Western Illinois University vs. GSU- Grambling

Comparable Facts

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

Western Illinois University is larger than GSU- Grambling based on total student enrollment (6,332 students vs. 5,150 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Illinois University is located in Macomb, IL (Remote Town setting); Grambling State University is in Grambling, LA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Western Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Grambling State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Illinois University 12:1; Grambling State University 25:1.

Western Illinois University vs. GSU- Grambling Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Western Illinois University or GSU- Grambling? 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 Western Illinois University than GSU- Grambling ($14,208 vs. $17,018).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Grambling State University are 2.9% lower than at Western Illinois University ($10,990 vs. $11,320).
• Western Illinois University is 98.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than GSU- Grambling (about $7,581 more per year; $15,264.00 vs. $7,683.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 9.4% higher at GSU- Grambling than at Western Illinois University (about $1,442 more per year; $16,706.00 vs. $15,264.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Grambling State University than at Western Illinois University (95% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Illinois University students is 69% larger than aid received by Grambling State University students ($14,994 vs. $8,870).

Western Illinois University vs. GSU- Grambling Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Western Illinois University or GSU- Grambling? 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 GSU- Grambling and Western Illinois University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Grambling State University (1000) is 10 points higher than at Western Illinois University (990).
• Incoming Western Illinois University students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 17 at GSU- Grambling).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Illinois University 880/1090; Grambling State University 920/1080.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Illinois University 18/24; Grambling State University 15/19.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Western Illinois University - Test-free; GSU- Grambling - Required.
• Accepted freshman Western Illinois University students have a 0.44 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at GSU- Grambling (3.01).
• Western Illinois University has a higher acceptance rate (71.2%) than GSU- Grambling (44.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.3% at Western Illinois University vs. 18% at GSU- Grambling.

Western Illinois University vs. GSU- Grambling Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Western Illinois University and GSU- Grambling? 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 Grambling State University's (27%).
• Graduates from Western Illinois University earn a median of about $13,600 more per year than GSU- Grambling graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,000 vs. $32,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Illinois University graduates have a $13,293 lower median loan debt than GSU- Grambling graduates ($24,704 vs. $37,997).
• Among borrowers, Western Illinois University graduates have an estimated $137 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than GSU- Grambling graduates ($255 vs. $392).
• More Western Illinois University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former GSU- Grambling students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 23%)

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.