Payback
EarningsPlus
Economic score
Western Illinois University is a public regional university located in Macomb, Illinois. Western Illinois University is moderately inclusive in their admissions.
Return on educational investment at Western Illinois University is in the top 50% of all ranked schools. The median student earns $49,631 10 years after enrolling, 30th in Illinois, and in the top 50% nationally. When adjusted for earning differences by major, Western Illinois University bachelor students earn 3% less than the national average. Western Illinois University is ranked 17th in Illinois.
Western Illinois University’s median net annual cost of $15,305 and average years to graduate of 4.5 are reported only at the school level. We assume these same costs and graduation time for all programs.
The top 6 programs at Western Illinois University sorted by number of graduates - Criminal Justice, Liberal Arts and Sciences, Comms & Media Studies, Business Administration, Psychology, Education - are shown below. To see more programs, click on "see additional programs".
Annual net cost
$15,305
Average years to graduate
4.5
Registered Nursing
Rank: #239
Economic score: 2.01
Accounting
Rank: #268
Economic score: 2.64
Computer and Information Sciences
Rank: #209
Economic score: 2.83
Finance
Rank: #235
Economic score: 3.3
Health & Fitness
Rank: #68
Economic score: 3.91
Music
Rank: #29
Economic score: 4.33
Social Work
Rank: #113
Economic score: 5.37
Biology
Rank: #240
Economic score: 5.43
History
Rank: #168
Economic score: 6.09
Parks & Recreation Mgmt.
Rank: #30
Economic score: 9.82
EarningPlus compares the three-year post graduate earnings to the median earnings of the same graduating class, with the same graduate degree. These 2 metrics, debt-to-earnings and EarningsPlus, are combined into an economic score. The lower the economic score the better.
The most popular 6 graduate programs at Western Illinois University - Educ. Administration, Criminal Justice, Education, Business Administration, Health & Fitness, Student Counseling - are shown below. To see more programs, click on "see additional programs".
Accounting
Rank: #131
Economic score: 0.29
Parks & Recreation Mgmt.
Rank: #4
Economic score: 0.63
Biology
Rank: #24
Economic score: 0.65
Communication disorder sciences
Rank: #94
Economic score: 0.72
Educational media design
Rank: #50
Economic score: 0.72
Psychology
Rank: #129
Economic score: 0.89
Education (subject specific)
Rank: #146
Economic score: 1.02
Museum Studies
Rank: #7
Economic score: 1.03
The average full-time graduate completes their degree in 4.5 years. 60% of all students graduate within 8 years including part-time students. The graduation rate at Western Illinois University is 5% lower than the state average, and 3% above the average for all regional universities in the country.
At Western Illinois University, Pell Grant recipients represent 45% of the measured graduating class, 10% higher than the national average of 35%. The average Pell Grant recipient at Western Illinois University graduates within 4.6 years.
Western Illinois University is in the top 25% of schools for graduating Pell recipients.
We calculate this performance by adjusting the graduation rate of Pell students by their percentage of the student body. This adjustment is made to prevent schools with large numbers of Pell students from underperforming in comparison to schools with few Pell students but high graduation rates.
Western Illinois University’s economic mobility score of 29.28 is calculated by adjusting the 2.73 economic score of lower-income students by the 45% pell grant recipients within the student body. Western Illinois University’s EMS of 29.28 ranks in the top 25% nationally.false
Economic Mobility
To calculate economic mobility of low-income (household earnings below $30,000) students, we adjust each institution’s economic score by their percentage of Pell Grant students. The logic of this Pell-adjusted calculation is derived from Third Way’s Economic Mobility Index (EMI).
Top 25%
The average Title IV recipient at Western Illinois University pays $15,305 a year, $11,239 less than the $26,544 advertised. See below the cost breakdown for students who receive Title IV grants, broken down by income level.
Average net price
The average net price shown by income level for all students that receive Title IV aid. Calculated by deducting the average grant and scholarship aid from tuition, fees, books, and room and board. Limited to first-time, full-time students. Public institution figures are calculated using in-state tuition figures.
Median net price $15,305
Much of the gap between net price and sticker price is filled by institutional and government grants. At Western Illinois University, 94% of students receive some grants and scholarships, compared to the national average of 87% for all colleges and universities. The average amount of federal, state, and institutional grants that students receive is shown on the right.
This leaves a total of $15,305 on average to be covered by the student – be it through loans or out of pocket. In total, 51% of students take out loans, federal or private, at an average amount of $6,174. This is 3% less than the national average.
Federal grants
$5,417
Pell grants
$4,775
State grants
$5,081
Institutional grants
$7,173
Western Illinois University offers 17 online bachelor programs, 12 of which are held exclusively online. At the master’s level Western Illinois University offers 10 programs, 9 of which are held exclusively online. We use the IPEDS July '20 — July '21 Distance Education report to determine which programs are online. EarningsPlus data is provided when available.
Online programs
27
Hybrid programs
6
Percentage of programs online
24%
Western Illinois University's moderately inclusive admissions are indicated by their 72% acceptance rate. In 2021, the school had 7,156 applicants, of which 5,187 were admitted and 920 enrolled. Western Illinois University has a rolling admissions policy, which means applications are reviewed as they arrive until all spaces are filled.
Full time
90%
83%
Female
56%
59%
First time
52%
59%
In-state
91%
68%
1st generation
38%
35%
White
58%
52%
Black
22%
14%
Hispanic
13%
15%
Asian
1%
5%
American Indian
N/A
1.6%
Pacific Islander
N/A
0.3%
Other
6%
12%