Skip to content

Colleges › Illinois › Western Illinois University

Western Illinois University

Western Illinois University is based in the town of Macomb, IL — a public campus in a small-town setting.

Compare this schoolFind colleges

What could it cost?

Start with net price after grants, then read the published costs. Each chart names its academic year and the students it covers.

Net price by family income

key chart

Average annual cost after grants for each family-income band. These group averages are not personal price quotes.

IPEDS Income brackets, 2022–23
family-income band
$6,968
family income
under $30k
$7,391
$30–48k
$11,608
$48–75k
$16,515
$75–110k
$17,621
over $110k

Average net price

$12,9372023–24Skip to data table

Average annual attendance cost after grants for the reported student group. Your own aid offer and costs may differ.

$12k$14k$16k$18k200820232008: $18,5252009: $16,0872010: $16,8852011: $17,3392012: $18,3732013: $17,9882014: $17,2192015: $17,0222016: $15,8442017: $15,9702018: $16,2102019: $15,3052020: $11,6632021: $11,9902022: $11,5922023: $12,937$12,937
$13k$15k$18k200820232008: $18,5252009: $16,0872010: $16,8852011: $17,3392012: $18,3732013: $17,9882014: $17,2192015: $17,0222016: $15,8442017: $15,9702018: $16,2102019: $15,3052020: $11,6632021: $11,9902022: $11,5922023: $12,937$12,937

Average net price at Western Illinois University fell from $18,525 (2008) to $12,937 (2023).

Average net price — data
YearNet price
2008$18,525
2009$16,087
2010$16,885
2011$17,339
2012$18,373
2013$17,988
2014$17,219
2015$17,022
2016$15,844
2017$15,970
2018$16,210
2019$15,305
2020$11,663
2021$11,990
2022$11,592
2023$12,937
IPEDS 16 federal reports, 2008–2023

Total cost of attendance

$28,2542024–25Skip to data table

Estimated annual attendance budget before grants, including tuition, fees, housing, food and books. Not every expense is billed by the school.

$20k$22k$24k$26k$28k200920242009: $20,1072010: $21,6922011: $22,4852012: $23,4202013: $24,3752014: $25,0742015: $25,2342016: $25,2802017: $24,8512018: $25,6862019: $25,7322020: $26,2872021: $25,7742022: $27,0392023: $27,8282024: $28,254$28,254
$20k$23k$25k$28k200920242009: $20,1072010: $21,6922011: $22,4852012: $23,4202013: $24,3752014: $25,0742015: $25,2342016: $25,2802017: $24,8512018: $25,6862019: $25,7322020: $26,2872021: $25,7742022: $27,0392023: $27,8282024: $28,254$28,254

Total cost at Western Illinois University rose from $20,107 (2009) to $28,254 (2024).

Total cost of attendance — data
YearCost
2009$20,107
2010$21,692
2011$22,485
2012$23,420
2013$24,375
2014$25,074
2015$25,234
2016$25,280
2017$24,851
2018$25,686
2019$25,732
2020$26,287
2021$25,774
2022$27,039
2023$27,828
2024$28,254
IPEDS Academic-year cost 2009–2024

Tuition (in-state vs out-of-state)

Skip to data table

Published tuition and fees before grants. Housing, food, books and other attendance costs are separate.

In-stateOut-of-state
$5k$10k$15k200020232000: $3,9622001: $4,2072002: $4,4982003: $4,9972004: $5,6952005: $6,5762006: $7,4112007: $8,0792008: $8,8622013: $11,7672014: $12,2172015: $12,8892016: $12,6552017: $12,8972018: $12,9512019: $13,2562020: $13,3142021: $13,6692022: $14,4062023: $14,952$14,952 in2000: $6,7752001: $7,1892002: $7,9632003: $8,9122004: $10,2332005: $9,0602006: $9,1302007: $11,0272008: $12,0902013: $15,9692014: $16,5332015: $17,2912016: $16,9262017: $12,8972018: $12,9512019: $13,2562020: $13,3142021: $13,6692022: $14,4062023: $14,952$14,952 out
$5k$10k$15k200020232000: $3,9622001: $4,2072002: $4,4982003: $4,9972004: $5,6952005: $6,5762006: $7,4112007: $8,0792008: $8,8622013: $11,7672014: $12,2172015: $12,8892016: $12,6552017: $12,8972018: $12,9512019: $13,2562020: $13,3142021: $13,6692022: $14,4062023: $14,952$14,952 in2000: $6,7752001: $7,1892002: $7,9632003: $8,9122004: $10,2332005: $9,0602006: $9,1302007: $11,0272008: $12,0902013: $15,9692014: $16,5332015: $17,2912016: $16,9262017: $12,8972018: $12,9512019: $13,2562020: $13,3142021: $13,6692022: $14,4062023: $14,952$14,952 out

