Western Illinois University Acceptance Rate & Tuition (2026)
Western Illinois University is a public research university in Macomb, Illinois, serving roughly 4,410 students. Admission is moderately selective for first-time degree-seeking undergraduates reporting admissions data to the Education Department. The acceptance rate is about 71.18% in the latest College Scorecard admissions data. Median earnings about ten years after entry reach about $54,163 among students who received federal aid.
Key Facts
- 2024 Undergraduate Tuition: $15,264
- 2024 Average Net Price: $12,937 After Financial Aid
- 2024 Acceptance Rate: 71.18% Moderate Selectivity
- 2024 Enrolled Students: 4,410 84.7% Full-Time
- 2024 Graduation Rate: 45.22%
- Carnegie Classification: Master's Colleges and Universities: Medium Programs
- First-Generation Students: 37.7%
- Tuition trend: In-state tuition increase of 3.8% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Net price trend: Average net price decrease of 3.3% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Full-Time Faculty: 85.4%
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 5,182
- Applicants (IPEDS): 8,479
- Room & Board: $11,320 annual estimate
Western Illinois University: what the data shows
Common questions about Western Illinois University, answered from College Scorecard and IPEDS in this repository.
Where is Western Illinois University?
Western Illinois University is located in Macomb, IL (ZIP 61455).
NCES locale classification: Town remote.
Is Western Illinois University public or private?
Western Illinois University is a Public institution.
How much does Western Illinois University cost?
Published tuition: $15,264.
Average net price after aid: $12,937.
| Family income band | Avg. net price |
|---|---|
| Family income $0–$30,000 | $6,941 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $8,787 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $12,062 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $16,294 |
| $110,001+ | $19,701 |
Sticker tuition × four years (estimate, no room/board): $61,056.
How hard is it to get into Western Illinois University?
Admission rate: 71.18%.
Scorecard does not publish admitted-student GPA for most institutions.
How big is Western Illinois University?
Total enrollment: 4,410 students.
Undergraduate enrollment: 5,182 students.
Graduate enrollment: 1,807 students.
About 85% enroll full-time in our extract.
What is the graduation rate at Western Illinois University?
150%-time completion rate: 45.22%.
First-year retention: 61.4%.
What do graduates of Western Illinois University earn?
Median earnings: $43,057 six years after entry; $54,163 ten years after entry (College Scorecard).
How much debt do students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers: $25,251.
28.06% of students receive Pell grants.
What is Western Illinois University known for?
Largest IPEDS program completions at this institution:
- Computer and Information Sciences, General (230 completions)
- Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement Administration (201 completions)
- Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities, Other (134 completions)
- Business Administration and Management, General (107 completions)
- Psychology, General (85 completions)
- Elementary Education and Teaching (67 completions)
- Statistics, General (65 completions)
- 00.0010 (62 completions)
- Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods, Other (51 completions)
- Biology/Biological Sciences, General (47 completions)
See ROI & Programs for more.
Is Western Illinois University a good school?
We do not score schools on opinion. Federal data in our extract show admission rate 71.18%; completion rate 45.22%; median earnings $54,163 at 10 years; net price $12,937. Compare these figures to your cost, aid, and career goals.
Tuition & Cost
Tuition Costs
$15,264
2024 Undergraduate Tuition
In 2024, the cost of tuition at Western Illinois University was $15,264.
Tuition comparison with similar institutions.
Average Net Price
$12,937
2024 Value
In 2024 Western Illinois University had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $12,937.
Average net price comparison with similar institutions.
Total Cost of Attendance
$51,748 Estimated 4-Year Total Cost
$12,937 Average Annual Net Price (after aid)
$61,056 4-Year Tuition
$11,320 Room & Board (annual, on-campus estimate)
$1,200 Books & Supplies (annual estimate)
$27,784 Estimated Annual Sticker (tuition + room/board + books)
$111,136 Estimated 4-Year Sticker (before aid)
4-year total cost breakdown for Western Illinois University.
Financial Aid by Income Level
28.06% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants
31.74% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans
Financial aid distribution by income level.
