Western Illinois University vs. Ripon College

Should I go to Western Illinois University or Ripon College? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Western Illinois University or Ripon College 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

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

EIU Northern Illinois ISU Southern Illinois University Indiana State SIUE University of Illinois at Springfield Central UIC Cornell College Cleveland State Illinois
Western Illinois University vs. Ripon College comparison
Western Illinois University Ripon College College 3 College 4
Western Illinois University Ripon College
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

 Western Illinois University Ripon College
Location Macomb, IL Ripon, WI
Setting Remote Town Rural Fringe
Enrollment 7,643 766
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #579
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website wiu.edu ripon.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Western Illinois University Ripon College
Tuition (In State) $9,515 $49,300
Tuition (Out of State) $9,515 $49,300
Room & Board $10,500 $9,490
Avg Net Price $11,213 $21,999
Avg Grant Aid $15,632 $38,826
% Receiving Grant Aid 94% 100%

Admission

 Western Illinois University Ripon College
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 9,219 2,142
Admitted 6,914 1,742
Acceptance Rate 75% 81.3%
Enrolled % 15.5% 11.3%
Avg High School GPA 3.45 3.41
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Moderate
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/24 20/27
SAT Range 880/1090 940/1160
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 Ripon College
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 14:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (16%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (14%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (12%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Communication (6%)
  • Social Sciences (14%)
  • Business (13%)
  • History (10%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (9%)
  • Psychology (9%)

Outcomes

 Western Illinois University Ripon College
Graduation Rate 53% 70%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $46,000 $49,200
Making Student Loan Payments 61% 77%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,704 $28,000
Median Loan Payment $255 $289

Diversity

 Western Illinois University Ripon College
% Men 43% 51%
% Women 57% 49%
Racial Diversity Medium Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 62% 83%
% Black 19% 3%
% Hispanic 11% 6%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 2%
% International 2% 4%
% Unknown Race 2% 1%

Students

 Western Illinois University Ripon College
% In-State 89% 63%
% Out-of-State 10% 35%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Western Illinois University is larger than than Ripon College based on total student enrollment (7,643 students vs. 766 students)

Western Illinois University vs. Ripon College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Western Illinois University or Ripon College?

  • Ripon College is 418.1% more expensive to attend than Western Illinois University for in-state tuition ($49,300.00 vs. $9,515.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 418.1% higher at Ripon College than Western Illinois University ($49,300.00 vs. $9,515.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Illinois University than Ripon College ($11,213 vs. $21,999)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ripon College are 10.6% lower than costs at Western Illinois University ($9,490 vs. $10,500)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Ripon College than Western Illinois University (100% vs. 94%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Ripon College students is 148.4% larger than aid received Western Illinois University ($38,826 vs. $15,632)

Western Illinois University vs. Ripon College Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Ripon College (1105) is 135 points higher than at Western Illinois University (970)
  • Incoming Ripon College students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at Western Illinois University (21)
  • Accepted freshman Western Illinois University students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at Ripon College (3.41)
  • Ripon College has a higher acceptance rate (81.3%) than Western Illinois University (75%)

Western Illinois University vs. Ripon College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Western Illinois University or Ripon College? 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 Ripon College and Western Illinois University.

  • The graduation rate at Ripon College is higher than Western Illinois University (70% vs. 53%)
  • Graduates from Ripon College earn on average $3,200 more per year than Western Illinois University graduates after ten years. ($49,200 vs. $46,000)
  • Western Illinois University students graduate with a $3,296 lower median federal student loan debt than Ripon College graduates. ($24,704 vs. $28,000)
  • Western Illinois University graduates are paying $34 less per month on federal student loans than Ripon College graduates. ($255 vs. $289)
  • More Ripon College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Western Illinois University students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 61%)

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