UnisHub University Compass

Western Illinois University (WIU) : Overview, Courses, Scholarships & Rankings

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About Western Illinois University

Known for its Leatherneck pride and Marine Corps roots, Western Illinois University has a practical, roll-up-your-sleeves vibe. Academics lean into applied learning across education, agriculture, business, public safety, environmental sciences, arts and media. Approachable faculty, project-driven classes, and a welcoming, no-nonsense Midwestern culture.

You'll find a well-used library, studios and labs, a lively student union, and student services that span advising, tutoring, counseling, and career guidance. Clubs, intramurals, live music, and outdoor rec set the pace, with a supportive town of cafes and trails close by. And internships often grow from ties with area schools, farms, media outlets, and municipal agencies, giving résumés real weight. Homecoming traditions and Leatherneck game days bring campus and community together.

Key Institutional Details

Contact & Profile

Location
1 University Circle, Macomb, Illinois, 61455, USA
Website
wiu.edu
Unit ID
149772

Academic & Institutional

Control
Public institution (funded by state or local government)
Accreditation
HLC
Length of Study
Programs under 2 years (e.g. certificate or diploma)
Calendar System
Semester system (two main terms per year)
Award Levels
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (R)
Campus Setting
Located in a remote town (35+ miles from urbanized area)
Carnegie Classification
Master's - Large programs
Tuition & Fees
In-State
$14,085
Tuition $9,359 + Fee $4,726
Out-of-State
$14,085
Tuition $9,359 + Fee $4,726
Student Profile
Total Students 7,073
Undergraduate 4,939
Graduate/Other 2,134
Male: 2,939 Female: 4,134
Applications
Total Applicants 8,479
Admitted 6,356
Enrolled 968
Acceptance: 75% Yield: 15.2%
Staff
Total Staff 1,314
Full-time 1,194
Part-time 120
Full-time: 90.9% Part-time: 9.1%

Academic Programs & Fields of Study

Western Illinois University (WIU) offers 81 degree programs across 23 major academic fields, graduating approximately 1,909 students annually. The most popular fields by graduate volume are Business (9 programs, 265 graduates), Computer & IT (3 programs, 251 graduates), Education (14 programs, 237 graduates), Security & Safety (3 programs, 222 graduates) and Liberal Arts (2 programs, 136 graduates). Explore program details, award levels, and graduate demographics below.

