Western Illinois University vs. IU East

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Illinois University in Macomb, IL with Indiana University East in Richmond, IN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Western Illinois University is larger than IU East based on total student enrollment (6,332 students vs. 3,203 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Illinois University is located in Macomb, IL (Remote Town setting); Indiana University East is in Richmond, IN (Rural Fringe setting).
• Western Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Indiana University East is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Illinois University 12:1; Indiana University East 15:1.

Western Illinois University vs. IU East Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Western Illinois University or IU East? 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 Indiana University East than Western Illinois University ($8,718 vs. $14,208).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Indiana University East are 3.1% lower than at Western Illinois University ($10,972 vs. $11,320).
• Western Illinois University is 81.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than IU East (about $6,840 more per year; $15,264.00 vs. $8,424.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 49.4% higher at IU East than at Western Illinois University (about $7,547 more per year; $22,811.00 vs. $15,264.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Indiana University East than at Western Illinois University (83% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Illinois University students is 85.2% larger than aid received by Indiana University East students ($14,994 vs. $8,096).

Western Illinois University vs. IU East Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Western Illinois University or IU East? 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 IU East and Western Illinois University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Indiana University East (1070) is 80 points higher than at Western Illinois University (990).
• Incoming Western Illinois University students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 21) as students at IU East (21).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Illinois University 880/1090; Indiana University East 960/1170.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Illinois University 18/24; Indiana University East 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Western Illinois University - Test-free; IU East - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: IU East Aug 18, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Western Illinois University students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at IU East (3.41).
• Western Illinois University has a higher acceptance rate (71.2%) than IU East (67.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.3% at Western Illinois University vs. 29.2% at IU East.

Western Illinois University vs. IU East Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Western Illinois University and IU East? 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 Indiana University East's (19%).
• Graduates from Western Illinois University earn a median of about $13,100 more per year than IU East graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,000 vs. $32,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Indiana University East graduates have a $4,204 lower median loan debt than Western Illinois University graduates ($20,500 vs. $24,704).
• Among borrowers, IU East graduates have an estimated $44 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Western Illinois University graduates ($211 vs. $255).
• More Western Illinois University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former IU East students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 40%)

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.