Student Loan Default Rate
0.00%
3-year cohort default rate (College Scorecard)
The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at Western Illinois University was 0.00%.
Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.
Tuition tracker
Published tuition and average net price by reporting year come from the College Scorecard institution file. Values are not adjusted for inflation; missing cells mean the field was not reported or was suppressed for Western Illinois University in that year.
Reporting years in the table below: 2013–2023 (Scorecard labels refer to the institutional submission cycle).
| Year | In-state tuition & fees | Out-of-state tuition & fees | Average net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | $11,767 | $15,969 | $18,373 |
| 2014 | $12,217 | $16,533 | $17,988 |
| 2015 | $12,889 | $17,291 | $17,219 |
| 2016 | $12,655 | $16,926 | $17,022 |
| 2017 | $12,897 | $12,897 | $15,844 |
| 2018 | $12,951 | $12,951 | $15,970 |
| 2019 | $13,256 | $13,256 | $16,210 |
| 2020 | $13,314 | $13,314 | $15,305 |
| 2021 | $13,669 | $13,669 | $11,663 |
| 2022 | $14,406 | $14,406 | $11,990 |
| 2023 | $14,952 | $14,952 | $11,592 |
Sticker tuition and net price over time
Where the institution reported separate in-state and out-of-state tuition, both appear. Gaps mean the value was not reported for that year.
College Scorecard reporting-year fields (not inflation-adjusted).
Net price by family income
Brackets follow Scorecard definitions for the series shown (public vs private institution).
Latest income-band net prices available in the processed extract.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
Acceptance Rate
71.18% Acceptance Rate
8,479 Total Applicants
6,356 Students Admitted
968 First-Time Students Enrolled
15.23% Yield (enrolled ÷ admitted)
This institution has a moderate acceptance rate, accepting most qualified applicants.
Acceptance rate compared to national average.
Test Scores
Test score data is not available for this institution.
Average SAT and ACT scores for admitted students.
Academic Requirements
GPA requirements are not published by this institution. Contact the admissions office for specific academic requirements.
Estimated GPA and test score ranges.
Enrollment & Student Demographics
Western Illinois University reported total enrollment of about 4,410 students in the latest College Scorecard extract. The student body is about 41% male and 59% female. Enrollment by race and ethnicity includes White (57.9%), Black or African American (18.7%), and Hispanic or Latino (11.9%). About 28.06% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. Roughly 37.7% of students are first-generation college students.
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
84.7% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at Western Illinois University in 2024 is 4,410 students.
Undergraduate enrollment is about 5,182 students. Graduate enrollment is about 1,807 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
61.4%
2024 Retention Rate
Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall.
Retention rate over time compared to similar institutions.
Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity
The largest enrollment share in our College Scorecard extract is White at 57.9%.
Shares are for total enrollment (undergraduate and graduate combined when reported).
College Scorecard student demographics.
Graduates & Outcomes
Time to Complete
30.54% 100% Completion Time
45.22% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 30.54% of students graduating from Western Illinois University completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
Completions by Sex (Top Programs)
- Computer and Information Sciences, General: 67% male / 33% female
- Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement Administration: 53% male / 47% female
- Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities, Other: 52% male / 48% female
IPEDS completions by sex for the five largest programs (aggregate CIPs excluded).
Completions by Race & Ethnicity
Combined IPEDS award counts across reported programs; largest group: White.
Summed across program completion records in our extract.
ROI & Programs
Financial value and program information for Western Illinois University.
Return on Investment
$25,251 Median Student Debt
$54,163 Median Annual Earnings (10 years)
46.62% Debt-to-Earnings Ratio
946.67% Return on Investment
4.7 years Estimated Payback Period
Financial value analysis for Western Illinois University.
Top Programs by Completions
10 largest programs by IPEDS completions (of 84 reported codes; aggregate/unknown CIP buckets excluded).