Tuition — data
YearIn-stateOut-of-state
2000$3,962$6,775
2001$4,207$7,189
2002$4,498$7,963
2003$4,997$8,912
2004$5,695$10,233
2005$6,576$9,060
2006$7,411$9,130
2007$8,079$11,027
2008$8,862$12,090
2013$11,767$15,969
2014$12,217$16,533
2015$12,889$17,291
2016$12,655$16,926
2017$12,897$12,897
2018$12,951$12,951
2019$13,256$13,256
2020$13,314$13,314
2021$13,669$13,669
2022$14,406$14,406
2023$14,952$14,952
IPEDS Published price 2000–01 to 2023–24 (not adjusted for inflation)
Cost, size & completion summary

Cost, size & completion

Western Illinois University reports published tuition by residency: $15,264 in-state versus $15,264 out-of-state — a $0 gap that makes state lines part of the decision. Scorecard snapshot: 2026-06-10; historical charts show their own years.

Western Illinois University reports 4,410 undergraduate students. Enrollment is a headcount, not a measure of teaching access.

45.2% of first-time, full-time bachelor's entrants completed at Western Illinois University within six years (2026-06-10 release). This measure excludes other student groups.

Do students finish — and what comes after?

Graduation, debt and earnings cover different groups. Read each chart's entering class or fiscal period; they are not one group's journey.

Six-year graduation rate

key chart
45.2%entered Fall 2018Skip to data table

The share of first-time, full-time bachelor's entrants who completed at this institution within six years. Other students are not included.

45%50%55%60%entered 1991entered 2018entered 1991: 45.3%entered 1992: 44.6%entered 1993: 43.2%entered 1994: 46.5%entered 1995: 49.1%entered 1996: 50.7%entered 1997: 55.3%entered 1998: 54.3%entered 1999: 55.4%entered 2000: 55.6%entered 2001: 56.6%entered 2002: 54.9%entered 2003: 59.3%entered 2004: 58%entered 2005: 53.4%entered 2006: 54.4%entered 2007: 56.1%entered 2008: 54.3%entered 2009: 52.8%entered 2010: 53.1%entered 2011: 50.4%entered 2012: 46.3%entered 2013: 50.6%entered 2014: 46.2%entered 2015: 50.9%entered 2016: 47.3%entered 2017: 44.8%entered 2018: 45.2%45.2%
45%50%55%60%entered 1991entered 2018entered 1991: 45.3%entered 1992: 44.6%entered 1993: 43.2%entered 1994: 46.5%entered 1995: 49.1%entered 1996: 50.7%entered 1997: 55.3%entered 1998: 54.3%entered 1999: 55.4%entered 2000: 55.6%entered 2001: 56.6%entered 2002: 54.9%entered 2003: 59.3%entered 2004: 58%entered 2005: 53.4%entered 2006: 54.4%entered 2007: 56.1%entered 2008: 54.3%entered 2009: 52.8%entered 2010: 53.1%entered 2011: 50.4%entered 2012: 46.3%entered 2013: 50.6%entered 2014: 46.2%entered 2015: 50.9%entered 2016: 47.3%entered 2017: 44.8%entered 2018: 45.2%45.2%

The six-year graduation rate at Western Illinois University has wandered from Fall 1991 to Fall 2018 entering cohorts — up to 59.3% at the peak — but ends near where it began, at 45.2%.

A six-year rate can only describe a class that entered six or more years ago — by definition the last point on the line is that old.

