Western Illinois University

www.wiu.edu

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    2024 Undergraduate Tuition
    $9,662
    3.24% growth from 2023
    2024 Average Net Price
    $14,208
    After Financial Aid
    2024 Acceptance Rate
    71.2%
    8,674 Applicants
    2024 Enrolled Students
    6,332
    71.4% Full-Time
    2024 Graduation Rate
    45.2%
    416 Graduates

    About

    Western Illinois University is a higher education institution located in McDonough County, IL. In 2024, the most popular Masters Degree concentrations at Western Illinois University were General Computer & Information Sciences (214 degrees awarded), General Business Administration & Management (73 degrees), and General Statistics (65 degrees).

    In 2024, 1,984 degrees were awarded across all undergraduate and graduate programs at Western Illinois University. 54.4% of these degrees were awarded to women, and 45.6% awarded men. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients was white (1,043 degrees), 5.49 times more than then the next closest race/ethnicity group, black or african american (190 degrees).

    The median undergraduate tuition at Western Illinois University is $9,662, which is $−14,338 less than the national average for Masters Colleges and Universities ($24,000).

    Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger ProgramsMasters Colleges and Universities

    Costs

    In 2024, the median undergraduate tuition at Western Illinois University is $9,662, which is $14,338 less than the national average for Masters Colleges and Universities ($24,000).

    After taking grants and loans into account, the average net price for students is $14,208.

    In 2024, 62% of undergraduate students attending Western Illinois University received financial aid through grants. Comparatively, 32% of undergraduate students received financial aid through loans.

    Tuition Costs

    $9,662
    2024 Undergraduate Tuition

    In 2024, the cost of tuition at Western Illinois University was $9,662. The cost of tuition at Western Illinois University is $−14,338 less than than the overall (public and private) national average for Masters Colleges and Universities ($24,000).

    This chart compares the tuition costs of Western Illinois University (in red) with those of other similar universities.

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    Average Net Price

    $14,208
    2024 Value
    16.8%
    1 Year Growth

    In 2024 Western Illinois University had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $14,208. Between 2023 and 2024, the average net price of Western Illinois University grew by 16.8%.

    This chart compares the average net price of Western Illinois University (in red) with that of other similar universities.

    Average net price is calculated from full-time beginning undergraduate students who were awarded a grant or scholarship from federal, state or local governments, or the institution.

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    Other Student Expenses

    $10,920
    Room and Board
    $1,200
    Books and Supplies

    The average yearly cost of room and board at Western Illinois University was of $10,920 in 2024. The cost of room and board increased by 4% between 2023 and 2024.

    During the same period, the average yearly cost of books and supplies was $1,200. The cost of books and supplies did not change during the same period.

    This chart compares the average student costs at Western Illinois University (in red) with that of similar universities.

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    Financial Aid by Income Level

    62%
    Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants
    32%
    Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans

    62% of undergraduate students at Western Illinois University received financial aid through grants or loans in 2024. This represents a decline of 13.9% with respect to 2023, when 72% of undergraduate students received financial aid.

    This chart compares the average award discount at Western Illinois University (in red) with that of other similar universities.

    The average award discount is the ratio between the average grant or scholarship value, and the cost, which is the sum of out-of-state tuition, room, board, book, supplies, and other expenses.

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    Admissions

    Western Illinois University received 8,674 undergraduate applications in 2024, which represents a 2.3% annual growth. Out of those 8,674 applicants, 6,174 students were accepted for enrollment, representing a 71.2% acceptance rate.

    There were 6,332 students enrolled at Western Illinois University in 2024. 79% of first-time enrollees submitted SAT scores with their applications.

    Western Illinois University has an overall enrollment yield of 10.3%, which represents the number of admitted students who ended up enrolling.

    Acceptance Rate

    71.2%
    Acceptance Rate in 2024
    6,174
    Accepted Out of 8,674

    In 2024, the undergraduate acceptance rate of Western Illinois University was 71.2% (6,174 admissions from 8,674 applications). This is lower than the acceptance rate of 2023, which was 75%. Between 2023 and 2024, the number of applicants grew by 2.3%, while admissions declined by 2.86%.

    This chart compares the acceptance rate of Western Illinois University (in red) with that of other similar universities, and the chart below shows the acceptance rate by gender.

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    SAT Scores

    79%
    Submission Percentage (2020)
    838
    Scores Submitted (2020)

    79% of enrolled first-time students at Western Illinois University in 2020 submitted SAT scores with their applications.

    The following chart shows the average SAT scores for the 25th, 50th, and 75th percentile of applicants for each section of the test that they are evaluated on.

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    Enrollment

    Western Illinois University had a total enrollment of 6,332 students in 2024. The full-time enrollment at Western Illinois University is 4,524 students and the part-time enrollment is 1,808. This means that 71.4% of students enrolled at Western Illinois University are enrolled full-time.

