Western Illinois University vs. WKU

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Illinois University in Macomb, IL with Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, KY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Western Kentucky University is larger than Western Illinois University based on total student enrollment (16,291 students vs. 6,332 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Illinois University is located in Macomb, IL (Remote Town setting); Western Kentucky University is in Bowling Green, KY (Small City setting).
• Western Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Illinois University 12:1; Western Kentucky University 19:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Illinois University are 10% lower than at Western Kentucky University ($11,320 vs. $12,582).
• Out-of-state tuition is 76.9% higher at WKU than at Western Illinois University (about $11,736 more per year; $27,000 vs. $15,264).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Kentucky University than at Western Illinois University (99% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Illinois University students is 37.3% larger than aid received by Western Kentucky University students ($14,994 vs. $10,921).

Admissions details

• Typical ACT composite is 3 points higher at Western Illinois University than at WKU (21 vs. 18, midpoint estimate).
• SAT or ACT scores are test-free at Western Illinois University, test optional at WKU.
• Typical fall application deadline: WKU Aug 1, 2027.
• Enrolled first-year students at Western Illinois University average a 3.45 high school GPA, 0.03 higher than at WKU (3.42).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.3% at Western Illinois University vs. 30.2% at WKU.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Kentucky University graduates have a $454 lower median loan debt than Western Illinois University graduates ($24,250 vs. $24,704).
• Among borrowers, WKU graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Western Illinois University graduates ($250 vs. $255).
• More Western Illinois University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WKU students, three years after graduation (61% vs. 47%).

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