Western Illinois University vs. Gustavus Adolphus College

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Illinois University in Macomb, IL with Gustavus Adolphus College in Saint Peter, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Western Illinois University is larger than Gustavus Adolphus College based on total student enrollment (6,332 students vs. 1,906 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Illinois University is located in Macomb, IL (Remote Town setting); Gustavus Adolphus College is in Saint Peter, MN (Remote Town setting).
• Western Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Gustavus Adolphus College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Illinois University 12:1; Gustavus Adolphus College 12:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Illinois University are 4.1% lower than at Gustavus Adolphus College ($11,320 vs. $11,804).
• Out-of-state tuition is 267.4% higher at Gustavus Adolphus College than at Western Illinois University (about $40,812 more per year; $56,076 vs. $15,264).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Gustavus Adolphus College than at Western Illinois University (100% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Gustavus Adolphus College students is 176.4% larger than aid received by Western Illinois University students ($41,450 vs. $14,994).

Admissions details

• SAT or ACT scores are test-free at Western Illinois University, test optional at Gustavus Adolphus College.
• Typical fall application deadline: Gustavus Adolphus College Apr 1, 2027.
• Enrolled first-year students at Gustavus Adolphus College average a 3.69 high school GPA, 0.24 higher than at Western Illinois University (3.45).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.3% at Western Illinois University vs. 15.2% at Gustavus Adolphus College.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Illinois University graduates have a $2,296 lower median loan debt than Gustavus Adolphus College graduates ($24,704 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Western Illinois University graduates have an estimated $24 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Gustavus Adolphus College graduates ($255 vs. $279).
• More Gustavus Adolphus College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Western Illinois University students, three years after graduation (82% vs. 61%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.