Western Illinois University vs. University of Wisconsin-River Falls

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

Western Illinois University University of Wisconsin-River Falls
Location Macomb, IL River Falls, WI
Setting Remote Town Distant Town
Enrollment 7,643 5,188
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #579 #793
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website wiu.edu uwrf.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Western Illinois University University of Wisconsin-River Falls
Tuition (In State) $9,515 $6,428
Tuition (Out of State) $9,515 $14,421
Room & Board $10,500 $8,094
Avg Net Price $11,213 $13,427
Avg Grant Aid $15,632 $4,489
% Receiving Grant Aid 94% 86%

Admission

Western Illinois University University of Wisconsin-River Falls
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 9,219 4,091
Admitted 6,914 3,456
Acceptance Rate 75% 84.5%
Enrolled % 15.5% 29.3%
Avg High School GPA 3.45 3.44
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Moderate
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/24 19/25
SAT Range 880/1090
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 Wisconsin-River Falls
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 18:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (16%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (14%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (12%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Communication (6%)
  • Agriculture (17%)
  • Business (15%)
  • Education (13%)
  • Communication (10%)
  • Social Sciences (7%)

Outcomes

Western Illinois University University of Wisconsin-River Falls
Graduation Rate 53% 51%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $46,000 $44,100
Making Student Loan Payments 61% 75%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,704 $22,725
Median Loan Payment $255 $234

Diversity

Western Illinois University University of Wisconsin-River Falls
% Men 43% 35%
% Women 57% 65%
Racial Diversity Medium Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 62% 89%
% Black 19% 2%
% 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 Wisconsin-River Falls
% In-State 89% 47%
% Out-of-State 10% 53%

Campus

Western Illinois University University of Wisconsin-River Falls
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 Wisconsin-River Falls based on total student enrollment (7,643 students vs. 5,188 students)

Western Illinois University vs. University of Wisconsin-River Falls Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Western Illinois University or University of Wisconsin-River Falls?

  • Western Illinois University is 48% more expensive to attend than University of Wisconsin-River Falls for in-state tuition ($9,515.00 vs. $6,428.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 51.6% higher at University of Wisconsin-River Falls than Western Illinois University ($14,421.00 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 Wisconsin-River Falls ($11,213 vs. $13,427)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin River Falls are 29.7% lower than costs at Western Illinois University ($8,094 vs. $10,500)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Western Illinois University than University of Wisconsin River Falls (94% vs. 86%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Western Illinois University students is 248.2% larger than aid received University of Wisconsin River Falls ($15,632 vs. $4,489)

Western Illinois University vs. University of Wisconsin-River Falls Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at University of Wisconsin River Falls (1050) is 80 points higher than at Western Illinois University (970)
  • Incoming University of Wisconsin-River Falls students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Western Illinois University (21)
  • Accepted freshman Western Illinois University students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at University of Wisconsin-River Falls (3.44)
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls has a higher acceptance rate (84.5%) than Western Illinois University (75%)

Western Illinois University vs. University of Wisconsin-River Falls Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Western Illinois University or University of Wisconsin-River Falls? 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 Wisconsin-River Falls and Western Illinois University.

  • The graduation rate at Western Illinois University is higher than University of Wisconsin River Falls (53% vs. 51%)
  • Graduates from Western Illinois University earn on average $1,900 more per year than University of Wisconsin-River Falls graduates after ten years. ($46,000 vs. $44,100)
  • University of Wisconsin River Falls students graduate with a $1,979 lower median federal student loan debt than Western Illinois University graduates. ($22,725 vs. $24,704)
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls graduates are paying $21 less per month on federal student loans than Western Illinois University graduates. ($234 vs. $255)
  • More University of Wisconsin-River Falls graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Western Illinois University students, three years after graduation. (75% vs. 61%)

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