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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.
Western Illinois University is a public university located in Macomb, IL. This academic institution uses 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%.
Learn more about what Western Illinois University has to offer based on the most recent data this institution has reported.
Quick Facts
4,525
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
14:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
45%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
Discovering as much as possible about the school's criteria for admission maximizes your chances of getting admitted. Here are the most important facts you have to know about admission policy and requirements at Western Illinois University.
According to the newest data, this institution uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 6,174 in 2025. As far as admission difficulty is considered, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is moderately difficult to get into.
Test Scores
37.22% of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students submitted their SAT scores for admission, and 6.15% submitted ACT scores, out of the total number of those who submitted test scores. 1.27% of the enrolled 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% of the students between 800 and 999, and 9.32% between 600 and 799. The percent of new 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 you'll most likely need an above-average GPA to get accepted.
Retention Rate
The percentage of first-year students at a college or university who stay on for their second year is known as the freshman retention rate. When you make your list of possible schools to attend, you should consider the freshman retention rate, among other things.
As reported in 2025, the freshman retention rate for Western Illinois University was 61.36%.
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 have a better understanding of the school's culture and way of life by learning more about the student body.
Main Student Body
In 2025, the school had an enrollment of 6,332 students.
That year, the institution had 13% of students coming from another state. The total number of undergraduate students enrolled at the institution was 4,525, 198 of which were foreign students. The school admitted a total of 596 transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
The student body is coeducational, with 1,913 male and 2,611 female full-time students in 2025. 320 full-time graduate men and 384 full-time graduate women attended 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. Diversity promotes critical thinking, challenges preconceived notions, and encourages intellectual growth, so it helps students develop empathy and a broader understanding of the world. Find out more about different ethnic groups you can meet at Western Illinois University.
In 2025, out of the total number of students enrolled at the institution, the number of Asian students was 57, and the number of African American students was 823. 526 undergraduate students at this school declared as Hispanic/Latino and 156 as multirace. The school also had 7 students who declared as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, and 4 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 88 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
Before you send an application to any college or university, you should take into account the financial component. Here are some important facts 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.
If you are an area resident, your tuition was $10,296.9. For students who don't live in the state in which the university is located, the tuition was $10,296.9 in 2025. If you are an international student at Western Illinois University, you should know that the 2025 tuition came to $15,445. Full-time students in 2025 had 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
The estimated cost of books and supplies for a college or university should also be taken into account as another significant expense. Most students have to pay about $1,200 for books and supplies during their time at Western Illinois University.
Boarding
Before you apply to a college or university, you should, among other things, think about the price of a dorm room and cafeteria meals. What do schools typically charge for room and board?
The cost of room and board (on campus) per academic year at Western Illinois University was $11,888 in 2025. Room-only (on campus) cost per academic year at this school stood at $7,327, according to the data from 2025. 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
Be it a grant, loan, scholarship, or work-study program, any type of financial aid can be a great deal for a number of students. Check out some recent data to get informed about need-based and non-need-based aid you might get at Western Illinois University.
The most recent figures show that financial help was given to 732 freshmen.
Need-based
If you need help with paying for your studies and you meet certain eligibility requirements, you may be eligible for need-based aid.
1,746 students were awarded 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 added up to $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.
Institutional non-need-based scholarships or grants were given to 2,042 students overall (including freshmen) at Western Illinois University in 2025. Institutional grants or scholarships that are not based on financial need were given to 629 full-time freshman. Federal non-need-based scholarships and grants totaled $9,106,259 for students at this institution, while state aid came to $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. $178,813 was the amount that the students at this institution got from external sources (like Kiwanis and National Merit).
Majors
Faculty
14:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
The student-to-faculty ratio can tell you a lot about the teaching resources a school provides for its students.
According to the most recent data, the student-faculty ratio at Western Illinois University was 14:1: that means 14 students per one teacher.
Campus Life
It is not all about learning and grades at Western Illinois University: campus life is a crucial component of your educational experience. Find out some information about campus life at Western Illinois University.
Its campus is 1,050 acres in size.
Student Organizations
Joining multiple student organizations can provide you a more interesting and dynamic experience.
There are 242 student organizations and groups with open membership at this school. This number includes sororities and fraternities. 23 percent of male and 14 of female students are involved in different organizations at Western Illinois University. The student organization that attracts the greatest number of students 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. For students interested in 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.
24/7 emergency phone and alarm devices are available. The school's dormitory entrances are operated electronically. There is a round-the-clock security patrol. The transport/escort service operates during late hours.
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 all you need for a comfortable stay.
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. There is campus employer recruitment for all the students.
Job Placement
Understanding the potential salary after graduating can be of help in determining if a specific educational institution matches your professional aspirations.
Within six months of graduation, this school's students can expect an average base annual starting salary of 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 reported acceptance rate for Western Illinois University is 71%.
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The most recent data indicate that the 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.
