Overview
Enrollment
Western Illinois University, established in 1899, is located in the rural community of Macomb, Illinois, approximately 75 miles southwest of Peoria. The 1,000-acre main campus features a mix of historic and modern buildings, including several limestone structures dating to the early 20th century. As a public institution serving west-central Illinois, WIU maintains moderately selective admission standards and offers undergraduate and graduate programs across four academic colleges, with notable strengths in law enforcement, agriculture, education, and broadcasting. The university provides traditional residence halls and apartment-style housing for students, while its athletic program competes at the NCAA Division I level as the Leathernecks, particularly known for its football program within the Missouri Valley Football Conference.
Ratings
Overall
Academics
Resources
Outcomes
Value
Western Illinois University is rated within the lower 46% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 5 out of 10. Learn how ratings are calculated
Rankings
Rankings for Western Illinois University within the 2025 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
#663 in Best Colleges in the U.S.
#222 in Best Public Colleges in the U.S.
#33 in Best Colleges in Illinois
#8 in Best Public Colleges in Illinois
#120 in Best Value Colleges in Illinois
View the CollegeSimply ranking methodology.
Getting In
Admission Standards
| SAT | 880/1090 |
| ACT | 18/24 |
| GPA | 3.45 |
Applications Accepted
| Applications Due | - |
| Applicant Competition | Low |
| Application Fee | $30 |
Annual Cost to Attend
Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,200 |
| Other Fees | $5,151 |
| Room and Board | $10,920 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $1,776 |
| Total One Year Cost | $28,848 |
Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
| Subject | Percent of Class |
|---|---|
| Business | 16% |
| Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting | 14% |
| Liberal Arts and Humanities | 12% |
| Education | 8% |
| Communication | 6% |
Other Colleges to Consider
Students considering Western Illinois University are frequently interested in these similar colleges.
Questions and Answers
CollegeSimply Advisor posts about Western Illinois University.
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=149772 IPEDS survey data for Western Illinois University.
Current students may use the Western Illinois University GPA calculator to determine their current college GPA.
Last updated February 24, 2025