Western Illinois University vs. Eastern

Western Illinois University and Eastern Kentucky University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Western Illinois University
Eastern Kentucky University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Western Illinois University (71.2% admitted vs 77.6%). Typical SAT 990 vs 980.
  • Cheaper after aid: Eastern. Average net price is $12,279 vs $14,208 at Western Illinois University.
  • Graduation: Western Illinois University 53% vs Eastern 38%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Western Illinois University $46,000 vs Eastern $37,900 (median).
See your own chances ->

Key differences

Western Illinois University Eastern Kentucky University
Acceptance rate
Western Illinois University more selective
Western Illinois University71.2%
Eastern77.6%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Western Illinois University higher
Western Illinois University880-1090
Eastern880-1080
Average net price
Eastern $1,929 less
Western Illinois University$14,208
Eastern$12,279
In-state tuition
Eastern $4,944 less
Western Illinois University$15,264
Eastern$10,320
Out-of-state tuition
Western Illinois University $5,966 less
Western Illinois University$15,264
Eastern$21,230
Graduation rate
Western Illinois University +15 pts
Western Illinois University53%
Eastern38%
Median earnings (10 years)
Western Illinois University +$8,100
Western Illinois University$46,000
Eastern$37,900

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

Admission calculator

Partner

Not sure you'd get in? Check your chances at Western Illinois University and Eastern with Appily's free admission calculator.

Check my chances at Western Illinois University Check my chances at Eastern
  • Applied
  • Western Illinois University 8,674
  • Eastern 17,024
  • Admitted
  • Western Illinois University 6,174
  • Eastern 13,212
  • Acceptance rate
  • Western Illinois University 71.2%
  • Eastern 77.6%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Western Illinois University 10.3%
  • Eastern 19.9%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Western Illinois University 990
  • Eastern 980
  • Typical ACT score
  • Western Illinois University 21
  • Eastern 22
  • Average high school GPA
  • Western Illinois University 3.45
  • Eastern 3.39
  • Typical high school grades
  • Western Illinois University B+
  • Eastern B+
  • Admissions standards
  • Western Illinois University Extremely Easy
  • Eastern Very Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • Western Illinois University Low
  • Eastern
  • SAT range
  • Western Illinois University 880-1090
  • Eastern 880-1080
  • ACT range
  • Western Illinois University 18-24
  • Eastern 19-25
  • Submit test scores
  • Western Illinois University Test-free
  • Eastern Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Western Illinois University
  • Eastern Aug 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Western Illinois University $15,264
  • Eastern $10,320
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Western Illinois University $15,264
  • Eastern $21,230
  • Room & board
  • Western Illinois University $11,320
  • Eastern $12,268
  • Average net price
  • Western Illinois University $14,208
  • Eastern $12,279
  • Average grant aid
  • Western Illinois University $14,994
  • Eastern $11,468
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Western Illinois University 53%
  • Eastern 98%
  • Graduation rate
  • Western Illinois University 53%
  • Eastern 38%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Western Illinois University $46,000
  • Eastern $37,900
  • Making student loan payments
  • Western Illinois University 61%
  • Eastern 49%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Western Illinois University $24,704
  • Eastern $23,695
  • Median loan payment
  • Western Illinois University $255
  • Eastern $245
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Western Illinois University 12:1
  • Eastern 17:1
  • Popular majors
  • Western Illinois University
    • Business (16%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (14%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (12%)
    • Education (8%)
    • Communication (6%)
  • Eastern
    • Health Professions (16%)
    • Education (16%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (14%)
    • Business (9%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (8%)
  • Location
  • Western Illinois University Macomb, IL
  • Eastern Richmond, KY
  • Setting
  • Western Illinois University Remote Town
  • Eastern Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Western Illinois University 6,332
  • Eastern 15,673
  • Type
  • Western Illinois University Public 4 Year
  • Eastern Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Western Illinois University #571
  • Eastern #886

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Illinois University in Macomb, IL with Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond, KY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Eastern Kentucky University is larger than Western Illinois University based on total student enrollment (15,673 students vs. 6,332 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Western Illinois University is located in Macomb, IL (Remote Town setting); Eastern Kentucky University is in Richmond, KY (Distant Town setting).
  • Western Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Eastern Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Illinois University 12:1; Eastern Kentucky University 17:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Illinois University are 7.7% lower than at Eastern Kentucky University ($11,320 vs. $12,268).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 39.1% higher at Eastern than at Western Illinois University (about $5,966 more per year; $21,230 vs. $15,264).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Eastern Kentucky University than at Western Illinois University (98% vs. 53%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Western Illinois University students is 30.7% larger than aid received by Eastern Kentucky University students ($14,994 vs. $11,468).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Eastern than at Western Illinois University (22 vs. 21, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test-free at Western Illinois University, test optional at Eastern.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Eastern Aug 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Western Illinois University average a 3.45 high school GPA, 0.06 higher than at Eastern (3.39).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.3% at Western Illinois University vs. 19.9% at Eastern.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Eastern Kentucky University graduates have a $1,009 lower median loan debt than Western Illinois University graduates ($23,695 vs. $24,704).
  • Among borrowers, Eastern graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Western Illinois University graduates ($245 vs. $255).
  • More Western Illinois University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Eastern students, three years after graduation (61% vs. 49%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

Change schools

You can add up to two more colleges. Each one gets its own column.

Western Illinois University
Eastern Kentucky University
Add a college Compare up to 4

Frequently compared to these colleges