    The enrolled student population at Western Illinois University, both undergraduate and graduate, is 57.1% White, 15.3% Black or African American, 10.4% Hispanic or Latino, 2.95% Two or More Races, 1.42% Asian, 0.111% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.111% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders.

    Students enrolled at Western Illinois University in full-time Undergraduate programs are most commonly White Female (32%), followed by White Male (23.7%) and Black or African American Female (12.7%). Students enrolled in full-time Graduate programs are most commonly White Female (18.8%), followed by White Male (10.9%) and Black or African American Female (3.47%).

    Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment

    71.4%
    Full-Time Enrollment

    The total enrollment at Western Illinois University in 2024, both undergraduate and graduate, is 6,332 students. The full-time enrollment at Western Illinois University is 4,524 and the part-time enrollment is 1,808. This means that 71.4% of students enrolled at Western Illinois University are enrolled full-time compared with 67.1% at similar Masters Colleges and Universities.

    This chart shows the full-time vs part-time enrollment status at Western Illinois University (in red) compares to similar universities.

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    Retention Rate over Time

    61%
    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. The retention rate for full-time undergraduates at Western Illinois University was 61%. Compared with the full-time retention rate at similar Masters Colleges and Universities (73%), Western Illinois University had a retention rate lower than its peers.

    This chart shows the retention rate over time at Western Illinois University (highlighted in red) compares to similar universities.

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    Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity

    Most Common Race or Ethnicity (2024)
    1. White
      3,615 enrolled students
    2. Black or African American
      966 enrolled students
    3. Hispanic or Latino
      661 enrolled students

    The enrolled student population at Western Illinois University is 57.1% White, 15.3% Black or African American, 10.4% Hispanic or Latino, 2.95% Two or More Races, 1.42% Asian, 0.111% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.111% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders. This includes both full-time and part-time students as well as graduate and undergraduates. By comparison, enrollment for all Masters Colleges and Universities is 47.4% White, 18.8% Hispanic or Latino, and 13.6% Black or African American.

    Any student who is studying in the United States on a temporary basis is categorized as a "Non-Resident Alien", and the share of those students are shown in the chart below. Additionally, 147 students (2.32%) did not report their race.

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    Graduates

    In 2024, 174 more women than men received degrees from Western Illinois University. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients at Western Illinois University is white (1,043 degrees awarded). There were 5.49 times more white recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, black or african american (190 degrees).

    The most common Masters Degree concentration at Western Illinois University is General Computer & Information Sciences (214 degrees awarded), followed by General Business Administration & Management (73 degrees) and General Statistics (65 degrees).

    In 2024,  the most specialized majors across all degree types at Western Illinois University, meaning they have significantly more degrees awarded in that concentration than the national average across all institutions, are Math & Statistics (79 degrees awarded), Protective Services (222 degrees), and Agriculture (62 degrees).

    Common Jobs by Major

    Other managers
    Most Common Job

    The most common jobs for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Western Illinois University are Other managers (191,459 people), Postsecondary teachers (146,798 people), Police officers (144,182 people), Secondary school teachers (118,122 people), and Software developers (117,715 people).

    The most specialized majors at Western Illinois University in 2024 are Math & Statistics (79 degrees awarded), Protective Services (222 degrees), Agriculture (62 degrees), Physical Sciences (41 degrees), and Parks, Recreation, & Leisure (61 degrees) (as of 2024).

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    Highest Paying Jobs by Major

    Surgeons
    Highest Paying Job

    The highest paying jobs for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Western Illinois University are Surgeons, Cardiovascular technologists and technicians, Physicians, Magnetic resonance imaging technologists, and Securities, commodities, & financial services sales agents

    The most specialized majors at Western Illinois University are Math & Statistics (79 degrees awarded), Protective Services (222 degrees), Agriculture (62 degrees), Physical Sciences (41 degrees), and Parks, Recreation, & Leisure (61 degrees) (as of 2024).

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    Common Industries by Major

    Justice, public order, & safety activities
    Most Common Industry

    The most common industries for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Western Illinois University are Justice, public order, & safety activities (338,795 people), Elementary & secondary schools (322,512 people), Colleges, universities & professional schools, including junior colleges (301,181 people), General medical and surgical hospitals, and specialty (except psychiatric and substance abuse) hospitals (198,775 people), and Computer Systems Design (175,974 people).

    The most specialized majors at Western Illinois University are Math & Statistics (79 degrees awarded), Protective Services (222 degrees), Agriculture (62 degrees), Physical Sciences (41 degrees), and Parks, Recreation, & Leisure (61 degrees) (as of 2024).

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    Majors Awarded

    IPEDS uses the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) standard, so the categories may not match the exact concentrations offered by Western Illinois University.
    Most Common (2024)
    1. Criminal Justice - Law Enforcement Administration
      166 degrees awarded
    2. Other Liberal Arts & Sciences, General Studies, & Humanities
      134 degrees awarded
    3. General Psychology
      76 degrees awarded

    In 2024, the most common bachelors degree concentration at Western Illinois University was Criminal Justice - Law Enforcement Administration with 166 degrees awarded.

