At a glance
Average net price
$12,937
In-state, after aid
6-year graduation rate
45.2%
Admission rate
71%
Undergrad size
4,410
In-state tuition
$15,264
Out-of-state tuition
$15,264
Cost of attendance
$28,254
Median earnings (10y)
$54,163
Admissions
- SAT average
- Not available
- ACT midpoint
- Not available
- Retention
- 61.4%
- Locale
- Town
Programs breakdown
22 program areas reported · Academic mix is led by humanities & arts (26%), trades & services (25%), social sciences (19%).
- STEM12%
- Health6%
- Business13%
- Humanities & arts26%
- Social sciences19%
- Trades & services25%
- ~734 students/yr · Trades & servicesCompare schools
- Business12.6%~555 students/yr · BusinessCompare schools
- Liberal arts12.1%~535 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- Psychology6.5%~285 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
- Education6.4%~281 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
- ~250 students/yr · HealthCompare schools
- ~246 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- Agriculture5.6%~246 students/yr · Trades & servicesCompare schools
- Communication5.6%~246 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- Social sciences4.1%~183 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
- Computer science3.3%~147 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- ~143 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- ~111 students/yr · Trades & servicesCompare schools
- ~111 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- ~87 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
- Engineering1.7%~75 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- Engineering tech1.2%~52 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- History1.2%~52 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- English0.9%~40 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- ~20 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- Mathematics0.2%~8 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- ~4 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
Share of all degrees and certificates awarded in each broad CIP-2 program area (U.S. Department of Education, latest reporting year). Estimated students/yr = share × undergrad size.
Specific majors offered
40 specific majors with reported completions. Earnings shown are median annual earnings 1 year after graduation; debt is median student-loan debt at graduation.
| Major | Credential | Grads | Median earnings | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Bachelor's | 396 | $38,130 | $26,000 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Bachelor's | 251 | $36,956 | $28,750 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Master's | 230 | — | — |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master's | 165 | $59,427 | — |
| Agriculture, General. | Bachelor's | 143 | $40,735 | $18,969 |
| Psychology, General. | Bachelor's | 128 | $28,046 | $29,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor's | 121 | $46,347 | $27,000 |
| Student Counseling and Personnel Services. | Master's | 92 | $38,145 | — |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Bachelor's | 90 | $34,318 | $25,133 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Master's | 87 | $45,795 | — |
| Biology, General. | Bachelor's | 84 | $29,129 | $27,585 |
| Communication and Media Studies. | Bachelor's | 81 | $36,104 | $30,000 |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Master's | 79 | $68,346 | — |
| Statistics. | Master's | 79 | — | — |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor's | 64 | $42,063 | $30,023 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness. | Master's | 61 | $38,988 | — |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor's | 57 | $60,966 | $23,750 |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods. | Graduate certificate | 57 | — | — |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness. | Bachelor's | 55 | $30,447 | $31,000 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Master's | 55 | $44,893 | — |
| Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Facilities Management. | Bachelor's | 53 | $30,838 | $29,000 |
| Social Work. | Bachelor's | 53 | $32,654 | $29,850 |
| Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, Other. | Bachelor's | 46 | — | — |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Bachelor's | 44 | $56,058 | $25,250 |
| Music. | Master's | 39 | — | — |
| Marketing. | Bachelor's | 39 | $35,243 | $29,592 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. | Master's | 38 | $44,428 | — |
| Engineering Technologies/Technicians, General. | Bachelor's | 38 | $55,220 | $32,373 |
| Music. | Bachelor's | 38 | $35,994 | $30,000 |
| Political Science and Government. | Bachelor's | 37 | $35,206 | $25,000 |
| Educational/Instructional Media Design. | Master's | 34 | $56,853 | — |
| Finance and Financial Management Services. | Bachelor's | 33 | $44,348 | $27,000 |
| Human Resources Management and Services. | Bachelor's | 33 | $39,583 | $26,000 |
| Mechanical Engineering. | Bachelor's | 30 | — | — |
| English Language and Literature, General. | Bachelor's | 30 | $31,055 | $23,750 |
| Fine and Studio Arts. | Bachelor's | 30 | $24,234 | $27,000 |
| Education, General. | Master's | 29 | — | — |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services. | Bachelor's | 29 | — | $20,375 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services. | Master's | 29 | $46,154 | — |
| Fire Protection. | Bachelor's | 28 | $35,038 | $22,723 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard Field of Study. Earnings cover graduates who received federal financial aid and are working / not enrolled. Cells marked "—" are not reported or were suppressed for privacy.
About Western Illinois University
Western Illinois University is a mid-sized institution located in Macomb, Illinois, primarily awarding the bachelor's degree. It enrolls roughly 4,410 undergraduate students in a town setting. The most popular fields of study include Homeland security & law enforcement, Business, Liberal arts.
Cost & tuition
The average net price at Western Illinois University — what a typical student actually pays after grants and scholarships — is $12,937 per year, which is moderately priced compared to other U.S. institutions. Published tuition is $15,264 per year before aid. Total cost of attendance, including housing, books, and living expenses, comes to about $28,254 annually.
Graduation & earnings outcomes
The 6-year graduation rate is 45.2%, a average completion outcome. 61.4% of first-time students return for a second year, a useful proxy for student satisfaction and academic fit. Ten years after enrolling, the median graduate earns $54,163 per year according to U.S. Department of Education earnings tracking.
Programs & majors
Western Illinois University confers degrees and certificates across 22 broad program areas, with the largest concentrations of completions in Homeland security & law enforcement, Business, Liberal arts. Grouped into wider academic categories, the mix is led by humanities & arts (26% of credentials), trades & services (25% of credentials), social sciences (19% of credentials), which gives a quick read on the school's overall academic profile. Use the programs breakdown below to see every reported area, an estimated number of students per program per year, and links to compare other U.S. colleges in the same field.
Admissions
Western Illinois University accepts 71% of applicants, making it moderately selective.
Location & campus
Set in Macomb, Illinois (town), Western Illinois University draws students from across Illinois and beyond. Prospective students often weigh proximity, cost of living, and local industry demand when choosing between schools in this area.
Frequently asked questions about Western Illinois University
Q.How much does Western Illinois University cost?
The average net price at Western Illinois University is $12,937 per year after grants and scholarships, with total cost of attendance around $28,254.
Q.What is the graduation rate at Western Illinois University?
Western Illinois University has a 6-year graduation rate of 45.2% according to the latest U.S. Department of Education data.
Q.How hard is it to get into Western Illinois University?
Western Illinois University admits 71% of applicants, which is considered moderately selective.
Q.How much do Western Illinois University graduates earn?
Ten years after enrolling, the median Western Illinois University graduate earns $54,163 per year.
Q.What is tuition at Western Illinois University?
Published tuition is $15,264 in-state. Most students pay less than the sticker price after financial aid.
Q.Where is Western Illinois University located?
Western Illinois University is located in Macomb, Illinois (ZIP 61455).
Data on this page comes from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS, the federal sources colleges are required to report to. Net price, graduation rate, and earnings figures reflect the latest available federal release. Always verify current tuition and program availability directly with Western Illinois University at their official website.