Western Illinois University vs. Fairmont State

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Illinois University in Macomb, IL with Fairmont State University in Fairmont, WV on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Western Illinois University is larger than Fairmont State based on total student enrollment (6,332 students vs. 3,305 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Illinois University is located in Macomb, IL (Remote Town setting); Fairmont State University is in Fairmont, WV (Distant Town setting).
• Western Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Fairmont State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Illinois University 12:1; Fairmont State University 14:1.

Western Illinois University vs. Fairmont State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Western Illinois University or Fairmont State ? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Fairmont State University than Western Illinois University ($11,328 vs. $14,208).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Illinois University are 2.9% lower than at Fairmont State University ($11,320 vs. $11,656).
• Western Illinois University is 75.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Fairmont State (about $6,556 more per year; $15,264.00 vs. $8,708.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 24% higher at Fairmont State than at Western Illinois University (about $3,660 more per year; $18,924.00 vs. $15,264.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Fairmont State University than at Western Illinois University (91% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Illinois University students is 75.3% larger than aid received by Fairmont State University students ($14,994 vs. $8,552).

Western Illinois University vs. Fairmont State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Western Illinois University or Fairmont State ? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Fairmont State and Western Illinois University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Western Illinois University (990) is 50 points higher than at Fairmont State (940).
• Incoming Western Illinois University students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 20 at Fairmont State ).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Illinois University 880/1090; Fairmont State University 810/1070.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Illinois University 18/24; Fairmont State University 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Western Illinois University - Test-free; Fairmont State - Required.
• Accepted freshman Western Illinois University students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at Fairmont State (3.36).
• Fairmont State has a higher acceptance rate (98.6%) than Western Illinois University (71.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.3% at Western Illinois University vs. 33.8% at Fairmont State .

Western Illinois University vs. Fairmont State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Western Illinois University and Fairmont State ? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Western Illinois University's six-year graduation rate (53%) is higher than Fairmont State University's (33%).
• Graduates from Western Illinois University earn a median of about $8,400 more per year than Fairmont State graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,000 vs. $37,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Fairmont State University graduates have a $2,704 lower median loan debt than Western Illinois University graduates ($22,000 vs. $24,704).
• Among borrowers, Fairmont State graduates have an estimated $28 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Western Illinois University graduates ($227 vs. $255).
• More Western Illinois University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fairmont State students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 43%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.