Western Illinois University vs. NSU

Should I go to Western Illinois University or Northeastern 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.

Add a college to compare up to four schools
Western Illinois University vs. Northeastern State University comparison
Western Illinois University Northeastern State University College 3 College 4
Western Illinois University Northeastern State University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

Western Illinois University NSU
Location Macomb, IL Tahlequah, OK
Setting Remote Town Remote Town
Enrollment 7,643 6,702
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #579 #933
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website wiu.edu nsuok.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Western Illinois University NSU
Tuition (In State) $9,515 $6,285
Tuition (Out of State) $9,515 $15,270
Room & Board $10,500 $8,292
Avg Net Price $11,213 $9,669
Avg Grant Aid $15,632 $8,528
% Receiving Grant Aid 94% 96%

Admission

Western Illinois University NSU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 9,219 1,674
Admitted 6,914 1,665
Acceptance Rate 75% 99.5%
Enrolled % 15.5% 42.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.45 3.49
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/24 17/23
SAT Range 880/1090 875/1130
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline

Academics

Western Illinois University NSU
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (16%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (14%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (12%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Communication (6%)
  • Education (22%)
  • Business (18%)
  • Psychology (9%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (8%)
  • Biology (7%)

Outcomes

Western Illinois University NSU
Graduation Rate 53% 26%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $46,000 $40,200
Making Student Loan Payments 61% 48%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,704 $18,000
Median Loan Payment $255 $186

Diversity

Western Illinois University NSU
% Men 43% 35%
% Women 57% 65%
Racial Diversity Medium Very High
HBCU No No
% White 62% 50%
% Black 19% 4%
% Hispanic 11% 5%
% Native American 0% 19%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 17%
% International 2% 2%
% Unknown Race 2% 1%

Students

Western Illinois University NSU
% In-State 89% 91%
% Out-of-State 10% 8%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Western Illinois University is larger than than NSU based on total student enrollment (7,643 students vs. 6,702 students)

Western Illinois University vs. NSU Cost Comparison

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

  • Western Illinois University is 51.4% more expensive to attend than NSU for in-state tuition ($9,515.00 vs. $6,285.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 60.5% higher at NSU than Western Illinois University ($15,270.00 vs. $9,515.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northeastern State University than Western Illinois University ($9,669 vs. $11,213)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northeastern State University are 26.6% lower than costs at Western Illinois University ($8,292 vs. $10,500)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Northeastern State University than Western Illinois University (96% vs. 94%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Western Illinois University students is 83.3% larger than aid received Northeastern State University ($15,632 vs. $8,528)

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 Northeastern State University (988) is 18 points higher than at Western Illinois University (970)
  • Incoming Western Illinois University students have at the same average ACT score (21) as students at NSU (21)
  • Accepted freshman NSU students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.49) than students at Western Illinois University (3.45)
  • NSU has a higher acceptance rate (99.5%) 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 Northeastern State University (53% vs. 26%)
  • Graduates from Western Illinois University earn on average $5,800 more per year than NSU graduates after ten years. ($46,000 vs. $40,200)
  • Northeastern State University students graduate with a $6,704 lower median federal student loan debt than Western Illinois University graduates. ($18,000 vs. $24,704)
  • NSU graduates are paying $69 less per month on federal student loans than Western Illinois University graduates. ($186 vs. $255)
  • More Western Illinois University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NSU students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 48%)

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