    This visualization illustrates the percentage of degree-majors recipients from bachelors degree programs at Western Illinois University according to their major.

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    Sex Breakdown for Common Majors

    905
    Degrees Awarded to Men
    in 2024
    1,079
    Degrees Awarded to Women
    in 2024

    In 2024, 905 degrees were awarded to men at Western Illinois University, which is 0.839 times less than the number of degrees awarded to females (1,079).

    This chart displays the sex disparity between the top 5 majors at Western Illinois University by degrees awarded.

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    Most Common Male Majors

    In 2024, 154 degrees were awarded to men at Western Illinois University in General Computer & Information Sciences, which is 2.03 times more than the 76 female recipients with that same degree.

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    Most Common Female Majors

    In 2024, 94 degrees were awarded to men at Western Illinois University in Criminal Justice - Law Enforcement Administration, which is 0.879 times less than the 107 male recipients with that same degree.

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    Time to Complete

    28%
    100% Completion Time
    47%
    150% Completion Time

    In 2024, 28% of students graduating from Western Illinois University completed their program within 100% "normal time" (i.e. 4 years for a 4-year degree). Comparatively, 47% completed their degrees within 150% of the normal time, and 49% within 200%.

    The following chart shows these completion rates over time compared to the average for the Masters Colleges and Universities Carnegie Classification group.

    Graduation rate is defined as the percentage of full-time, first-time students who received a degree or award within a specific percentage of "normal time" to completion for their program.

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    Race & Ethnicity by Share

    Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity (2024)
    1. White
      1,043 degrees awarded
    2. Black or African American
      190 degrees awarded
    3. Hispanic or Latino
      186 degrees awarded

    The most common race/ethnicity at Western Illinois University is white (1,043 degrees awarded). There were 5.49 times more white recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, black or african american (190 degrees).

    1.61% of degree recipients (32 students) did not report their race.

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    Race & Ethnicity by Sex

    Most Common Sex Demographic (2024)
    1. White Male
      1,237 degrees awarded
    2. White Female
      1,206 degrees awarded
    3. White Male
      1,202 degrees awarded

    The most common race/ethnicity and sex grouping at Western Illinois University is white male (1,237 degrees awarded). There were 1.03 times more white male recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, white female (1,206 degrees).

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    Operations

    Western Illinois University has an endowment valued at nearly $97.4M, as of the end of the 2024 fiscal year. The return on its endowment was of 1.59M (1.63%) compared to the 9.2% average return (4.22M on 45.9M) across all Masters Colleges and Universities.

    In 2024, Western Illinois University had a total salary expenditure of 208M. Western Illinois University employs 200 Professors, 73 Associate professors and 62 Assistant professors. Most academics at Western Illinois University are Male Professor (126), Female Professor (74), and Female Instructor (37).

    The most common positions for non-instructional staff at Western Illinois University are: Service, with 148 employees, Librarians, Curators, Archivists, and Academic Affairs and Other Education Services, with 140 employees, and Office and Administrative Support with 99 employees.

    Endowment

    $97.4M
    2024 Endowment
    13.7%
    growth from 2023

    Western Illinois University has an endowment valued at about $97.4M, as of the end of the 2024 fiscal year. The endowment of Western Illinois University grew 13.7% from the previous year. The value of their endowment was $51.5M higher than than the median endowment of Masters Colleges and Universities according to the Carnegie Classification grouping.

    This line chart shows how the endowment at Western Illinois University (in red) compares to that of some similar universities.

    The small bar chart below shows the endowment quintiles for all universities in the Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs Carnegie Classification grouping.

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    Government Grants and Contracts

    Grants & Contracts
    1. $9.49M - Federal
    2. $6.07M - State
    3. $84.4k - Local

    As of 2024, Western Illinois University received $9.49M in grants and contracts from the federal government, $6.07M from state grants and contracts, and $84.4k from local grants and contracts.

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    Salary Expenditure

    $94.3M
    2024 Salaries
    3.51%
    growth from 2023

    In 2024, Western Illinois University paid a median of $94.3M in salaries, which represents 45.3% of their overall expenditure ($208M) and a 3.51% growth from the previous year. This is compared to a 2.17% growth between 2022 and 2023, and a 3.52% growth between 2021 and 2022.

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    Instructional Salaries

    $36.4M
    Instructional Salaries
    385
    Number of Employees

    In 2024, Western Illinois University paid a total of $36.4M to 385 employees working as instructors, which represents 38.6% of all salaries paid.

    This is compared to a median of $965k (3.13%) for similar Masters Colleges and Universities.

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    Occupations by Share

    In 2024, the most common positions for non-instructional staff at Western Illinois University were Service with 148 employees, Librarians, Curators, Archivists, and Academic Affairs and Other Education Services with 140 employees, and Office and Administrative Support with 99 employees.

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