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Macomb , IL
Western Illinois University (WIU) is a public university located in Macomb, Illinois. It was established in 1899 and has since become one of the leading institutions in the region. WIU offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs across various fields of study, including the arts, sciences, business, education, and health sciences.
With a competitive and dedicated faculty, WIU is committed to providing high-quality education and fostering a supportive learning environment. The university boasts state-of-the-art facilities, modern classrooms, and well-equipped research laboratories, ensuring that students receive a comprehensive education that prepares them for their future careers.
Beyond academics, WIU offers a vibrant campus life filled with extracurricular activities and opportunities for personal growth. With over 200 student organizations, including clubs, fraternities, and sororities, there is something for everyone. The university also hosts numerous cultural and social events throughout the year, creating a diverse and inclusive community where students can thrive and form lifelong connections.
Overall, Western Illinois University provides a well-rounded educational experience that combines academic excellence with the development of practical skills and personal growth. WIU's commitment to preparing students for success, both in their chosen careers and in life, makes it an attractive choice for individuals seeking a comprehensive and rewarding college experience.
Located in Macomb, IL, Western Illinois University is a public university. This school follows a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 71%. The freshman retention rate at Western Illinois University is 61.36% and the six-year graduation rate is 45%.
Here are some recent information on important things to consider about Western Illinois University.
Quick Facts
4,525
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
12:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
45%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
If you know as much as possible about the school's criteria for admission, you can make a better judgment about your eligibility and boost your chances of getting accepted. Here are the most relevant information you need to know about admission at Western Illinois University.
According to the most recent data, this institution uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 6,174 in 2024. Looking at entrance difficulty level for all or most incoming freshmen, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is moderately difficult to get into.
Test Scores
Out of the number of applicants who submitted test scores, the percentage of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students who submitted SAT scores was 37.22% and ACT scores 6.15%. 1.27% of the first-year students submitted SAT composite scores between 1,400 and 1,600, 8.05% between 1,200 and 1,399, 39.83% between 1,000 and 1,199, 41.53% between 800 and 999, and 9.32% between 600 and 799. The percent of freshman students who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 5.13, 15.38 between 24-29, 53.85 in the range between 18-23, and 25.64 between 12-17.
The latest reported average GPA of the enrolled students was 3.48. That means that you need a GPA that's above average in order to get into Western Illinois University.
Retention Rate
What is the freshman retention rate? The freshman retention rate is the percentage of full-time students who entered the institution as freshmen in the previous academic year and returned for the fall term of the current academic year. This piece of data is important as it can reveal to the prospective students how many freshmen liked the school enough to return to it as sophomores.
The freshman retention rate for Western Illinois University was 61.36% in 2024.
Another important metric to consider is the graduation rate. This rate indicates how many students finish their degrees within a certain timeframe. The six-year graduation rate at this school is 45%.
Student Body
It is always challenging to figure out which school is best for you. You can get a better insight into a school's culture and life by finding out more about its student body.
Main Student Body
The total number of students enrolled at Western Illinois University in 2024 was 6,332.
That year, the institution had an out-of-state student body percentage of 13. There was a total of 4,525 those pursuing undergraduate studies, including 198 international students. 596 students enrolled as transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
The student body is coeducational, with 1,913 male and 2,611 female full-time students in 2024. There were 320 full-time graduate male and 384 full-time graduate female students at this school.
Student Population Diversity
When it comes to improving a sense of inclusion and belonging among students, there is no denying the importance of student diversity. In a diverse learning space, you will be exposed to people from different backgrounds, which promotes the feeling of inclusion and acceptance. Learn more about all the ethnic communities you might encounter at this institution.
This school had 57 Asian students and 823 Afro-American students in 2024. 526 undergrads at this school identified as Hispanic/Latino and 156 identified with more than one race. The school also had 7 students who identified as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, as well as 4 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 88 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
Before you submit an application to any college or university, you should take into account the financial component. Here are some important data on Western Illinois University costs that most students encounter at this school.
Tuition and Fees
Wondering about tuition at Western Illinois University? Here is what you need to know.
For the students who live in the area, the tuition cost was $10,296.9, as reported by public county or municipal institutions. Tuition fees were $10,296.9 for students coming from a different state. For international students, tuition fees at this school were $15,445. Full-time students in 2024 were mandated to pay additional fees in the amount of $3,047.
| Category | Tuition | Fees | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Out-of-State | $10,297 | $3,047 | $13,343 |
| In-State | $10,297 | $3,047 | $13,343 |
Books and Supplies
When you try to estimate the cost of attendance for a college or university, you need to take into account the cost of books and supplies you're going to need. Most students have to spend about $1,200 for books and supplies during their time at Western Illinois University.
