Western Illinois University vs. Fitchburg State

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

 Western Illinois University Fitchburg State
Location Macomb, IL Fitchburg, MA
Setting Remote Town Midsize Suburban
Enrollment 7,643 6,554
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #579 #549
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website wiu.edu fitchburgstate.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Western Illinois University Fitchburg State
Tuition (In State) $9,515 $970
Tuition (Out of State) $9,515 $7,050
Room & Board $10,500 $13,516
Avg Net Price $11,213 $15,535
Avg Grant Aid $15,632 $7,093
% Receiving Grant Aid 94% 76%

Admission

 Western Illinois University Fitchburg State
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 9,219 3,084
Admitted 6,914 2,654
Acceptance Rate 75% 86.1%
Enrolled % 15.5% 18.3%
Avg High School GPA 3.45 3.29
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Average
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/24 22/28
SAT Range 880/1090 1020/1220
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 Fitchburg State
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (16%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (14%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (12%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Communication (6%)
  • General Studies (16%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (14%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Health Professions (6%)

Outcomes

 Western Illinois University Fitchburg State
Graduation Rate 53% 47%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $46,000 $44,000
Making Student Loan Payments 61% 65%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,704 $22,685
Median Loan Payment $255 $234

Diversity

 Western Illinois University Fitchburg State
% Men 43% 38%
% Women 57% 62%
Racial Diversity Medium Low
HBCU No No
% White 62% 73%
% Black 19% 9%
% Hispanic 11% 11%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 2% 1%
% Unknown Race 2% 1%

Students

 Western Illinois University Fitchburg State
% In-State 89% 90%
% Out-of-State 10% 10%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Western Illinois University is larger than than Fitchburg State based on total student enrollment (7,643 students vs. 6,554 students)

Western Illinois University vs. Fitchburg State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Western Illinois University or Fitchburg State?

  • Western Illinois University is 880.9% more expensive to attend than Fitchburg State for in-state tuition ($9,515.00 vs. $970.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 35% higher at Western Illinois University than Fitchburg State University ($9,515.00 vs. $7,050.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Illinois University than Fitchburg State ($11,213 vs. $15,535)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Illinois University are 28.7% lower than costs at Fitchburg State University ($10,500 vs. $13,516)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Western Illinois University than Fitchburg State University (94% vs. 76%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Western Illinois University students is 120.4% larger than aid received Fitchburg State University ($15,632 vs. $7,093)

Western Illinois University vs. Fitchburg State Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Fitchburg State University (993) is 23 points higher than at Western Illinois University (970)
  • Incoming Western Illinois University students have at the same average ACT score (21) as students at Fitchburg State (21)
  • Accepted freshman Western Illinois University students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at Fitchburg State (3.29)
  • Fitchburg State has a higher acceptance rate (86.1%) than Western Illinois University (75%)

Western Illinois University vs. Fitchburg State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Western Illinois University or Fitchburg State? 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 Fitchburg State and Western Illinois University.

  • The graduation rate at Western Illinois University is higher than Fitchburg State University (53% vs. 47%)
  • Graduates from Western Illinois University earn on average $2,000 more per year than Fitchburg State graduates after ten years. ($46,000 vs. $44,000)
  • Fitchburg State University students graduate with a $2,019 lower median federal student loan debt than Western Illinois University graduates. ($22,685 vs. $24,704)
  • Fitchburg State graduates are paying $21 less per month on federal student loans than Western Illinois University graduates. ($234 vs. $255)
  • More Fitchburg State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Western Illinois University students, three years after graduation. (65% vs. 61%)

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