Western Illinois University vs. MIAD

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Illinois University in Macomb, IL with Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design in Milwaukee, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Western Illinois University is larger than MIAD based on total student enrollment (6,332 students vs. 838 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Illinois University is located in Macomb, IL (Remote Town setting); Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design is in Milwaukee, WI (Large City setting).
• Western Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Illinois University 12:1; Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design 11:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design are 3.2% lower than at Western Illinois University ($10,955 vs. $11,320).
• Out-of-state tuition is 186.6% higher at MIAD than at Western Illinois University (about $28,479 more per year; $43,743 vs. $15,264).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design than at Western Illinois University (100% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design students is 73.5% larger than aid received by Western Illinois University students ($26,015 vs. $14,994).

Admissions details

• Typical ACT composite is 3 points higher at MIAD than at Western Illinois University (24 vs. 21, midpoint estimate).
• SAT or ACT scores are test-free at Western Illinois University, test optional at MIAD.
• Typical fall application deadline: MIAD Aug 31, 2027.
• Enrolled first-year students at Western Illinois University average a 3.45 high school GPA, 0.37 higher than at MIAD (3.08).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.3% at Western Illinois University vs. 33.2% at MIAD.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Illinois University graduates have a $2,296 lower median loan debt than MIAD graduates ($24,704 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Western Illinois University graduates have an estimated $24 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MIAD graduates ($255 vs. $279).
• More Western Illinois University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MIAD students, three years after graduation (61% vs. 59%).

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