Six-year graduation rate — data
YearGraduated within 6 yrs
1991 cohort45.3%
1992 cohort44.6%
1993 cohort43.2%
1994 cohort46.5%
1995 cohort49.1%
1996 cohort50.7%
1997 cohort55.3%
1998 cohort54.3%
1999 cohort55.4%
2000 cohort55.6%
2001 cohort56.6%
2002 cohort54.9%
2003 cohort59.3%
2004 cohort58%
2005 cohort53.4%
2006 cohort54.4%
2007 cohort56.1%
2008 cohort54.3%
2009 cohort52.8%
2010 cohort53.1%
2011 cohort50.4%
2012 cohort46.3%
2013 cohort50.6%
2014 cohort46.2%
2015 cohort50.9%
2016 cohort47.3%
2017 cohort44.8%
2018 cohort45.2%
IPEDS Entering cohorts 1991–2018

Median debt at exit (completers vs non-completers)

Historical student groups
key chart
Skip to data table

Median federal student loan debt when students left school, shown separately for those who completed and those who did not.

CompletedLeft without degree
$10k$20kLeft school in fiscal years 1998 and 1999 (FY1998/99)Left school in fiscal years 2020 and 2021 (FY2020/21)Left school in fiscal years 1998 and 1999 (FY1998/99): $11,989Left school in fiscal years 1999 and 2000 (FY1999/00): $11,750Left school in fiscal years 2000 and 2001 (FY2000/01): $11,625Left school in fiscal years 2001 and 2002 (FY2001/02): $11,750Left school in fiscal years 2002 and 2003 (FY2002/03): $12,783Left school in fiscal years 2003 and 2004 (FY2003/04): $12,814Left school in fiscal years 2004 and 2005 (FY2004/05): $13,089Left school in fiscal years 2005 and 2006 (FY2005/06): $13,707Left school in fiscal years 2006 and 2007 (FY2006/07): $13,750Left school in fiscal years 2007 and 2008 (FY2007/08): $14,245Left school in fiscal years 2008 and 2009 (FY2008/09): $14,500Left school in fiscal years 2009 and 2010 (FY2009/10): $16,256Left school in fiscal years 2010 and 2011 (FY2010/11): $18,391Left school in fiscal years 2011 and 2012 (FY2011/12): $20,000Left school in fiscal years 2012 and 2013 (FY2012/13): $21,600Left school in fiscal years 2013 and 2014 (FY2013/14): $23,000Left school in fiscal years 2014 and 2015 (FY2014/15): $23,742Left school in fiscal years 2015 and 2016 (FY2015/16): $24,671Left school in fiscal years 2016 and 2017 (FY2016/17): $24,830Left school in fiscal years 2017 and 2018 (FY2017/18): $25,000Left school in fiscal years 2018 and 2019 (FY2018/19): $25,126Left school in fiscal years 2019 and 2020 (FY2019/20): $25,047Left school in fiscal years 2020 and 2021 (FY2020/21): $25,251$25,251 completedLeft school in fiscal years 1998 and 1999 (FY1998/99): $5,500Left school in fiscal years 1999 and 2000 (FY1999/00): $4,239Left school in fiscal years 2000 and 2001 (FY2000/01): $3,756Left school in fiscal years 2001 and 2002 (FY2001/02): $3,500Left school in fiscal years 2002 and 2003 (FY2002/03): $3,500Left school in fiscal years 2003 and 2004 (FY2003/04): $4,375Left school in fiscal years 2004 and 2005 (FY2004/05): $5,250Left school in fiscal years 2005 and 2006 (FY2005/06): $4,158Left school in fiscal years 2006 and 2007 (FY2006/07): $3,938Left school in fiscal years 2007 and 2008 (FY2007/08): $4,500Left school in fiscal years 2008 and 2009 (FY2008/09): $5,500Left school in fiscal years 2009 and 2010 (FY2009/10): $5,500Left school in fiscal years 2010 and 2011 (FY2010/11): $5,800Left school in fiscal years 2011 and 2012 (FY2011/12): $6,000Left school in fiscal years 2012 and 2013 (FY2012/13): $6,000Left school in fiscal years 2013 and 2014 (FY2013/14): $6,250Left school in fiscal years 2014 and 2015 (FY2014/15): $7,500Left school in fiscal years 2015 and 2016 (FY2015/16): $8,750Left school in fiscal years 2016 and 2017 (FY2016/17): $9,500Left school in fiscal years 2017 and 2018 (FY2017/18): $9,500Left school in fiscal years 2018 and 2019 (FY2018/19): $10,500Left school in fiscal years 2019 and 2020 (FY2019/20): $12,000Left school in fiscal years 2020 and 2021 (FY2020/21): $12,000$12,000 left
