Western Illinois University vs. UVa-Wise

Should I go to Western Illinois University or The University of Virginia's College at Wise? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Western Illinois University or UVa-Wise 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. The University of Virginia's College at Wise comparison
Western Illinois University The University of Virginia's College at Wise College 3 College 4
Western Illinois University The University of Virginia's College at Wise
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Overview

Western Illinois University UVa-Wise
Location Macomb, IL Wise, VA
Setting Remote Town Distant Town
Enrollment 7,643 1,704
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #579 #750
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website wiu.edu uvawise.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Western Illinois University UVa-Wise
Tuition (In State) $9,515 $6,040
Tuition (Out of State) $9,515 $25,419
Room & Board $10,500 $11,919
Avg Net Price $11,213 $9,923
Avg Grant Aid $15,632 $14,299
% Receiving Grant Aid 94% 98%

Admission

Western Illinois University UVa-Wise
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 9,219 835
Admitted 6,914 631
Acceptance Rate 75% 75.6%
Enrolled % 15.5% 39.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.45 3.57
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/24 19/25
SAT Range 880/1090 915/1160
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2024

Academics

Western Illinois University UVa-Wise
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 (28%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (21%)
  • Business (17%)
  • General Studies (10%)
  • History (7%)

Outcomes

Western Illinois University UVa-Wise
Graduation Rate 53% 39%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $46,000 $42,100
Making Student Loan Payments 61% 57%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,704 $20,827
Median Loan Payment $255 $215

Diversity

Western Illinois University UVa-Wise
% Men 43% 40%
% Women 57% 60%
Racial Diversity Medium Low
HBCU No No
% White 62% 78%
% Black 19% 12%
% Hispanic 11% 2%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 0%
% International 2% 0%
% Unknown Race 2% 7%

Students

Western Illinois University UVa-Wise
% In-State 89% 76%
% Out-of-State 10% 21%

Campus

Western Illinois University UVa-Wise
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 UVa-Wise based on total student enrollment (7,643 students vs. 1,704 students)

Western Illinois University vs. UVa-Wise Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Western Illinois University or UVa-Wise?

  • Western Illinois University is 57.5% more expensive to attend than UVa-Wise for in-state tuition ($9,515.00 vs. $6,040.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 167.1% higher at UVa-Wise than Western Illinois University ($25,419.00 vs. $9,515.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at The University of Virginia's College at Wise than Western Illinois University ($9,923 vs. $11,213)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Illinois University are 13.5% lower than costs at The University of Virginia's College at Wise ($10,500 vs. $11,919)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at The University of Virginia's College at Wise than Western Illinois University (98% vs. 94%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Western Illinois University students is 9.3% larger than aid received The University of Virginia's College at Wise ($15,632 vs. $14,299)

Western Illinois University vs. UVa-Wise Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Western Illinois University (970) is 28 points higher than at UVa-Wise (942)
  • Incoming Western Illinois University students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (21) than students at UVa-Wise (20)
  • Accepted freshman UVa-Wise students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at Western Illinois University (3.45)
  • UVa-Wise has a higher acceptance rate (75.6%) than Western Illinois University (75%)

Western Illinois University vs. UVa-Wise Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Western Illinois University or UVa-Wise? 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 UVa-Wise and Western Illinois University.

  • The graduation rate at Western Illinois University is higher than The University of Virginia's College at Wise (53% vs. 39%)
  • Graduates from Western Illinois University earn on average $3,900 more per year than UVa-Wise graduates after ten years. ($46,000 vs. $42,100)
  • The University of Virginia's College at Wise students graduate with a $3,877 lower median federal student loan debt than Western Illinois University graduates. ($20,827 vs. $24,704)
  • UVa-Wise graduates are paying $40 less per month on federal student loans than Western Illinois University graduates. ($215 vs. $255)
  • More Western Illinois University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UVa-Wise students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 57%)

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