Western Illinois University vs. University of South Carolina-Upstate

Should I go to Western Illinois University or University of South Carolina Upstate? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Western Illinois University or University of South Carolina-Upstate 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 South Carolina Upstate comparison
Western Illinois University University of South Carolina Upstate College 3 College 4
Western Illinois University
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Overview

Western Illinois University University of South Carolina-Upstate
Location Macomb, IL Spartanburg, SC
Setting Remote Town Midsize Suburban
Enrollment 7,643 4,913
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #579 #823
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website wiu.edu uscupstate.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Western Illinois University University of South Carolina-Upstate
Tuition (In State) $9,515 $11,208
Tuition (Out of State) $9,515 $22,170
Room & Board $10,500 $9,520
Avg Net Price $11,213 $13,835
Avg Grant Aid $15,632 $12,038
% Receiving Grant Aid 94% 99%

Admission

Western Illinois University University of South Carolina-Upstate
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 9,219 3,090
Admitted 6,914 2,428
Acceptance Rate 75% 78.6%
Enrolled % 15.5% 28.3%
Avg High School GPA 3.45 2.53
Typical High School Grades B+ C+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/24 20/25
SAT Range 880/1090 950/1150
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 South Carolina-Upstate
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (16%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (14%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (12%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Communication (6%)
  • Health Professions (26%)
  • Education (20%)
  • Business (17%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (8%)
  • Psychology (6%)

Outcomes

Western Illinois University University of South Carolina-Upstate
Graduation Rate 53% 39%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $46,000 $39,300
Making Student Loan Payments 61% 55%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,704 $22,500
Median Loan Payment $255 $232

Diversity

Western Illinois University University of South Carolina-Upstate
% Men 43% 32%
% Women 57% 68%
Racial Diversity Medium High
HBCU No No
% White 62% 56%
% Black 19% 29%
% Hispanic 11% 5%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 4%
% International 2% 2%
% Unknown Race 2% 2%

Students

Western Illinois University University of South Carolina-Upstate
% In-State 89% 92%
% Out-of-State 10% 6%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Western Illinois University is larger than than University of South Carolina-Upstate based on total student enrollment (7,643 students vs. 4,913 students)

Western Illinois University vs. University of South Carolina-Upstate Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Western Illinois University or University of South Carolina-Upstate?

  • University of South Carolina Upstate is 17.8% more expensive to attend than Western Illinois University for in-state tuition ($11,208.00 vs. $9,515.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 133% higher at University of South Carolina-Upstate than Western Illinois University ($22,170.00 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 South Carolina-Upstate ($11,213 vs. $13,835)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Carolina Upstate are 10.3% lower than costs at Western Illinois University ($9,520 vs. $10,500)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of South Carolina Upstate than Western Illinois University (99% vs. 94%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Western Illinois University students is 29.9% larger than aid received University of South Carolina Upstate ($15,632 vs. $12,038)

Western Illinois University vs. University of South Carolina-Upstate Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Western Illinois University (970) is 20 points higher than at University of South Carolina-Upstate (950)
  • Incoming Western Illinois University students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (21) than students at University of South Carolina-Upstate (20)
  • Accepted freshman Western Illinois University students have a 0.92 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at University of South Carolina-Upstate (2.53)
  • University of South Carolina-Upstate has a higher acceptance rate (78.6%) than Western Illinois University (75%)

Western Illinois University vs. University of South Carolina-Upstate Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Western Illinois University or University of South Carolina-Upstate? 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 South Carolina-Upstate and Western Illinois University.

  • The graduation rate at Western Illinois University is higher than University of South Carolina Upstate (53% vs. 39%)
  • Graduates from Western Illinois University earn on average $6,700 more per year than University of South Carolina-Upstate graduates after ten years. ($46,000 vs. $39,300)
  • University of South Carolina Upstate students graduate with a $2,204 lower median federal student loan debt than Western Illinois University graduates. ($22,500 vs. $24,704)
  • University of South Carolina-Upstate graduates are paying $23 less per month on federal student loans than Western Illinois University graduates. ($232 vs. $255)
  • More Western Illinois University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of South Carolina-Upstate students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 55%)

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