$10k$20kLeft school in fiscal years 1998 and 1999 (FY1998/99)Left school in fiscal years 2020 and 2021 (FY2020/21)Left school in fiscal years 1998 and 1999 (FY1998/99): $11,989Left school in fiscal years 1999 and 2000 (FY1999/00): $11,750Left school in fiscal years 2000 and 2001 (FY2000/01): $11,625Left school in fiscal years 2001 and 2002 (FY2001/02): $11,750Left school in fiscal years 2002 and 2003 (FY2002/03): $12,783Left school in fiscal years 2003 and 2004 (FY2003/04): $12,814Left school in fiscal years 2004 and 2005 (FY2004/05): $13,089Left school in fiscal years 2005 and 2006 (FY2005/06): $13,707Left school in fiscal years 2006 and 2007 (FY2006/07): $13,750Left school in fiscal years 2007 and 2008 (FY2007/08): $14,245Left school in fiscal years 2008 and 2009 (FY2008/09): $14,500Left school in fiscal years 2009 and 2010 (FY2009/10): $16,256Left school in fiscal years 2010 and 2011 (FY2010/11): $18,391Left school in fiscal years 2011 and 2012 (FY2011/12): $20,000Left school in fiscal years 2012 and 2013 (FY2012/13): $21,600Left school in fiscal years 2013 and 2014 (FY2013/14): $23,000Left school in fiscal years 2014 and 2015 (FY2014/15): $23,742Left school in fiscal years 2015 and 2016 (FY2015/16): $24,671Left school in fiscal years 2016 and 2017 (FY2016/17): $24,830Left school in fiscal years 2017 and 2018 (FY2017/18): $25,000Left school in fiscal years 2018 and 2019 (FY2018/19): $25,126Left school in fiscal years 2019 and 2020 (FY2019/20): $25,047Left school in fiscal years 2020 and 2021 (FY2020/21): $25,251$25,251 completedLeft school in fiscal years 1998 and 1999 (FY1998/99): $5,500Left school in fiscal years 1999 and 2000 (FY1999/00): $4,239Left school in fiscal years 2000 and 2001 (FY2000/01): $3,756Left school in fiscal years 2001 and 2002 (FY2001/02): $3,500Left school in fiscal years 2002 and 2003 (FY2002/03): $3,500Left school in fiscal years 2003 and 2004 (FY2003/04): $4,375Left school in fiscal years 2004 and 2005 (FY2004/05): $5,250Left school in fiscal years 2005 and 2006 (FY2005/06): $4,158Left school in fiscal years 2006 and 2007 (FY2006/07): $3,938Left school in fiscal years 2007 and 2008 (FY2007/08): $4,500Left school in fiscal years 2008 and 2009 (FY2008/09): $5,500Left school in fiscal years 2009 and 2010 (FY2009/10): $5,500Left school in fiscal years 2010 and 2011 (FY2010/11): $5,800Left school in fiscal years 2011 and 2012 (FY2011/12): $6,000Left school in fiscal years 2012 and 2013 (FY2012/13): $6,000Left school in fiscal years 2013 and 2014 (FY2013/14): $6,250Left school in fiscal years 2014 and 2015 (FY2014/15): $7,500Left school in fiscal years 2015 and 2016 (FY2015/16): $8,750Left school in fiscal years 2016 and 2017 (FY2016/17): $9,500Left school in fiscal years 2017 and 2018 (FY2017/18): $9,500Left school in fiscal years 2018 and 2019 (FY2018/19): $10,500Left school in fiscal years 2019 and 2020 (FY2019/20): $12,000Left school in fiscal years 2020 and 2021 (FY2020/21): $12,000$12,000 left

Each point combines two years. Neighboring points share one year, so changes should be read with that overlap in mind.

