Western Illinois University vs. Jackson State University

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

Western Illinois University Jackson State University
Location Macomb, IL Jackson, MS
Setting Remote Town Midsize City
Enrollment 7,073 6,564
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #663 #974
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website wiu.edu jsums.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Western Illinois University Jackson State University
Tuition (In State) $9,801 $8,815
Tuition (Out of State) $9,801 $8,815
Room & Board $10,920 $11,782
Avg Net Price $12,168 $19,892
Avg Grant Aid $15,620 $8,133
% Receiving Grant Aid 53% 92%

Admission

Western Illinois University Jackson State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 8,479 14,141
Admitted 6,356 12,873
Acceptance Rate 75% 91%
Enrolled % 15.2% 7.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.45 3.1
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/24 15/20
SAT Range 880/1090 850/1080
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jul 15, 2025

Academics

Western Illinois University Jackson State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (16%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (14%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (12%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Communication (6%)
  • Business (20%)
  • Education (14%)
  • General Studies (12%)
  • Biology (9%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)

Outcomes

Western Illinois University Jackson State University
Graduation Rate 53% 40%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $46,000 $32,800
Making Student Loan Payments 61% 36%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,704 $29,000
Median Loan Payment $255 $299

Diversity

Western Illinois University Jackson State University
% Men 12% 7%
% Women 17% 20%
Racial Diversity Medium Extremely Low
HBCU No Yes
% White 62% 4%
% Black 19% 92%
% Hispanic 11% 0%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 1%
% International 2% 2%
% Unknown Race 2% 0%

Students

Western Illinois University Jackson State University
% In-State 90% 30%
% Out-of-State 8% 69%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Western Illinois University is larger than than Jackson State University based on total student enrollment (7,073 students vs. 6,564 students)

Western Illinois University vs. Jackson State University Cost Comparison

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

  • Western Illinois University is 11.2% more expensive to attend than Jackson State University for in-state tuition ($9,801.00 vs. $8,815.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 11.2% higher at Western Illinois University than Jackson State University ($9,801.00 vs. $8,815.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Illinois University than Jackson State University ($12,168 vs. $19,892)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Illinois University are 7.9% lower than costs at Jackson State University ($10,920 vs. $11,782)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Jackson State University than Western Illinois University (92% vs. 53%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Western Illinois University students is 92.1% larger than aid received Jackson State University ($15,620 vs. $8,133)

Western Illinois University vs. Jackson State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Western Illinois University (970) is 60 points higher than at Jackson State University (910)
  • Incoming Western Illinois University students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (21) than students at Jackson State University (19)
  • Accepted freshman Western Illinois University students have a 0.35 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at Jackson State University (3.1)
  • Jackson State University has a higher acceptance rate (91%) than Western Illinois University (75%)

Western Illinois University vs. Jackson State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at Western Illinois University is higher than Jackson State University (53% vs. 40%)
  • Graduates from Western Illinois University earn on average $13,200 more per year than Jackson State University graduates after ten years. ($46,000 vs. $32,800)
  • Western Illinois University students graduate with a $4,296 lower median federal student loan debt than Jackson State University graduates. ($24,704 vs. $29,000)
  • Western Illinois University graduates are paying $44 less per month on federal student loans than Jackson State University graduates. ($255 vs. $299)
  • More Western Illinois University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Jackson State University students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 36%)

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