Western Illinois University vs. Fairmont State

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

Western Illinois University
Fairmont State University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Western Illinois University (71.2% admitted vs 98.6%). Typical SAT 990 vs 940.
  • Cheaper after aid: Fairmont State . Average net price is $11,328 vs $14,208 at Western Illinois University.
  • Graduation: Western Illinois University 53% vs Fairmont State 33%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Western Illinois University $46,000 vs Fairmont State $37,600 (median).
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Key differences

Western Illinois University Fairmont State University
Acceptance rate
Western Illinois University more selective
Western Illinois University71.2%
Fairmont State 98.6%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Western Illinois University higher
Western Illinois University880-1090
Fairmont State 810-1070
Average net price
Fairmont State $2,880 less
Western Illinois University$14,208
Fairmont State $11,328
In-state tuition
Fairmont State $6,556 less
Western Illinois University$15,264
Fairmont State $8,708
Out-of-state tuition
Western Illinois University $3,660 less
Western Illinois University$15,264
Fairmont State $18,924
Graduation rate
Western Illinois University +20 pts
Western Illinois University53%
Fairmont State 33%
Median earnings (10 years)
Western Illinois University +$8,400
Western Illinois University$46,000
Fairmont State $37,600

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Western Illinois University 8,674
  • Fairmont State 1,955
  • Admitted
  • Western Illinois University 6,174
  • Fairmont State 1,928
  • Acceptance rate
  • Western Illinois University 71.2%
  • Fairmont State 98.6%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Western Illinois University 10.3%
  • Fairmont State 33.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Western Illinois University 990
  • Fairmont State 940
  • Typical ACT score
  • Western Illinois University 21
  • Fairmont State 20
  • Average high school GPA
  • Western Illinois University 3.45
  • Fairmont State 3.36
  • Typical high school grades
  • Western Illinois University B+
  • Fairmont State B+
  • Admissions standards
  • Western Illinois University Extremely Easy
  • Fairmont State Extremely Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • Western Illinois University Low
  • Fairmont State
  • SAT range
  • Western Illinois University 880-1090
  • Fairmont State 810-1070
  • ACT range
  • Western Illinois University 18-24
  • Fairmont State 17-23
  • Submit test scores
  • Western Illinois University Test-free
  • Fairmont State Required
  • Application deadline
  • Western Illinois University
  • Fairmont State
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Western Illinois University $15,264
  • Fairmont State $8,708
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Western Illinois University $15,264
  • Fairmont State $18,924
  • Room & board
  • Western Illinois University $11,320
  • Fairmont State $11,656
  • Average net price
  • Western Illinois University $14,208
  • Fairmont State $11,328
  • Average grant aid
  • Western Illinois University $14,994
  • Fairmont State $8,552
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Western Illinois University 53%
  • Fairmont State 91%
  • Graduation rate
  • Western Illinois University 53%
  • Fairmont State 33%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Western Illinois University $46,000
  • Fairmont State $37,600
  • Making student loan payments
  • Western Illinois University 61%
  • Fairmont State 43%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Western Illinois University $24,704
  • Fairmont State $22,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Western Illinois University $255
  • Fairmont State $227
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Western Illinois University 12:1
  • Fairmont State 14:1
  • Popular majors
  • Western Illinois University
    • Business (16%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (14%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (12%)
    • Education (8%)
    • Communication (6%)
  • Fairmont State
    • Health Professions (21%)
    • Business (18%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (10%)
    • Education (8%)
    • Engineering Technology (8%)
  • Location
  • Western Illinois University Macomb, IL
  • Fairmont State Fairmont, WV
  • Setting
  • Western Illinois University Remote Town
  • Fairmont State Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Western Illinois University 6,332
  • Fairmont State 3,305
  • Type
  • Western Illinois University Public 4 Year
  • Fairmont State Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Western Illinois University #571
  • Fairmont State #972

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 tables 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.

Cost details

  • 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).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 24% higher at Fairmont State than at Western Illinois University (about $3,660 more per year; $18,924 vs. $15,264).
  • 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).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Western Illinois University than at Fairmont State (21 vs. 20, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test-free at Western Illinois University, required at Fairmont State .
  • Enrolled first-year students at Western Illinois University average a 3.45 high school GPA, 0.09 higher than at Fairmont State (3.36).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.3% at Western Illinois University vs. 33.8% at Fairmont State .

Loans and repayment

  • 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, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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