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Colleges in and near Macomb

Macomb is a college town: 28 of every 100 residents are students

Western Illinois University (5,472 students on campus) is inside the city. Across Illinois, 6 of every 100 residents are enrolled in college.

College town28% of residents are studentsWestern Illinois University

From the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard, June 2026; IPEDS fall 2023 enrollment) and the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, 2020–24. Straight-line distances from the center of Macomb. Colleges are described, not graded.

Within 15 miles
1
5,472 students on campus
Nearest college
0.2 mi
Western Illinois University
Residents in college
28%
Above IL (6%)
Nearest community college
32.3 mi
Spoon River College · $6,090 tuition
Nearest public university
0.2 mi
Western Illinois University · $15,264 in-state
Students on campus in Macomb
5,472
next to 14,530 residents

What stands out about college in Macomb

Facts about the town and its distance to campus; each college’s own figures follow.

A college town28 of every 100 Macomb residents are enrolled in college, against 6 across Illinois.A university in MacombWestern Illinois University has 5,472 students on campus in Macomb, 45% of whom graduate within six years.In-state price at Western Illinois UniversityLiving in Illinois, Western Illinois University charges $15,264 in tuition and fees, the same for every student.A community college 32.3 miles awaySpoon River College in Canton: tuition and fees $6,090 a year for Illinois residents.
Town & gown

What it’s like to live in Macomb

How much the colleges shape the town, from the Census Bureau’s survey of residents.

28 of every 100 Macomb residents are in college (IL: 6).

5,472students on campus at Western Illinois University, next to 14,530 residents (dorm students count as residents)
1,941college students live in Macomb households rather than dorms
27.6median age · IL 39.0
53%of residents are women · IL 51% (±1.3 points)
51%of homes rented · IL 33%
$765median rent · 40% below the state
Cost of living$765/mo median rentB−SafetyCrime reported to the FBIHealthCDC estimatesC+Jobs & incomeIncome, jobs, getting aroundC−HandbookTrash day, parking, who to call

How students change Macomb’s other numbers

Read the town’s other grades with this in mind. How TownRatings handles college towns →

Jobs & income C−

Students who live off campus count in the Census poverty figures: 25.3% of Macomb residents are below the poverty line, 18.6% when college students are left out (that estimate could be off by 5 points either way). 60% of the students themselves are below the line. In college towns, the Jobs & income grade uses the rate without students and leaves unemployment out.

Cost of living B−

The Cost grade leaves out the share of renters paying 30% or more of income on rent wherever students are a quarter of residents or more (28% here): it would mostly measure student incomes.

Health C+

CDC’s estimates follow each place’s age mix, and Macomb’s median age is 27.6 (Illinois 39.0), so the adult figures describe a young population.

Safety

Crime is counted per resident, and students who live here count as residents. A college with its own police department reports its incidents under that department, not the city.

Every college

Colleges within 15 miles of Macomb

It is public. Every other college is more than 15 miles from Macomb.

5 mi10 mi15 miWestern Illinois UniversityMacomb
University or collegeCommunity college
Western Illinois UniversityUniversity or college · Public · 5,472 on campus · In Macomb71%admitted$13knet price45%graduate$54kearnings

Degree-granting colleges with 100 or more students on campus (fall 2023 enrollment, minus students who study only online). Admitted: share of applicants offered a place. Net price: the average a year after grants, for students on federal aid. Graduate: within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting.

What it costs

What would your family pay?

The average a year after grants, for families on federal aid, at the colleges within 15 miles. Pick your family’s income.

Family income

Starts at $30–48k, where Macomb’s median household income ($44,411) falls.

Western Illinois UniversityIn Macomb · sticker $28,254$8,787a year

The average a year after grants and scholarships, for first-time, full-time students on federal aid, from the College Scorecard. Your own price depends on your aid package; every college has a net price calculator. For community colleges the net price counts housing and food at full cost, so tuition is shown beside it. “—”: not reported for that income.

Outcomes

Do students finish, and does it pay?

Each dot is a college within 15 miles of Macomb: across is the share who graduate, up is what they earn ten years after starting.

$0$20k$40k$60k$80k0%25%50%75%100%Graduate →Western Illinois University
Western Illinois University45% graduate$54k earnings$25k typical debt

Graduation: first-time, full-time students within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 years (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting, for students who got federal aid.

Majors

What students study in Macomb

Share of bachelor’s and associate degrees by field at Western Illinois University, weighted by undergraduates; then the biggest programs.

Public safety 16%Business 13%Liberal arts 11%Education 10%Psychology 6%Agriculture 6%Everything else 39%

Biggest programs

Criminal Justice and Corrections197 graduates a year
$63k4 yrs out
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities120 graduates a year
$56k4 yrs out
Agriculture, General79 graduates a year
$58k4 yrs out
Psychology, General58 graduates a year
$45k4 yrs out
Business Administration, Management and Operations48 graduates a year
$70k4 yrs out
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods45 graduates a year
$43k4 yrs out
Biology, General42 graduates a year
$51k4 yrs out
Communication and Media Studies37 graduates a year
$51k4 yrs out

College Scorecard: degree shares (PCIP; each college’s six largest fields are kept, the rest count as everything else) and the field-of-study file, median earnings 4 years after graduating.

Questions about college in Macomb

Is Macomb a college town?

Yes. 28 of every 100 Macomb residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), against 6 across Illinois. Western Illinois University has 5,472 students on campus, next to 14,530 residents.

What colleges are in Macomb?

Western Illinois University is inside the city. Spoon River College is 32.3 miles away in Canton.

Why is Macomb’s poverty rate so high?

Students who live off campus count in the Census figures. 25.3% of residents are below the poverty line; leaving college students out, 18.6% are (ACS 2020–24, give or take 5 points).

What is the closest community college to Macomb, and what does it cost?

Spoon River College in Canton, 32.3 miles away. Tuition and fees are $6,090 a year for Illinois residents; the federal net price, $3,415, counts housing and food at full cost.

How hard is it to get into Western Illinois University?

Western Illinois University admitted 71% of applicants in the Scorecard’s latest year.

Neighbors talk college

Students, parents, alumni and the neighbors next door.

Town Square →
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Colleges: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS (Scorecard 06/10/2026 · IPEDS 2024 · fall 2023 enrollment). “On campus” is fall enrollment minus students who study only online. Distances are straight-line from the center of Macomb. Residents in college, age, rent and poverty (including poverty without college students, table B14006): U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–24. Colleges are described, not graded; the College town label marks towns where 15% or more of residents are enrolled. How TownRatings describes colleges →