Boarding
When choosing a college, you should factor in the price of a dorm room and meals at the school cafeteria. What do colleges and universities typically charge for accommodation and meals?
The cost of room and board (on campus) per academic year at Western Illinois University was $11,888 in 2024. The cost of a dorm room only at this school in 2024 totaled $7,327 for one academic year. The estimated expense of room-only (on campus) for commuters not living at home was also $7,327.
| Expense Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $ 10,297 |
| Room and Board | $ 11,888 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 1,200 |
| Total Expense | $ 23,385 |
Financial Aid
Getting some financial help in forms of grants, loans, scholarships or work-study programs can be vital for finishing your studies. Check out some recent data to get the information about need-based and non-need-based aid at Western Illinois University.
The most recent figures show that financial help was given to 732 freshmen.
Need-based
Need-based financial aid is exactly what it sounds like — it’s awarded based on the determined financial need.
1,746 students were granted some form of need-based financial aid. Need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid at Western Illinois University is available to international students. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution stood at $9,106,259, and state $13,495,162. The students of Western Illinois University received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $12,249,913, and external in the amount of $525,543.
$6,448
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Non-need-based financial aid is any type of financial aid provided to a student who does not meet the criteria for need-based aid. The most popular forms of non-need-based financial aid for students are loans and grants, like Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the Teacher Education Access for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant.
2,042 students, including freshmen, got institutional non-need-based financial aid at this institution in 2024. Institutional grants or scholarships that are not based on financial need were given to 629 full-time freshman. The total dollar amount of federal non-need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the studens at this school was $9,106,259 while the state aid is $9,853. The total amount of non-need-based institutional scholarships/grants was $4,787,200. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. The amount the students of this school received from external sources (e.g. Kiwanis, National Merit) was $178,813 USD.
Majors
Faculty
12:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
The student-to-faculty ratio can tell you a lot about the teaching resources a school provides for its students.
In 2024, this ratio at Western Illinois University was 12:1. That means that there were 12 times more students than teachers at this school.
Campus Life
Knowing what to expect out of campus life at a college or university can set you up for success. Check out some information about campus life at Western Illinois University.
Its campus spans 1,050 acres.
Student Organizations
Being a member of a student organization will make you connect better with your fellow students and enjoy your college years more.
There are 242 student organizations and groups with open membership at this school. Sororities and fraternities are included in that number. The percentage of male students who are members of organizations is 23 and female students 14. The most popular student organization is Inter Hall Council, followed by RockyTHON Dance Marathon and University Union Board. Other popular organizations at Western Illinois University are Black Student Association and Student Government Association.
If you are interested in music, you can join the Western Illinois University band or chorus. There is a drama club you can join if acting is something that interests you. You have a talent for media and communication? Western Illinois University publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.
Student Services
Western Illinois University has a number of services necessary for a comfortable and secure life on campus.
There are phone and alarm devices that can be accessed 24/7 for emergency situations. The school has electronically operated dormitory entrances. There is a security patrol that operates around the clock. The after-hours transportation/escort service is available.
This school has a health clinic with personal/psychological counseling. In addition, other services like Legal Services, Veteran's Affairs and Women's Center are available to the students of Western Illinois University.
All in all, campus life at Western Illinois University is rich and vibrant and provides everything most students need.
Career Services
Having career services at a college or university can mean a great deal for your career planning, so find out what you can expect at Western Illinois University.
Career Counselling
At Western Illinois University, there is both group career counseling for all students and individual career counseling for all students. There are a job bank and job fairs. Job interviews are also available to students through the career center. The career center offers resume preparation and resume referral to employers. The school has campus employer recruitment for all the students.
Job Placement
Having an understanding of the anticipated earnings after completing your education can be important in evaluating if a certain institution is compatible with your professional goals.
The average annual salary for graduates employed six months after graduation from this institution is 44,500 USD.
$44,500
Average Starting Salary After 6 Months of Graduation
FAQ
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Western Illinois University is located in Macomb, IL.
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Western Illinois University offers need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid to international students.
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This school uses standardized test scores for admission.
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The most recent data indicate that the acceptance rate for Western Illinois University is 71%.
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The most recent reported freshman retention rate for Western Illinois University is 61.36%.
Contact Information
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved. Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
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Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.