These two-year windows closed before today's students borrowed — they describe past cohorts, not the current price of a degree.

Median debt at exit — data
YearCompletedLeft without degree
Left school in fiscal years 1998 and 1999 (FY1998/99)$11,989$5,500
Left school in fiscal years 1999 and 2000 (FY1999/00)$11,750$4,239
Left school in fiscal years 2000 and 2001 (FY2000/01)$11,625$3,756
Left school in fiscal years 2001 and 2002 (FY2001/02)$11,750$3,500
Left school in fiscal years 2002 and 2003 (FY2002/03)$12,783$3,500
Left school in fiscal years 2003 and 2004 (FY2003/04)$12,814$4,375
Left school in fiscal years 2004 and 2005 (FY2004/05)$13,089$5,250
Left school in fiscal years 2005 and 2006 (FY2005/06)$13,707$4,158
Left school in fiscal years 2006 and 2007 (FY2006/07)$13,750$3,938
Left school in fiscal years 2007 and 2008 (FY2007/08)$14,245$4,500
Left school in fiscal years 2008 and 2009 (FY2008/09)$14,500$5,500
Left school in fiscal years 2009 and 2010 (FY2009/10)$16,256$5,500
Left school in fiscal years 2010 and 2011 (FY2010/11)$18,391$5,800
Left school in fiscal years 2011 and 2012 (FY2011/12)$20,000$6,000
Left school in fiscal years 2012 and 2013 (FY2012/13)$21,600$6,000
Left school in fiscal years 2013 and 2014 (FY2013/14)$23,000$6,250
Left school in fiscal years 2014 and 2015 (FY2014/15)$23,742$7,500
Left school in fiscal years 2015 and 2016 (FY2015/16)$24,671$8,750
Left school in fiscal years 2016 and 2017 (FY2016/17)$24,830$9,500
Left school in fiscal years 2017 and 2018 (FY2017/18)$25,000$9,500
Left school in fiscal years 2018 and 2019 (FY2018/19)$25,126$10,500
Left school in fiscal years 2019 and 2020 (FY2019/20)$25,047$12,000
Left school in fiscal years 2020 and 2021 (FY2020/21)$25,251$12,000
NSLDS GRAD_DEBT_MDN / WDRAW_DEBT_MDN, merged FY periods · via College Scorecard

Earnings after entry

Historical student groups

Median annual earnings after entering college, for federally aided students who were working and not enrolled when measured.

Entered: academic years 2013–14 or 2014–15
$43,057
6 years after entry
Entered: academic years 2011–12 or 2012–13
$48,456
8 years after entry
Entered: academic years 2009–10 or 2010–11
$54,163
10 years after entry

Each figure covers a different group of students who entered college in the stated years. Earnings were measured in the same two years; these are not one group followed over time.

Measured in 2020–21, adjusted for inflation to 2022 dollars. Each figure pools two entering academic years.

Treasury Pooled entering cohorts · Scorecard 2020–21 historical file

What does the admissions record show?

Rates and score ranges describe a past admissions cycle. Submitted scores are not cutoffs or a prediction of admission.

Admissions snapshot & test policies

Western Illinois University admitted 6,174 of 8,674 applicants in Fall 2024. The 71.2% rate describes that application pool.

71.2%
acceptance rate · Fall 2024 admissions cycle
rate trend$14,952 in-state tuition · 2023–244,410 undergraduates · Fall 2024
Tests not considered · Fall 2024

Not sure where you stand? Estimate your GPA →

Admissions

Western Illinois University did not consider scores in the Fall 2024 admissions cycle. No score range is displayed for Western Illinois University under that historical policy.

Check current requirements with admissions.

In the Fall 2024 cycle, Western Illinois University received 8,674 applications and admitted 6,174 (71.2%), with 634 enrolling.

