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University or college · Public

Western Illinois University

Macomb, IL1,601 online only

Western Illinois University is a public university in Macomb, IL, with about 5,472 students on campus and 1,601 more studying only online.

Visit www.wiu.edu ↗Directions
Students on campus
5,472
plus 1,601 studying only online
Admission rate
71%
lower than at 62% of 4-year colleges
Net price a year
$12,937
lower than at 81% of 4-year colleges
Graduation rate
45%
lower than at 69% of 4-year colleges
Earnings, 10 yrs later
$54,163
higher than at 77% of U.S. colleges
In brief

Western Illinois University, in brief

A low price for what graduates go on to earn

After aid, Western Illinois University costs $12,937 a year, less than 81% of 4-year colleges. Ten years after starting, former students earn a median $54,163, more than at 77% of colleges. Outcomes ↓

What you study here makes a big difference to pay

Among Western Illinois University’s biggest bachelor’s programs, computer science graduates earn a median $92,824 four years out. Teacher education and professional development graduates earn $43,279. Majors ↓

The only college for 30 miles

No other degree-granting college with students on campus is within 30 miles of Western Illinois University. Nearby ↓

Students are a big part of Macomb

28% of Macomb’s 14,530 residents are enrolled in college. Median rent runs 40% below the state. Living in Macomb ↓

This summary is written from the data on this page. Figures are from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard; price, graduation and earnings include online students.

★ What stands out · Outcomes

Do students finish, and does it pay off?

Graduate
45%
within 6 years · Pell students 36%
Come back for year two
61%
full-time first-year students
Earnings, 10 years later
$54,163
median, students on federal aid
Typical debt
$25,251
about $268 a month over 10 years

Debt vs. the paycheck

The typical loan payment as a share of a typical graduate’s monthly pay six years after starting

7.5%
0%10%: a common comfort line25%

$268 a month against about $3,588 a month in pay.

Paying back loans

Federal student loans, this college

59%

of borrowers paid down at least some of their loan within three years, more than at 74% of U.S. colleges.

Almost none defaulted within three years (payments on federal loans were paused from 2020 to 2023, so recent default rates are near zero everywhere).

Earnings by family background

Median earnings 10 years after starting, by family income at enrollment

Lower incomeunder $30k
$48k
Middle income$30–75k
$54k
Higher incomeover $75k
$59k
Getting in

How hard is it to get into Western Illinois University?

71%

of applicants admitted

About 14 of every 20 applicants get in.

Test scores of admitted students

No SAT or ACT ranges reported. Western Illinois University is likely test-optional.

What it costs

The sticker price, and what families really pay

Sticker price: $28,254 a year

Before any grants

Tuition & fees (in state) $15,264Room & board $11,320Books & supplies $1,200

After grants, the average family on aid pays $12,937.

Your family’s price

Average net price after grants, by family income

$12,062

About $48,248 over 4 years · 57% off the sticker price

Under $30k$30–48k$48–75k$75–110kOver $110k
Majors

What students study, and what it pays

Share of degrees by field

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

Bachelor’s programs with the most graduates

And their graduates’ median earnings four years later (one year where that’s all that’s reported).

Criminal Justice and Corrections197 graduates a year · typical debt $24,859
$63k4 yrs out
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities120 graduates a year · typical debt $25,000
$56k4 yrs out
Agriculture, General79 graduates a year · typical debt $17,062
$58k4 yrs out
Psychology, General58 graduates a year · typical debt $27,000
$45k4 yrs out
Business Administration, Management and Operations48 graduates a year · typical debt $24,312
$70k4 yrs out
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods45 graduates a year · typical debt $22,446
$43k4 yrs out
Biology, General42 graduates a year · typical debt $27,000
$51k4 yrs out
Communication and Media Studies37 graduates a year · typical debt $28,170
$51k4 yrs out
Who goes there

The students

4,410 degree-seeking undergraduates.

By race and ethnicity

White 58%Hispanic 12%Black 19%Asian 1%Two or more 4%International 4%

Women and men

Women 59%Men 41%
12 : 1
students per teacher
28%
get Pell grants (lower income)
32%
take federal loans
16%
undergrads 25 or older
15%
study part time
The town around it

Living in Macomb

28% of Macomb’s 14,530 residents are enrolled in college. What the town is like, from TownRatings’ Macomb pages.

Macomb →
$765/momedian rent · 40% below the state$113Ktypical home value17° / 85°January low / July high · 11" of snowC+Health GradeAll colleges in and near MacombCompare prices, admissions and outcomes

Ask around

Students, parents, alumni and the neighbors next door.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (institution and field-of-study files) and IPEDS (Scorecard 06/10/2026 · IPEDS 2024 · fall 2023); town figures from the Census American Community Survey and NOAA climate normals. Graduation rates count first-time, full-time students; earnings and debt are for students who received federal aid. Distances are straight-line. Colleges are described, not graded (how TownRatings describes colleges). Map © OpenStreetMap contributors.