Western Illinois University vs. NSU

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

Western Illinois University NSU
Location Macomb, IL Norfolk, VA
Setting Remote Town Midsize City
Enrollment 7,643 5,783
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #579 #1008
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website wiu.edu nsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Western Illinois University NSU
Tuition (In State) $9,515 $5,752
Tuition (Out of State) $9,515 $16,920
Room & Board $10,500 $10,844
Avg Net Price $11,213 $14,652
Avg Grant Aid $15,632 $12,164
% Receiving Grant Aid 94% 91%

Admission

Western Illinois University NSU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 9,219 8,884
Admitted 6,914 7,951
Acceptance Rate 75% 89.5%
Enrolled % 15.5% 16.4%
Avg High School GPA 3.45 2.9
Typical High School Grades B+ B-
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/24 15/20
SAT Range 880/1090 840/1040
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline May 31, 2024

Academics

Western Illinois University NSU
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 18:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (16%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (14%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (12%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Communication (6%)
  • Health Professions (21%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • General Studies (10%)
  • Communication (7%)

Outcomes

Western Illinois University NSU
Graduation Rate 53% 33%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $46,000 $36,700
Making Student Loan Payments 61% 27%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,704 $31,000
Median Loan Payment $255 $320

Diversity

Western Illinois University NSU
% Men 43% 33%
% Women 57% 67%
Racial Diversity Medium Very Low
HBCU No Yes
% White 62% 5%
% Black 19% 84%
% Hispanic 11% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 4%
% International 2% 0%
% Unknown Race 2% 3%

Students

Western Illinois University NSU
% In-State 89% 65%
% Out-of-State 10% 31%

Campus

Western Illinois University NSU
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 NSU based on total student enrollment (7,643 students vs. 5,783 students)

Western Illinois University vs. NSU Cost Comparison

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

  • Western Illinois University is 65.4% more expensive to attend than NSU for in-state tuition ($9,515.00 vs. $5,752.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 77.8% higher at NSU than Western Illinois University ($16,920.00 vs. $9,515.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Illinois University than NSU ($11,213 vs. $14,652)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Illinois University are 3.3% lower than costs at Norfolk State University ($10,500 vs. $10,844)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Western Illinois University than Norfolk State University (94% vs. 91%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Western Illinois University students is 28.5% larger than aid received Norfolk State University ($15,632 vs. $12,164)

Western Illinois University vs. NSU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Western Illinois University (970) is 162 points higher than at NSU (808)
  • Incoming Western Illinois University students have a 4 point higher average ACT score (21) than students at NSU (17)
  • Accepted freshman Western Illinois University students have a 0.55 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at NSU (2.9)
  • NSU has a higher acceptance rate (89.5%) than Western Illinois University (75%)

Western Illinois University vs. NSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at Western Illinois University is higher than Norfolk State University (53% vs. 33%)
  • Graduates from Western Illinois University earn on average $9,300 more per year than NSU graduates after ten years. ($46,000 vs. $36,700)
  • Western Illinois University students graduate with a $6,296 lower median federal student loan debt than NSU graduates. ($24,704 vs. $31,000)
  • Western Illinois University graduates are paying $65 less per month on federal student loans than NSU graduates. ($255 vs. $320)
  • More Western Illinois University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NSU students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 27%)

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