Western Illinois University vs. Purdue Northwest

Western Illinois University and Purdue University Northwest side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Western Illinois University
Purdue University Northwest

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Western Illinois University (71.2% admitted vs 72.4%). Typical SAT 990 vs 1020.
  • Cheaper after aid: Purdue Northwest. Average net price is $7,916 vs $14,208 at Western Illinois University.
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Key differences

Western Illinois University Purdue University Northwest
Acceptance rate
Western Illinois University more selective
Western Illinois University71.2%
Purdue Northwest72.4%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Purdue Northwest higher
Western Illinois University880-1090
Purdue Northwest890-1140
Average net price
Purdue Northwest $6,292 less
Western Illinois University$14,208
Purdue Northwest$7,916
In-state tuition
Purdue Northwest $6,589 less
Western Illinois University$15,264
Purdue Northwest$8,675
Out-of-state tuition
Western Illinois University $830 less
Western Illinois University$15,264
Purdue Northwest$16,094
Graduation rate
Western Illinois University +53 pts
Western Illinois University53%
Purdue Northwest-
Median earnings (10 years)
Western Illinois University +$46,000
Western Illinois University$46,000
Purdue Northwest-

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Western Illinois University 8,674
  • Purdue Northwest 8,617
  • Admitted
  • Western Illinois University 6,174
  • Purdue Northwest 6,235
  • Acceptance rate
  • Western Illinois University 71.2%
  • Purdue Northwest 72.4%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Western Illinois University 10.3%
  • Purdue Northwest 18.3%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Western Illinois University 990
  • Purdue Northwest 1020
  • Typical ACT score
  • Western Illinois University 21
  • Purdue Northwest 20
  • Average high school GPA
  • Western Illinois University 3.45
  • Purdue Northwest 3.19
  • Typical high school grades
  • Western Illinois University B+
  • Purdue Northwest B+
  • Admissions standards
  • Western Illinois University Extremely Easy
  • Purdue Northwest Very Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • Western Illinois University Low
  • Purdue Northwest Low
  • SAT range
  • Western Illinois University 880-1090
  • Purdue Northwest 890-1140
  • ACT range
  • Western Illinois University 18-24
  • Purdue Northwest 16-24
  • Submit test scores
  • Western Illinois University Test-free
  • Purdue Northwest Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Western Illinois University
  • Purdue Northwest Aug 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Western Illinois University $15,264
  • Purdue Northwest $8,675
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Western Illinois University $15,264
  • Purdue Northwest $16,094
  • Room & board
  • Western Illinois University $11,320
  • Purdue Northwest $8,907
  • Average net price
  • Western Illinois University $14,208
  • Purdue Northwest $7,916
  • Average grant aid
  • Western Illinois University $14,994
  • Purdue Northwest $6,992
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Western Illinois University 53%
  • Purdue Northwest 89%
  • Graduation rate
  • Western Illinois University 53%
  • Purdue Northwest -
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Western Illinois University $46,000
  • Purdue Northwest N/A
  • Making student loan payments
  • Western Illinois University 61%
  • Purdue Northwest -
  • Median student loan debt
  • Western Illinois University $24,704
  • Purdue Northwest N/A
  • Median loan payment
  • Western Illinois University $255
  • Purdue Northwest N/A
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Western Illinois University 12:1
  • Purdue Northwest 17:1
  • Popular majors
  • Western Illinois University
    • Business (16%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (14%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (12%)
    • Education (8%)
    • Communication (6%)
  • Purdue Northwest
  • Location
  • Western Illinois University Macomb, IL
  • Purdue Northwest Hammond, Indiana
  • Setting
  • Western Illinois University Remote Town
  • Purdue Northwest Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Western Illinois University 6,332
  • Purdue Northwest 9,051
  • Type
  • Western Illinois University Public 4 Year
  • Purdue Northwest Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Western Illinois University #571
  • Purdue Northwest

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Illinois University in Macomb, IL with Purdue University Northwest in Hammond, Indiana on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Purdue University Northwest is larger than Western Illinois University based on total student enrollment (9,051 students vs. 6,332 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Western Illinois University is located in Macomb, IL (Remote Town setting); Purdue University Northwest is in Hammond, Indiana (Large Suburban setting).
  • Western Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Purdue University Northwest is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Illinois University 12:1; Purdue University Northwest 17:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Purdue University Northwest are 21.3% lower than at Western Illinois University ($8,907 vs. $11,320).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 5.4% higher at Purdue Northwest than at Western Illinois University (about $830 more per year; $16,094 vs. $15,264).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Purdue University Northwest than at Western Illinois University (89% vs. 53%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Western Illinois University students is 114.4% larger than aid received by Purdue University Northwest students ($14,994 vs. $6,992).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Western Illinois University than at Purdue Northwest (21 vs. 20, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test-free at Western Illinois University, test optional at Purdue Northwest.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Purdue Northwest Aug 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Western Illinois University average a 3.45 high school GPA, 0.26 higher than at Purdue Northwest (3.19).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.3% at Western Illinois University vs. 18.3% at Purdue Northwest.

Loans and repayment

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

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