Western Illinois University vs. Parkside

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Illinois University in Macomb, IL with University of Wisconsin Parkside in Kenosha, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Western Illinois University is larger than Parkside based on total student enrollment (6,332 students vs. 3,925 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Illinois University is located in Macomb, IL (Remote Town setting); University of Wisconsin Parkside is in Kenosha, WI (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Western Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Wisconsin Parkside is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Illinois University 12:1; University of Wisconsin Parkside 20:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin Parkside are 22.7% lower than at Western Illinois University ($8,750 vs. $11,320).
• Out-of-state tuition is 14.2% higher at Parkside than at Western Illinois University (about $2,165 more per year; $17,429 vs. $15,264).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Wisconsin Parkside than at Western Illinois University (56% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Illinois University students is 97.3% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin Parkside students ($14,994 vs. $7,598).

Admissions details

• Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Western Illinois University than at Parkside (21 vs. 20, midpoint estimate).
• SAT or ACT scores are test-free at Western Illinois University, test optional at Parkside.
• Enrolled first-year students at Western Illinois University average a 3.45 high school GPA, 0.14 higher than at Parkside (3.31).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.3% at Western Illinois University vs. 26.1% at Parkside.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Wisconsin Parkside graduates have a $1,739 lower median loan debt than Western Illinois University graduates ($22,965 vs. $24,704).
• Among borrowers, Parkside graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Western Illinois University graduates ($237 vs. $255).
• More Western Illinois University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Parkside students, three years after graduation (61% vs. 54%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.