Western Illinois University (WIU) vs Illinois State

Western Illinois University (WIU) and Illinois State University (ISU) are two public universities located in Illinois, each offering a unique educational experience. WIU, situated in Macomb, has an acceptance rate of 86%, while ISU, located in Normal, has a slightly higher acceptance rate of 90%. Both universities offer a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs, with popular majors including Business, Education, and Health Sciences at WIU, and Business, Education, and Psychology at ISU. WIU's student body is predominantly White (68%) and female (56%), while ISU's student body is more diverse, with a larger percentage of Black (13%) and Hispanic (12%) students, and a more even gender distribution. In terms of graduation rates, ISU has a slightly higher four-year graduation rate (38%) compared to WIU's (33%). To help you make an informed decision about which university is the right fit for

	Illinois State University	Western Illinois University
Overview
Location	Normal, Illinois	Macomb, Illinois
Campus setting	Suburb: Midsize	Town: Remote
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Public	Public
Calendar system	Semester	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	83.0%	72.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	91.5%	72.5%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $50 Graduate: $50	Undergraduate: $30 Graduate: $30
SAT range	1000 - 1200	N/A
ACT range	21 - 27	N/A
Students submitting SAT score	51.0%
Students submitting ACT score	19.0%
Total number of applicants	11,913	7,156
Total number of admissions given out	10,905	5,187
Admitted students who chose to enroll	3,374	920
Yield rate	30.9%	17.7%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Required
Recommendation letters	Not required	Not required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	In state: $31,811 Out of state: $43,335	$29,140
Average net price	$21,033	$11,666
Tuition	In state: $11,524 Out of state: $23,048	$9,238
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $5,494 Meal plan: $4,652	Room/dormitory: $6,240 Meal plan: $3,952
Available payment plans	Guaranteed tuition plan Tuition payment plan	Guaranteed tuition plan Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	91.0% Average amount $10,848	94.0% Average amount $13,937
Students receiving federal student loan	46.0% Average amount $5,065	50.0% Average amount $5,417
Students taking out private loans	8.0% Average amount $14,532	5.0% Average amount $9,533

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	17,674 Men 43.0% Women 57.0%	5,394 Men 43.5% Women 56.5%
Graduate students	2,559 Men 35.1% Women 64.9%	2,061 Men 42.9% Women 57.1%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Low
Out-of-state students	4.2%	9.7%
International students	2.8%	8.8%
Campus local/setting	Suburb: Midsize	Town: Remote
Dormitory capacity	5,560	3,083
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	Illinois Missouri Wisconsin Michigan Iowa	Illinois Iowa Missouri Wisconsin Indiana

Academics
Popular study areas	Education Health Professions Business Communication and Journalism Computer and Information Science	Education Business Liberal Arts Kinesiology & Leisure Studies Health Professions
Students to faculty ratio	19:1	13:1
Institutional accreditation	Higher Learning Commission	Higher Learning Commission

Outcome
Graduation rate	67.3%	50.9%
Dropout rate	32.0%	16.5%
Transferred out	N/A	31.2%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $97,556 Year 2: $95,930 Year 3: $102,485 Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $68,002 Year 2: $64,990 Year 3: $78,276 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $78,303 Year 2: $72,884 Year 3: $77,896 Construction Management (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $65,576 Year 2: $67,101 Year 3: $73,936 Management Information Systems and Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $52,516 Year 2: $63,005 Year 3: $73,592 Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $62,000 Year 2: $64,791 Year 3: $70,358 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $63,829 Year 2: $65,194 Year 3: $65,533 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $57,294 Year 2: $54,996 Year 3: $64,567 Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $52,313 Year 2: $52,781 Year 3: $64,241 Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $54,480 Year 2: $54,470 Year 3: $63,207	Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $59,427 Year 2: $63,166 Year 3: $79,149 Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $68,346 Year 2: $81,702 Year 3: $72,457 Engineering Technology, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $55,220 Year 2: $60,771 Year 3: $65,823 Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $57,318 Year 3: $64,904 Construction Management (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $51,827 Year 2: $52,941 Year 3: $64,741 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $60,966 Year 2: $58,334 Year 3: $63,350 Communication Disorders Sciences and Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $46,154 Year 2: $49,729 Year 3: $54,520 Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $42,063 Year 2: $43,612 Year 3: $53,379 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $56,058 Year 2: $48,667 Year 3: $52,271 Educational/Instructional Media Design (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $56,853 Year 2: $52,107 Year 3: $51,827

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between Western Illinois University (WIU) and Illinois State University (ISU)?

WIU, located in Macomb, is known for its strong agriculture program, smaller class sizes, and a more rural setting. ISU, in Normal, is larger, offers a broader range of programs, including a well-regarded education program, and has a more traditional college town atmosphere. WIU often appeals to students seeking a close-knit community, while ISU attracts those looking for a wider variety of academic and social opportunities.
Which university is larger, WIU or ISU?

Illinois State University (ISU) is significantly larger than Western Illinois University (WIU). ISU typically has a higher student enrollment, offering a broader range of programs and resources due to its size.
How do the academic programs at WIU and ISU compare?

Both WIU and ISU offer a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs. WIU is particularly strong in agriculture, law enforcement, and music. ISU excels in education, business, and the performing arts. Consider your specific academic interests when deciding which university aligns best with your goals.
What is the campus environment like at WIU versus ISU?

WIU offers a more intimate and close-knit campus environment in a smaller town. This can lead to stronger relationships with faculty and a greater sense of community. ISU, being in a larger town, provides a more diverse and bustling campus environment with a wider array of social activities and opportunities.
How do the costs of attending WIU and ISU compare?

Tuition and fees can vary between WIU and ISU. It's best to check the official websites of both universities for the most up-to-date information. Also, consider the cost of living in Macomb (WIU) versus Normal (ISU), as this can impact your overall expenses. Scholarship opportunities are available at both institutions, so be sure to explore those as well.
What are the athletic programs like at WIU and ISU?

Both WIU and ISU have NCAA Division I athletic programs. ISU competes in the Missouri Valley Conference, while WIU competes in the Ohio Valley Conference. ISU generally has a larger athletic program with more sports offerings and a higher profile. If athletics are a significant factor in your college decision, research the specific sports you're interested in at each university.
What are the career services and internship opportunities like at WIU and ISU?

Both WIU and ISU offer career services to help students with internships, job placement, and career planning. ISU, due to its larger size and location, may have a broader network of employers and internship opportunities, particularly in fields like business and technology. WIU, however, provides personalized attention and strong connections within its specific areas of expertise, such as agriculture and law enforcement.
How do the locations of WIU and ISU differ, and how might that affect my college experience?

WIU is located in Macomb, a smaller, more rural town in western Illinois. This offers a quieter, more focused academic environment. ISU is located in Normal, a larger town that is part of the Bloomington-Normal metropolitan area. This provides more access to shopping, dining, entertainment, and internship opportunities. Consider which type of environment best suits your personality and preferences.
What kind of student organizations and extracurricular activities are available at WIU and ISU?

Both universities offer a wide variety of student organizations and extracurricular activities, ranging from academic clubs to Greek life to recreational sports. ISU, with its larger student body, generally has a greater number and diversity of organizations. However, WIU's smaller size can make it easier to get involved and take on leadership roles.
Which university is better for international students, WIU or ISU?

Both WIU and ISU welcome international students and offer support services to help them adjust to life in the United States. ISU, with its larger international student population, may have more established resources and programs specifically tailored to international students. However, WIU's smaller size can provide a more personalized and supportive environment.

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