Western Illinois University
A good fit for students who want accessible admissions and families looking for lower cost. freshman retention is below 65%. a public school with 4,410 students.
About This School
Western Illinois University is a public institution located in Macomb, Illinois with approximately 4,410 undergraduate students enrolled. Western Illinois University has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 71%. The average net price after financial aid is $12,937 per year. The graduation rate is 45%, and the typical graduate earns $47,500 within 10 years of enrollment.
Western Illinois University (WIU) is a public university in Macomb, Illinois, United States. It was founded in 1899 as Western Illinois State Normal School. As the normal school grew, it became Western Illinois State Teachers College. Once Western Illinois started offering graduate degrees, it again changed its name to Western Illinois State College. Western Illinois has an additional campus in Moline.
The numbers tell a mixed story here: the $11,592 average net price is genuinely affordable, and a $19,762 median debt load is reasonable relative to the $47,500 median earnings graduates see a decade out. The real concern is a 45% graduation rate paired with a 59% freshman retention rate — meaning roughly 4 in 10 students who start here don't finish, which is worth taking seriously before enrolling. Worth considering if you're cost-conscious and have a clear plan to stay engaged, but students who need strong academic support structures or a highly motivating campus environment may want to compare options carefully.
Popular Programs
Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.
Notable Alumni
Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.
Admissions
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Cost & Financial Aid
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual cost after grants/scholarships, by household income. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Financial Aid
Full Cost
After Graduation
Earnings 6 Years After Enrollment, by Gender
Gap: 17% less for female graduates. National avg ~16%.
Will This School Pay Off?
Solid return. Earnings outpace debt, though major choice matters.
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.
Student Body
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (4,410 undergraduates).
Contact & Location
Official Links
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Sources & Methodology
Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.
School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.
- Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
- Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
- Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
- Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
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