Western Illinois University vs. University of St. Mary

Should I go to Western Illinois University or University of Saint Mary? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Western Illinois University or University of St. Mary 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. University of Saint Mary comparison
Western Illinois University University of Saint Mary College 3 College 4
Western Illinois University
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Overview

Western Illinois University University of St. Mary
Location Macomb, IL Leavenworth, KS
Setting Remote Town Distant Town
Enrollment 7,643 1,267
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #579 #725
Religious Affiliation - Roman Catholic - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website wiu.edu stmary.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Western Illinois University University of St. Mary
Tuition (In State) $9,515 $31,450
Tuition (Out of State) $9,515 $31,450
Room & Board $10,500 $9,070
Avg Net Price $11,213 $21,887
Avg Grant Aid $15,632 $23,638
% Receiving Grant Aid 94% 100%

Admission

Western Illinois University University of St. Mary
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 9,219 1,489
Admitted 6,914 1,220
Acceptance Rate 75% 81.9%
Enrolled % 15.5% 16.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.45 3.36
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/24 16/23
SAT Range 880/1090 935/1066
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 University of St. Mary
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (16%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (14%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (12%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Communication (6%)
  • Health Professions (38%)
  • Business (13%)
  • Psychology (10%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)

Outcomes

Western Illinois University University of St. Mary
Graduation Rate 53% 42%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $46,000 $41,200
Making Student Loan Payments 61% 58%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,704 $23,750
Median Loan Payment $255 $245

Diversity

Western Illinois University University of St. Mary
% Men 43% 48%
% Women 57% 52%
Racial Diversity Medium High
HBCU No No
% White 62% 57%
% Black 19% 12%
% Hispanic 11% 16%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 1%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 2% 1%
% Unknown Race 2% 8%

Students

Western Illinois University University of St. Mary
% In-State 89% 48%
% Out-of-State 10% 50%

Campus

Western Illinois University University of St. Mary
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 University of St. Mary based on total student enrollment (7,643 students vs. 1,267 students)

Western Illinois University vs. University of St. Mary Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Western Illinois University or University of St. Mary ?

  • University of Saint Mary is 230.5% more expensive to attend than Western Illinois University for in-state tuition ($31,450.00 vs. $9,515.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 230.5% higher at University of St. Mary than Western Illinois University ($31,450.00 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 St. Mary ($11,213 vs. $21,887)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Saint Mary are 15.8% lower than costs at Western Illinois University ($9,070 vs. $10,500)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of Saint Mary than Western Illinois University (100% vs. 94%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Saint Mary students is 51.2% larger than aid received Western Illinois University ($23,638 vs. $15,632)

Western Illinois University vs. University of St. Mary Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at University of Saint Mary (978) is 8 points higher than at Western Illinois University (970)
  • Incoming Western Illinois University students have at the same average ACT score (21) as students at University of St. Mary (21)
  • Accepted freshman Western Illinois University students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at University of St. Mary (3.36)
  • University of St. Mary has a higher acceptance rate (81.9%) than Western Illinois University (75%)

Western Illinois University vs. University of St. Mary Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Western Illinois University or University of St. Mary ? 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 St. Mary and Western Illinois University.

  • The graduation rate at Western Illinois University is higher than University of Saint Mary (53% vs. 42%)
  • Graduates from Western Illinois University earn on average $4,800 more per year than University of St. Mary graduates after ten years. ($46,000 vs. $41,200)
  • University of Saint Mary students graduate with a $954 lower median federal student loan debt than Western Illinois University graduates. ($23,750 vs. $24,704)
  • University of St. Mary graduates are paying $10 less per month on federal student loans than Western Illinois University graduates. ($245 vs. $255)
  • More Western Illinois University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of St. Mary students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 58%)

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