Western Illinois University vs. ESU

Western Illinois University and Emporia State University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Western Illinois University
Emporia State University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Western Illinois University (71.2% admitted vs 97.7%). Typical SAT 990 vs N/A.
  • Cheaper after aid: Western Illinois University. Average net price is $14,208 vs $16,094 at ESU .
  • Graduation: Western Illinois University 53% vs ESU 43%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Western Illinois University $46,000 vs ESU $39,000 (median).
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Key differences

Western Illinois University Emporia State University
Acceptance rate
Western Illinois University more selective
Western Illinois University71.2%
ESU 97.7%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Western Illinois University higher
Western Illinois University880-1090
ESU -
Average net price
Western Illinois University $1,886 less
Western Illinois University$14,208
ESU $16,094
In-state tuition
ESU $8,158 less
Western Illinois University$15,264
ESU $7,106
Out-of-state tuition
Western Illinois University $155 less
Western Illinois University$15,264
ESU $15,419
Graduation rate
Western Illinois University +10 pts
Western Illinois University53%
ESU 43%
Median earnings (10 years)
Western Illinois University +$7,000
Western Illinois University$46,000
ESU $39,000

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Western Illinois University 8,674
  • ESU 1,918
  • Admitted
  • Western Illinois University 6,174
  • ESU 1,874
  • Acceptance rate
  • Western Illinois University 71.2%
  • ESU 97.7%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Western Illinois University 10.3%
  • ESU 22.9%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Western Illinois University 990
  • ESU
  • Typical ACT score
  • Western Illinois University 21
  • ESU
  • Average high school GPA
  • Western Illinois University 3.45
  • ESU 3.41
  • Typical high school grades
  • Western Illinois University B+
  • ESU B+
  • Admissions standards
  • Western Illinois University Extremely Easy
  • ESU Unavailable
  • Applicant competition
  • Western Illinois University Low
  • ESU
  • SAT range
  • Western Illinois University 880-1090
  • ESU
  • ACT range
  • Western Illinois University 18-24
  • ESU
  • Submit test scores
  • Western Illinois University Test-free
  • ESU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Western Illinois University
  • ESU
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Western Illinois University $15,264
  • ESU $7,106
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Western Illinois University $15,264
  • ESU $15,419
  • Room & board
  • Western Illinois University $11,320
  • ESU $10,950
  • Average net price
  • Western Illinois University $14,208
  • ESU $16,094
  • Average grant aid
  • Western Illinois University $14,994
  • ESU $5,951
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Western Illinois University 53%
  • ESU 92%
  • Graduation rate
  • Western Illinois University 53%
  • ESU 43%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Western Illinois University $46,000
  • ESU $39,000
  • Making student loan payments
  • Western Illinois University 61%
  • ESU 59%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Western Illinois University $24,704
  • ESU $19,419
  • Median loan payment
  • Western Illinois University $255
  • ESU $200
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Western Illinois University 12:1
  • ESU 16:1
  • Popular majors
  • Western Illinois University
    • Business (16%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (14%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (12%)
    • Education (8%)
    • Communication (6%)
  • ESU
    • Education (27%)
    • Business (16%)
    • Social Sciences (11%)
    • Health Professions (9%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
  • Location
  • Western Illinois University Macomb, IL
  • ESU Emporia, KS
  • Setting
  • Western Illinois University Remote Town
  • ESU Remote Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Western Illinois University 6,332
  • ESU 4,557
  • Type
  • Western Illinois University Public 4 Year
  • ESU Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Western Illinois University #571
  • ESU

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Illinois University in Macomb, IL with Emporia State University in Emporia, KS on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Western Illinois University is larger than ESU based on total student enrollment (6,332 students vs. 4,557 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Western Illinois University is located in Macomb, IL (Remote Town setting); Emporia State University is in Emporia, KS (Remote Town setting).
  • Western Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Emporia State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Illinois University 12:1; Emporia State University 16:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Emporia State University are 3.3% lower than at Western Illinois University ($10,950 vs. $11,320).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 1% higher at ESU than at Western Illinois University (about $155 more per year; $15,419 vs. $15,264).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Emporia State University than at Western Illinois University (92% vs. 53%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Western Illinois University students is 152% larger than aid received by Emporia State University students ($14,994 vs. $5,951).

Admissions details

  • SAT or ACT scores are test-free at Western Illinois University, test optional at ESU .
  • Enrolled first-year students at Western Illinois University average a 3.45 high school GPA, 0.04 higher than at ESU (3.41).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.3% at Western Illinois University vs. 22.9% at ESU .

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Emporia State University graduates have a $5,285 lower median loan debt than Western Illinois University graduates ($19,419 vs. $24,704).
  • Among borrowers, ESU graduates have an estimated $55 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Western Illinois University graduates ($200 vs. $255).
  • More Western Illinois University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ESU students, three years after graduation (61% vs. 59%).

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

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