Acceptance rate

71.2%Fall 2024Skip to data table

The share of applicants offered a spot — lower means more selective; read it alongside the score ranges below.

20%40%60%200120242001: 21.1%2002: 64.1%2003: 66.1%2004: 70.1%2005: 71.7%2006: 70.5%2007: 68.2%2008: 67.7%2009: 63.6%2010: 64.6%2011: 65.6%2012: 62.8%2013: 59.3%2014: 69.6%2015: 60.1%2016: 59.5%2017: 60%2018: 58.8%2019: 56.7%2020: 67%2021: 72.5%2022: 75%2023: 75%2024: 71.2%71.2%
20%40%60%200120242001: 21.1%2002: 64.1%2003: 66.1%2004: 70.1%2005: 71.7%2006: 70.5%2007: 68.2%2008: 67.7%2009: 63.6%2010: 64.6%2011: 65.6%2012: 62.8%2013: 59.3%2014: 69.6%2015: 60.1%2016: 59.5%2017: 60%2018: 58.8%2019: 56.7%2020: 67%2021: 72.5%2022: 75%2023: 75%2024: 71.2%71.2%

Acceptance rate — data
YearAcceptance rate
Fall 200121.1%
Fall 200264.1%
Fall 200366.1%
Fall 200470.1%
Fall 200571.7%
Fall 200670.5%
Fall 200768.2%
Fall 200867.7%
Fall 200963.6%
Fall 201064.6%
Fall 201165.6%
Fall 201262.8%
Fall 201359.3%
Fall 201469.6%
Fall 201560.1%
Fall 201659.5%
Fall 201760%
Fall 201858.8%
Fall 201956.7%
Fall 202067%
Fall 202172.5%
Fall 202275%
Fall 202375%
Fall 202471.2%
IPEDS Fall cycles 2001–2024

SAT range (section sums, 25th–75th)

880–1090Fall 2020 · submittersSkip to data table

Sums of the reading/writing and math percentiles among enrolled submitters — not percentiles of total SAT scores or admission cutoffs.

TEST-OPTIONAL ERA90010001100201820202018: 9302019: 9502020: 8808802018: 11102019: 11502020: 10901090
TEST-OPTIONAL ERA90010001100201820202018: 9302019: 9502020: 8808802018: 11102019: 11502020: 10901090

SAT range (section sums) — data
Year25th75th
Fall 20189301110
Fall 20199501150
Fall 20208801090
IPEDS Fall 2018–2020, submitters only

ACT middle 50%

18–24Fall 2020 · submittersSkip to data table

The middle half of enrolled ACT submitters, using published composite-score percentiles — not admission cutoffs.

TEST-OPTIONAL ERA18202224200120202001: 192002: 192003: 192004: 192005: 192006: 192007: 192008: 192009: 192010: 182011: 182012: 182013: 182014: 182015: 182016: 182017: 182018: 182019: 182020: 18182001: 242002: 242003: 232004: 242005: 232006: 232007: 232008: 232009: 232010: 232011: 232012: 232013: 232014: 232015: 232016: 232017: 232018: 232019: 252020: 2424
TEST-OPTIONAL ERA2025200120202001: 192002: 192003: 192004: 192005: 192006: 192007: 192008: 192009: 192010: 182011: 182012: 182013: 182014: 182015: 182016: 182017: 182018: 182019: 182020: 18182001: 242002: 242003: 232004: 242005: 232006: 232007: 232008: 232009: 232010: 232011: 232012: 232013: 232014: 232015: 232016: 232017: 232018: 232019: 252020: 2424

ACT middle 50% — data
Year25th75th
Fall 20011924
Fall 20021924
Fall 20031923
Fall 20041924
Fall 20051923
Fall 20061923
Fall 20071923
Fall 20081923
Fall 20091923
Fall 20101823
Fall 20111823
Fall 20121823
Fall 20131823
Fall 20141823
Fall 20151823
Fall 20161823
Fall 20171823
Fall 20181823
Fall 20191825
Fall 20201824
IPEDS Fall 2001–2020, submitters only

What is the campus like?

Enrollment counts a campus population; retention follows first-years returning. Their dates and populations are shown separately.

