Western Illinois University vs. University of Wisconsin-Whitewater

Western Illinois University and University of Wisconsin Whitewater side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Western Illinois University
University of Wisconsin Whitewater

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Western Illinois University (71.2% admitted vs 85.7%). Typical SAT 990 vs N/A.
  • Cheaper after aid: University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. Average net price is $12,709 vs $14,208 at Western Illinois University.
  • Graduation: Western Illinois University 53% vs University of Wisconsin-Whitewater 54%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Western Illinois University $46,000 vs University of Wisconsin-Whitewater $44,600 (median).
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Key differences

Western Illinois University University of Wisconsin Whitewater
Acceptance rate
Western Illinois University more selective
Western Illinois University71.2%
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater85.7%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Western Illinois University higher
Western Illinois University880-1090
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater-
Average net price
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater $1,499 less
Western Illinois University$14,208
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater$12,709
In-state tuition
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater $6,648 less
Western Illinois University$15,264
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater$8,616
Out-of-state tuition
Western Illinois University $3,452 less
Western Illinois University$15,264
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater$18,716
Graduation rate
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater +1 pts
Western Illinois University53%
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater54%
Median earnings (10 years)
Western Illinois University +$1,400
Western Illinois University$46,000
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater$44,600

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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Check my chances at Western Illinois University Check my chances at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
  • Admission chances
  • Western Illinois University My Chances
  • University of Wisconsin-Whitewater My Chances
  • Applied
  • Western Illinois University 8,674
  • University of Wisconsin-Whitewater 10,187
  • Admitted
  • Western Illinois University 6,174
  • University of Wisconsin-Whitewater 8,732
  • Acceptance rate
  • Western Illinois University 71.2%
  • University of Wisconsin-Whitewater 85.7%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Western Illinois University 10.3%
  • University of Wisconsin-Whitewater 24.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Western Illinois University 990
  • University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
  • Typical ACT score
  • Western Illinois University 21
  • University of Wisconsin-Whitewater 21
  • Average high school GPA
  • Western Illinois University 3.45
  • University of Wisconsin-Whitewater 3.3
  • Typical high school grades
  • Western Illinois University B+
  • University of Wisconsin-Whitewater B+
  • Admissions standards
  • Western Illinois University Extremely Easy
  • University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Very Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • Western Illinois University Low
  • University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
  • SAT range
  • Western Illinois University 880-1090
  • University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
  • ACT range
  • Western Illinois University 18-24
  • University of Wisconsin-Whitewater 19-24
  • Submit test scores
  • Western Illinois University Test-free
  • University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Western Illinois University
  • University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Western Illinois University $15,264
  • University of Wisconsin-Whitewater $8,616
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Western Illinois University $15,264
  • University of Wisconsin-Whitewater $18,716
  • Room & board
  • Western Illinois University $11,320
  • University of Wisconsin-Whitewater $8,090
  • Average net price
  • Western Illinois University $14,208
  • University of Wisconsin-Whitewater $12,709
  • Average grant aid
  • Western Illinois University $14,994
  • University of Wisconsin-Whitewater $5,685
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Western Illinois University 53%
  • University of Wisconsin-Whitewater 51%
  • Graduation rate
  • Western Illinois University 53%
  • University of Wisconsin-Whitewater 54%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Western Illinois University $46,000
  • University of Wisconsin-Whitewater $44,600
  • Making student loan payments
  • Western Illinois University 61%
  • University of Wisconsin-Whitewater 69%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Western Illinois University $24,704
  • University of Wisconsin-Whitewater $24,971
  • Median loan payment
  • Western Illinois University $255
  • University of Wisconsin-Whitewater $258
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Western Illinois University 12:1
  • University of Wisconsin-Whitewater 21:1
  • Popular majors
  • Western Illinois University
    • Business (16%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (14%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (12%)
    • Education (8%)
    • Communication (6%)
  • University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
    • Business (36%)
    • Education (15%)
    • Social Sciences (10%)
    • Communication (8%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (5%)
  • Location
  • Western Illinois University Macomb, IL
  • University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Whitewater, WI
  • Setting
  • Western Illinois University Remote Town
  • University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Western Illinois University 6,332
  • University of Wisconsin-Whitewater 11,746
  • Type
  • Western Illinois University Public 4 Year
  • University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Western Illinois University #571
  • University of Wisconsin-Whitewater #838

Comparable Facts

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

University of Wisconsin Whitewater is larger than Western Illinois University based on total student enrollment (11,746 students vs. 6,332 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Western Illinois University is located in Macomb, IL (Remote Town setting); University of Wisconsin Whitewater is in Whitewater, WI (Distant Town setting).
  • Western Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Wisconsin Whitewater is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Illinois University 12:1; University of Wisconsin Whitewater 21:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin Whitewater are 28.5% lower than at Western Illinois University ($8,090 vs. $11,320).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 22.6% higher at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater than at Western Illinois University (about $3,452 more per year; $18,716 vs. $15,264).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Illinois University than at University of Wisconsin Whitewater (53% vs. 51%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Western Illinois University students is 163.7% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin Whitewater students ($14,994 vs. $5,685).

Admissions details

  • Incoming Western Illinois University students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 21) as students at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater (21).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test-free at Western Illinois University, test optional at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Western Illinois University average a 3.45 high school GPA, 0.15 higher than at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater (3.3).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.3% at Western Illinois University vs. 24.7% at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Illinois University graduates have a $267 lower median loan debt than University of Wisconsin-Whitewater graduates ($24,704 vs. $24,971).
  • Among borrowers, Western Illinois University graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Wisconsin-Whitewater graduates ($255 vs. $258).
  • More University of Wisconsin-Whitewater graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Western Illinois University students, three years after graduation (69% vs. 61%).

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

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