Western Illinois University vs. GVSU

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

Western Illinois University GVSU
Location Macomb, IL Allendale, MI
Setting Remote Town Large Suburban
Enrollment 7,643 21,648
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #579 #583
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website wiu.edu gvsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Western Illinois University GVSU
Tuition (In State) $9,515 $13,952
Tuition (Out of State) $9,515 $19,856
Room & Board $10,500 $10,140
Avg Net Price $11,213 $17,105
Avg Grant Aid $15,632 $8,811
% Receiving Grant Aid 94% 93%

Admission

Western Illinois University GVSU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 9,219 17,123
Admitted 6,914 15,474
Acceptance Rate 75% 90.4%
Enrolled % 15.5% 25%
Avg High School GPA 3.45 3.65
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Moderate
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/24 21/27
SAT Range 880/1090 960/1210
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline May 1, 2024

Academics

Western Illinois University GVSU
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (16%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (14%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (12%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Communication (6%)
  • Business (23%)
  • Health Professions (16%)
  • Psychology (9%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Social Sciences (7%)

Outcomes

Western Illinois University GVSU
Graduation Rate 53% 63%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $46,000 $44,600
Making Student Loan Payments 61% 62%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,704 $25,000
Median Loan Payment $255 $258

Diversity

Western Illinois University GVSU
% Men 43% 38%
% Women 57% 62%
Racial Diversity Medium Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 62% 83%
% Black 19% 5%
% Hispanic 11% 5%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 2% 1%
% Unknown Race 2% 0%

Students

Western Illinois University GVSU
% In-State 89% 91%
% Out-of-State 10% 8%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Grand Valley State University is larger than than Western Illinois University based on total student enrollment (21,648 students vs. 7,643 students)

Western Illinois University vs. GVSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Western Illinois University or GVSU?

  • Grand Valley State University is 46.6% more expensive to attend than Western Illinois University for in-state tuition ($13,952.00 vs. $9,515.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 108.7% higher at GVSU than Western Illinois University ($19,856.00 vs. $9,515.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Illinois University than GVSU ($11,213 vs. $17,105)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Grand Valley State University are 3.6% lower than costs at Western Illinois University ($10,140 vs. $10,500)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Western Illinois University than Grand Valley State University (94% vs. 93%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Western Illinois University students is 77.4% larger than aid received Grand Valley State University ($15,632 vs. $8,811)

Western Illinois University vs. GVSU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Grand Valley State University (1090) is 120 points higher than at Western Illinois University (970)
  • Incoming GVSU students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at Western Illinois University (21)
  • Accepted freshman GVSU students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.65) than students at Western Illinois University (3.45)
  • GVSU has a higher acceptance rate (90.4%) than Western Illinois University (75%)

Western Illinois University vs. GVSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Western Illinois University or GVSU? 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 GVSU and Western Illinois University.

  • The graduation rate at GVSU is higher than Western Illinois University (63% vs. 53%)
  • Graduates from Western Illinois University earn on average $1,400 more per year than GVSU graduates after ten years. ($46,000 vs. $44,600)
  • Western Illinois University students graduate with a $296 lower median federal student loan debt than GVSU graduates. ($24,704 vs. $25,000)
  • Western Illinois University graduates are paying $3 less per month on federal student loans than GVSU graduates. ($255 vs. $258)
  • More GVSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Western Illinois University students, three years after graduation. (62% vs. 61%)

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