Undergraduate enrollment

4,410Fall 2024Skip to data table

Reported undergraduate enrollment. This count does not measure class size or teaching access.

4k6k8k10k200220242002: 11,0252003: 11,0162004: 11,2972005: 11,2762006: 11,3272007: 11,1452008: 10,7352009: 10,5522010: 10,4702011: 10,5202012: 10,2632013: 9,8732014: 9,6452015: 9,1412016: 8,5432017: 7,5992018: 6,7542019: 5,9582020: 5,7682021: 5,2682022: 5,1962023: 4,9392024: 4,4104,410
4k6k8k10k200220242002: 11,0252003: 11,0162004: 11,2972005: 11,2762006: 11,3272007: 11,1452008: 10,7352009: 10,5522010: 10,4702011: 10,5202012: 10,2632013: 9,8732014: 9,6452015: 9,1412016: 8,5432017: 7,5992018: 6,7542019: 5,9582020: 5,7682021: 5,2682022: 5,1962023: 4,9392024: 4,4104,410

Undergraduate enrollment at Western Illinois University fell from 11,025 (Fall 2002) to 4,410 (Fall 2024).

Undergraduate enrollment — data
YearUndergraduates
Fall 200211,025
Fall 200311,016
Fall 200411,297
Fall 200511,276
Fall 200611,327
Fall 200711,145
Fall 200810,735
Fall 200910,552
Fall 201010,470
Fall 201110,520
Fall 201210,263
Fall 20139,873
Fall 20149,645
Fall 20159,141
Fall 20168,543
Fall 20177,599
Fall 20186,754
Fall 20195,958
Fall 20205,768
Fall 20215,268
Fall 20225,196
Fall 20234,939
Fall 20244,410
IPEDS Fall headcounts 2002–2024

First-year retention (full-time)

61%Fall 2023 cohortSkip to data table

The share of the reported first-time student group who returned the following year. This rate does not explain why others left.

60%65%70%75%80%200220232002: 76%2003: 77%2004: 79%2005: 73%2006: 72%2007: 73%2008: 74%2009: 73%2010: 71%2011: 68%2012: 63%2013: 72%2014: 68%2015: 69%2016: 68%2017: 65%2018: 67%2019: 77%2020: 72%2021: 67%2022: 59%2023: 61%61%
60%70%80%200220232002: 76%2003: 77%2004: 79%2005: 73%2006: 72%2007: 73%2008: 74%2009: 73%2010: 71%2011: 68%2012: 63%2013: 72%2014: 68%2015: 69%2016: 68%2017: 65%2018: 67%2019: 77%2020: 72%2021: 67%2022: 59%2023: 61%61%

First-year retention at Western Illinois University fell from 76% (Fall 2002) to 61% (Fall 2023).

First-year retention — data
YearRetention
Fall 2002 cohort76%
Fall 2003 cohort77%
Fall 2004 cohort79%
Fall 2005 cohort73%
Fall 2006 cohort72%
Fall 2007 cohort73%
Fall 2008 cohort74%
Fall 2009 cohort73%
Fall 2010 cohort71%
Fall 2011 cohort68%
Fall 2012 cohort63%
Fall 2013 cohort72%
Fall 2014 cohort68%
Fall 2015 cohort69%
Fall 2016 cohort68%
Fall 2017 cohort65%
Fall 2018 cohort67%
Fall 2019 cohort77%
Fall 2020 cohort72%
Fall 2021 cohort67%
Fall 2022 cohort59%
Fall 2023 cohort61%
IPEDS Full-time cohorts 2002–2023
More about Western Illinois University

Faculty pay at Western Illinois University averages $122,856 a year, annualized from reported monthly pay. Carnegie classes Western Illinois University as a primarily residential campus of 4,410 undergraduates — and 61.4% of the reported first-time, full-time student group returned for a second year.

Western Illinois University reported not considering test scores in Fall 2024, when its admission rate was 71.2%. Review Western Illinois University's current requirements before applying; use the GPA calculator for your semester numbers.

Why some charts are marked “key chart”
key chart

Start with three useful questions: what costs were reported for families in your income band, how many first-time full-time students finished, and what federal debt borrowers held when leaving.

