Western Illinois University vs. Kean

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

Western Illinois University Kean
Location Macomb, IL Union, NJ
Setting Remote Town Large Suburban
Enrollment 7,643 12,884
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #579 #663
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website wiu.edu kean.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Western Illinois University Kean
Tuition (In State) $9,515 $10,758
Tuition (Out of State) $9,515 $18,150
Room & Board $10,500 $14,834
Avg Net Price $11,213 $10,747
Avg Grant Aid $15,632 $13,123
% Receiving Grant Aid 94% 97%

Admission

Western Illinois University Kean
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 9,219 10,485
Admitted 6,914 8,661
Acceptance Rate 75% 82.6%
Enrolled % 15.5% 22.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.45 3.2
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/24 16/25
SAT Range 880/1090 900/1160
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 15, 2024

Academics

Western Illinois University Kean
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (16%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (14%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (12%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Communication (6%)
  • Business (22%)
  • Education (19%)
  • Psychology (12%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)

Outcomes

Western Illinois University Kean
Graduation Rate 53% 49%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $46,000 $46,400
Making Student Loan Payments 61% 52%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,704 $25,000
Median Loan Payment $255 $258

Diversity

Western Illinois University Kean
% Men 43% 36%
% Women 57% 64%
Racial Diversity Medium Very High
HBCU No No
% White 62% 36%
% Black 19% 20%
% Hispanic 11% 27%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 2%
% International 2% 2%
% Unknown Race 2% 8%

Students

Western Illinois University Kean
% In-State 89% 92%
% Out-of-State 10% 3%

Campus

Western Illinois University Kean
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

  • Kean University is larger than than Western Illinois University based on total student enrollment (12,884 students vs. 7,643 students)

Western Illinois University vs. Kean Cost Comparison

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

  • Kean University is 13.1% more expensive to attend than Western Illinois University for in-state tuition ($10,758.00 vs. $9,515.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 90.8% higher at Kean than Western Illinois University ($18,150.00 vs. $9,515.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Kean University than Western Illinois University ($10,747 vs. $11,213)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Illinois University are 41.3% lower than costs at Kean University ($10,500 vs. $14,834)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Kean University than Western Illinois University (97% vs. 94%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Western Illinois University students is 19.1% larger than aid received Kean University ($15,632 vs. $13,123)

Western Illinois University vs. Kean Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Western Illinois University (970) is 42 points higher than at Kean (928)
  • Incoming Western Illinois University students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (21) than students at Kean (19)
  • Accepted freshman Western Illinois University students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at Kean (3.2)
  • Kean has a higher acceptance rate (82.6%) than Western Illinois University (75%)

Western Illinois University vs. Kean Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at Western Illinois University is higher than Kean University (53% vs. 49%)
  • Graduates from Kean University earn on average $400 more per year than Western Illinois University graduates after ten years. ($46,400 vs. $46,000)
  • Western Illinois University students graduate with a $296 lower median federal student loan debt than Kean graduates. ($24,704 vs. $25,000)
  • Western Illinois University graduates are paying $3 less per month on federal student loans than Kean graduates. ($255 vs. $258)
  • More Western Illinois University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Kean students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 52%)

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