Western Illinois University vs. Loras College

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Illinois University in Macomb, IL with Loras College in Dubuque, IA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Western Illinois University is larger than Loras College based on total student enrollment (6,332 students vs. 1,189 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Illinois University is located in Macomb, IL (Remote Town setting); Loras College is in Dubuque, IA (Small City setting).
• Western Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Loras College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Illinois University 12:1; Loras College 12:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Loras College are 2.8% lower than at Western Illinois University ($11,000 vs. $11,320).
• Out-of-state tuition is 160.9% higher at Loras College than at Western Illinois University (about $24,560 more per year; $39,824 vs. $15,264).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Loras College than at Western Illinois University (100% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Loras College students is 92.3% larger than aid received by Western Illinois University students ($28,835 vs. $14,994).

Admissions details

• SAT or ACT scores are test-free at both Western Illinois University and Loras College.
• Enrolled first-year students at Loras College average a 3.48 high school GPA, 0.03 higher than at Western Illinois University (3.45).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.3% at Western Illinois University vs. 18.6% at Loras College.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Illinois University graduates have a $2,296 lower median loan debt than Loras 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 Loras College graduates ($255 vs. $279).
• More Loras College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Western Illinois University students, three years after graduation (83% vs. 61%).

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