How Western Illinois University compares

State and national medians cover active bachelor-primary institutions, mixing public and private schools. Tuition uses in-state rates at public schools. These are broad reference points, not a ranking of similar schools or your likely bill.

Scorecard dates identify the release snapshot, not a shared measurement year. Earnings describe federally aided students who were working and not enrolled ten years after entry; cohorts and populations differ from the admissions and tuition figures.

Acceptance rate

Fall 2024 admissions cycle · IPEDS

Western Illinois University71.2%
Illinois median77%
National median76.8%

Tuition (in-state)

Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot · published tuition before aid

Western Illinois University$15,264
Illinois median$31,360
National median$19,591

Median earnings (10 yr)

Ten years after entry · Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot

Western Illinois University's snapshot: calendar years and dollar basis unverified.

Western Illinois University$54,163
Illinois median$58,572
National median$53,781
View comparison data & dates
Western Illinois University, Illinois and national reference values
Metric & basisWestern Illinois UniversityIllinois medianNational median
Acceptance rateFall 2024 admissions cycle · IPEDS71.2%77%76.8%
Tuition (in-state)Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot · published tuition before aid$15,264$31,360$19,591
Median earnings (10 yr)Ten years after entry · Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot$54,163$58,572$53,781

Published earnings by bachelor's field of study

For Western Illinois University, these are federal subject groups (CIP), not departments. Median is the middle annual income.

Western Illinois University federal-aid recipients · graduated 2017–18 or 2018–19 · income measured 2022 or 2023 · inflation-adjusted to 2024 dollars. Definitions and limits.

View 37 fields & earnings
Bachelor's field of study (CIP category)Median earnings, 4 yrs after completion
Computer and Information Sciences, General$92,824
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing$86,694
Construction Management$85,974
Engineering Technologies/Technicians, General$75,922
Accounting and Related Services$71,059
Human Resources Management and Services$70,157
Business Administration, Management and Operations$70,021
Finance and Financial Management Services$69,716
Fire Protection$68,753
Marketing$68,306
Chemistry$68,249
Criminal Justice and Corrections$63,125
Agriculture, General$58,333
Health and Medical Administrative Services$56,771
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities$55,944
Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services$54,394
Social Work$54,063
Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, General$54,059
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness$53,576
Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services$53,453
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas$51,255
Communication and Media Studies$51,203
Political Science and Government$50,963
Biology, General$50,855
Graphic Communications$50,751
Sociology$50,080
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions$49,431
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services, Other$48,039
History$47,084
Radio, Television, and Digital Communication$46,966
Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Facilities Management$46,363
Special Education and Teaching$45,395
Psychology, General$44,683
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods$43,279
English Language and Literature, General$41,984
Music$39,609
Fine and Studio Arts$35,703

These 37 fields listed for Western Illinois University measure earnings after completion. The $54,163 institution-level snapshot above measures earnings after entry; it is not the same cohort or a total for these fields. 35 additional Western Illinois University fields have earnings withheld under federal privacy rules.

Frequently asked questions

What test-score data does Western Illinois University report?

Western Illinois University did not consider scores in Fall 2024: 71.2% admitted. Check current requirements.

What is Western Illinois University's acceptance rate?

71.2% in the Fall 2024 cycle — 6,174 admitted from 8,674 applicants.

How much does Western Illinois University cost?

In-state tuition is $15,264; out-of-state students pay $15,264. Fees, housing and aid move the real total in both directions.

What earnings data does Western Illinois University report?

Median earnings ten years after entry: $54,163. Major figures measure four years after completion. Source and date limits.

Similar colleges in Illinois

Run your own numbers

Data: IPEDS ADM2024 (Fall 2024 admissions, provisional) · IPEDS HD2024/IC2024 directory · College Scorecard 2026-06-10 release (institution and field-of-study files; earnings from Treasury records). Retrieved 2026-09-01. Chart dates follow this institution's available observations; the release date is not an academic year or an earnings year. Some records end earlier than others. Field-of-study cohort dates are shown with the table. Read the date and population definitions.

Find schools by the numbers →