Western Illinois University vs. University of Minnesota-Rochester

Should I go to Western Illinois University or University of Minnesota Rochester? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Western Illinois University or University of Minnesota-Rochester 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 Minnesota ISU Indiana State UW-Seattle Pitt SIUE University of Illinois at Springfield Central
Western Illinois University vs. University of Minnesota Rochester comparison
Western Illinois University University of Minnesota Rochester College 3 College 4
Western Illinois University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

Western Illinois University University of Minnesota-Rochester
Location Macomb, IL Rochester, MN
Setting Remote Town Midsize City
Enrollment 7,643 630
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #579
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website wiu.edu umn.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Western Illinois University University of Minnesota-Rochester
Tuition (In State) $9,515 $12,808
Tuition (Out of State) $9,515 $12,808
Room & Board $10,500 $12,882
Avg Net Price $11,213 $12,613
Avg Grant Aid $15,632 $11,833
% Receiving Grant Aid 94% 67%

Admission

Western Illinois University University of Minnesota-Rochester
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 9,219 1,198
Admitted 6,914 859
Acceptance Rate 75% 71.7%
Enrolled % 15.5% 22.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.45 -
Typical High School Grades B+ -
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Challenging
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 18/24 20/26
SAT Range 880/1090 1058/1331
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jul 31, 2024

Academics

Western Illinois University University of Minnesota-Rochester
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%)

Outcomes

Western Illinois University University of Minnesota-Rochester
Graduation Rate 53% -
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $46,000 $58,200
Making Student Loan Payments 61% 74%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,704 $20,185
Median Loan Payment $255 $208

Diversity

Western Illinois University University of Minnesota-Rochester
% Men 43% 20%
% Women 57% 80%
Racial Diversity Medium Low
HBCU No No
% White 62% 79%
% Black 19% 6%
% Hispanic 11% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 2%
% International 2% 1%
% Unknown Race 2% 0%

Students

Western Illinois University University of Minnesota-Rochester
% In-State 89% 78%
% Out-of-State 10% 21%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Western Illinois University is larger than than University of Minnesota-Rochester based on total student enrollment (7,643 students vs. 630 students)

Western Illinois University vs. University of Minnesota-Rochester Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Western Illinois University or University of Minnesota-Rochester?

  • University of Minnesota Rochester is 34.6% more expensive to attend than Western Illinois University for in-state tuition ($12,808.00 vs. $9,515.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 34.6% higher at University of Minnesota-Rochester than Western Illinois University ($12,808.00 vs. $9,515.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Illinois University than University of Minnesota-Rochester ($11,213 vs. $12,613)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Illinois University are 22.7% lower than costs at University of Minnesota Rochester ($10,500 vs. $12,882)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Western Illinois University than University of Minnesota Rochester (94% vs. 67%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Western Illinois University students is 32.1% larger than aid received University of Minnesota Rochester ($15,632 vs. $11,833)

Western Illinois University vs. University of Minnesota-Rochester Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at University of Minnesota Rochester (1110) is 140 points higher than at Western Illinois University (970)
  • Incoming University of Minnesota-Rochester students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at Western Illinois University (21)
  • Western Illinois University has a higher acceptance rate (75%) than University of Minnesota-Rochester (71.7%)

Western Illinois University vs. University of Minnesota-Rochester Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Western Illinois University or University of Minnesota-Rochester? 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 University of Minnesota-Rochester and Western Illinois University.

  • Graduates from University of Minnesota Rochester earn on average $12,200 more per year than Western Illinois University graduates after ten years. ($58,200 vs. $46,000)
  • University of Minnesota Rochester students graduate with a $4,519 lower median federal student loan debt than Western Illinois University graduates. ($20,185 vs. $24,704)
  • University of Minnesota-Rochester graduates are paying $47 less per month on federal student loans than Western Illinois University graduates. ($208 vs. $255)
  • More University of Minnesota-Rochester graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Western Illinois University students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 61%)

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