1. Computer and Information Sciences, General: 230 completions
2. Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement Administration: 201 completions
3. Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities, Other: 134 completions
4. Business Administration and Management, General: 107 completions
5. Psychology, General: 85 completions
6. Elementary Education and Teaching: 67 completions
7. Statistics, General: 65 completions
8. 00.0010: 62 completions
9. Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods, Other: 51 completions
Most popular programs at Western Illinois University.
Employment Outcomes
Employment outcome data is not available for this institution.
Earnings outcomes for Western Illinois University graduates.
Operations
Instructional staffing and expenditure indicators for Western Illinois University from College Scorecard (not a full IPEDS finance statement).
Instructional Resources
- Full-time faculty share: 85.4%
- Average faculty salary (Scorecard): $10,238
- Instructional expenditure per FTE: $12,650
Endowment and detailed non-instructional staff counts require IPEDS Finance/HR surveys and are not in this extract.
Scorecard instructional metrics where reported.
About
Western Illinois University is a public institution located in Macomb, IL, classified as Master's Colleges and Universities: Medium Programs. In the latest IPEDS completions in our extract, the largest programs by awards were Computer and Information Sciences, General, Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement Administration, Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities, Other. Enrollment is approximately 4,410 students. Student body composition includes White (57.9%), Black or African American (18.7%), Hispanic or Latino (11.9%). The admission rate is 71.18%. The 150%-time completion rate is 45.22%. Approximately 28.06% of students receive Pell Grants. About 37.7% of students are first-generation college students.
Institution Type
Public
Carnegie Classification: Master's Colleges and Universities: Medium Programs
Location
Macomb, IL 61455
Region: Great Lakes
Insights and Analysis
Diverse Program Offerings: With over 84 distinct degree programs, Western Illinois University provides students with a wide range of academic options. This diversity allows students to explore various fields and find programs that align with their interests and career goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Western Illinois University located?
Western Illinois University is located in Macomb, IL.
What is Western Illinois University's acceptance rate?
The acceptance rate at Western Illinois University is 71.2% among first-time degree-seeking students reporting admissions data. IPEDS reports 8,479 applicants and 6,356 admits in the latest admissions cycle in our extract.
How much does Western Illinois University cost?
Reported tuition is $15,264 and average net price is $12,937 in the latest College Scorecard data. On-campus room and board is estimated at $11,320 annually.
What is the student body demographics at Western Illinois University?
Western Illinois University reports undergraduate enrollment of about 5,182 students, White (57.9%), Black or African American (18.7%) in federal College Scorecard data.
How many first-generation students attend Western Illinois University?
About 37.7% of students at Western Illinois University are first-generation college students.
What do graduates of Western Illinois University earn?
Median earnings are $43,057 six years after entry and $54,163 ten years after entry.
What is the graduation rate at Western Illinois University?
The 150%-time completion rate is 45.2% for the cohort reported to the College Scorecard.
How much debt do Western Illinois University students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers is $25,251.
Is Western Illinois University public or private?
Western Illinois University is a public institution located in Macomb, IL.
Is Western Illinois University an HBCU?
No. Western Illinois University is not flagged as an HBCU in the IPEDS institutional directory.
Is Western Illinois University a tribal college?
No. Western Illinois University is not flagged as a tribal college in IPEDS.
Is Western Illinois University a Hispanic-serving institution (HSI)?
Using a 25% Hispanic enrollment threshold on College Scorecard demographics, Western Illinois University does not meet that proxy (reported share 11.9%).
Data Sources
This page uses data from the following sources:
- College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
- Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- Employment and wage data by occupation
- Latest data: May 2024
- Source: bls.gov/oes
- O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
- Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
- Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
- Source: onetcenter.org
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
- Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
- Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
- Demographic and workforce data
- Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
- Source: census.gov/acs
- Related geography & profiles
- Illinois college costs
- Illinois colleges by ROI
- Great Lakes regional profile
- All state profiles
- Regional profiles
- National benchmarks
- School directory
- All schools in Illinois
Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.
Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.
Methodology
Data for this profile is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard dataset, which provides comprehensive information on institutions of higher education in the United States.
All financial figures are adjusted for inflation and represent the most recent available data. Graduation rates and completion times are calculated according to federal standards.