ECU based on total student enrollment (7,643 students vs. 3,376 students)

Western Illinois University vs. ECU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Western Illinois University or ECU?

  • Western Illinois University is 58.6% more expensive to attend than ECU for in-state tuition ($9,515.00 vs. $6,001.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 61.4% higher at ECU than Western Illinois University ($15,361.00 vs. $9,515.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at East Central University than Western Illinois University ($10,221 vs. $11,213)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at East Central University are 35.4% lower than costs at Western Illinois University ($7,752 vs. $10,500)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Western Illinois University than East Central University (94% vs. 89%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Western Illinois University students is 76.6% larger than aid received East Central University ($15,632 vs. $8,853)

Western Illinois University vs. ECU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Western Illinois University (970) is the same at ECU (970)
  • Incoming Western Illinois University students have at the same average ACT score (21) as students at ECU (21)
  • Accepted freshman Western Illinois University students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at ECU (3.31)
  • Western Illinois University has a higher acceptance rate (75%) than ECU (70.1%)

Western Illinois University vs. ECU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Western Illinois University or ECU? 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 ECU and Western Illinois University.

  • The graduation rate at Western Illinois University is higher than East Central University (53% vs. 34%)
  • Graduates from Western Illinois University earn on average $5,700 more per year than ECU graduates after ten years. ($46,000 vs. $40,300)
  • East Central University students graduate with a $7,826 lower median federal student loan debt than Western Illinois University graduates. ($16,878 vs. $24,704)
  • ECU graduates are paying $81 less per month on federal student loans than Western Illinois University graduates. ($174 vs. $255)
  • More Western Illinois University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ECU students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 45%)

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