Business (9 programs, 265 graduates)
Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Business Administration and Management 107
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
52.0201
Accounting 43
Bachelor's
Master's
52.0301
Business Statistics 38
Postbac Cert.
52.1302
Logistics and Supply Chain Management 26
Bachelor's
52.0203
Finance, General 18
Bachelor's
52.0801
Marketing Management 15
Bachelor's
52.1401
Human Resources Management 7
Bachelor's
52.1001
Construction Management 7
Bachelor's
52.2001
Business Economics 4
Bachelor's
52.0601
Computer & IT (3 programs, 251 graduates)
Computer Science, Information Technology and Cybersecurity
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Computer and Information Sciences 230
Bachelor's
Master's
11.0101
Information Technology 16
Bachelor's
11.0103
Information Systems Security and Auditing 5
Bachelor's
11.1003
Education (14 programs, 237 graduates)
Educational Sciences, Teaching Methods and Pedagogy
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Elementary Education 67
Bachelor's
Master's
13.1202
Teacher Education and Professional Development 51
Master's
13.1299
Special Education Teaching 16
Bachelor's
Master's
13.1001
Educational Leadership and Administration 15
Master's
13.0401
Instructional Technology 15
Postbac Cert.
Master's
13.0501
School Counseling and Guidance 14
Master's
13.1101
Reading Teacher Education 13
Master's
13.1315
General Education 12
Master's
13.0101
Educational Administration and Supervision 11
Doctorate (R)
13.0499
Physical Education Teaching and Coaching 10
Bachelor's
13.1314
College Student Counseling and Personnel Services 7
Master's
13.1102
Middle School Education and Teaching 2
Bachelor's
13.1203
Health Education Teacher Preparation 2
Postbac Cert.
13.1307
English as a Second Language (ESL) Teaching 2
Postbac Cert.
13.1401
Security & Safety (3 programs, 222 graduates)
Emergency Management, Law Enforcement and Public Safety
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Criminal Justice Administration 201
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
43.0103
Fire Services Administration 14
Bachelor's
43.0202
Protective Services 7
Bachelor's
43.9999
Liberal Arts (2 programs, 136 graduates)
Liberal Arts Education, General Studies and Humanities
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Liberal Arts and Humanities 134
Bachelor's
24.0199
Liberal Arts and Sciences 2
Bachelor's
Master's
24.0101
Arts (6 programs, 93 graduates)
Fine Arts, Design Studies and Creative Performance
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Music Performance 32
Bachelor's
50.0903
Art Studies 18
Bachelor's
50.0701
Music 18
Master's
50.0901
Theatre Arts 15
Bachelor's
Master's
50.0501
Visual and Performing Arts 6
Bachelor's
50.9999
Studio Arts, General 4
Bachelor's
50.0702
Psychology (2 programs, 92 graduates)
Psychological Sciences, Mental Health and Behavioral Studies
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
General Psychology 85
Bachelor's
Master's
42.0101
School Psychology 7
Master's
42.2805
Social Sciences (7 programs, 85 graduates)
Sociology, Anthropology and Political Science Studies
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Sociology 29
Bachelor's
Master's
45.1101
Political Science and Government 18
Bachelor's
Master's
45.1001
Geographic Information Science and Cartography 14
Bachelor's
Master's
45.0702
Econometrics and Quantitative Economics 13
Master's
45.0603
Anthropology 8
Bachelor's
45.0201
Geography 2
Postbac Cert.
45.0701
Economics 1
Bachelor's
45.0601
Health (6 programs, 80 graduates)
Healthcare Professions, Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Registered Nursing 39
Bachelor's
51.3801
Communication Sciences and Disorders 27
Bachelor's
Master's
51.0201
Health Administration and Management 5
Bachelor's
51.0701
Dietetics 5
Bachelor's
51.3101
Public Health Education and Promotion 3
Bachelor's
51.2207
Clinical Laboratory Science and Medical Technology 1
Bachelor's
51.1005
Mathematics (2 programs, 79 graduates)
Mathematical Sciences, Statistics and Computational Analysis
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Statistics 65
Master's
27.0501
Mathematics 14
Bachelor's
Master's
27.0101

Admission Requirements & Test Scores

Comprehensive overview of admission criteria, standardized test score ranges, and application requirements for prospective students at Western Illinois University (WIU).

Application Requirements

Secondary School GPA
Required
Secondary School Rank
Neither required nor recommended
Secondary School Record
Required
College Preparatory Program
Required
Recommendations
Neither required nor recommended
Formal Demonstration of Competencies
Neither required nor recommended
Admission Test Scores (SAT/ACT)
Neither required nor recommended
English Proficiency Test (TOEFL)
Required
Personal Statement or Essay
Neither required nor recommended

Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Test score ranges represent the middle 50% of admitted students (25th-75th percentile). Requirements may vary by program.

Tuition, Fees & Estimated Costs

Overview of tuition rates, housing, and other annual education expenses for undergraduate and graduate students

Estimated Total Cost
(In-state)
$27,981
Estimated Total Cost
(Out-state)
$27,981
In-state Tuition (incl. fees)
$14,085
Tuition and fees for students residing in-state
Out-of-state Tuition (incl. fees)
$14,085
Tuition and fees for non-resident students
Room & Board
$10,920
Housing and meal plan expenses
Books & Supplies
$1,200
Average yearly cost of books and study materials
Other Expenses
$1,776 (on) / $3,341 (off)
Miscellaneous personal and institutional expenses
Other Expenses (with family)
$3,341
Estimated cost for students living with family
Graduate In-state Tuition (incl. fees)
$13,290
Graduate tuition rates for in-state students
Graduate Out-of-state Tuition (incl. fees)
$13,290
Graduate tuition rates for non-resident students

Financial Aid & Student Support

Summary of scholarships, grants, student loans, and financial aid statistics for undergraduate students

20%
FTFT Aid Recipients
Avg. Grant
$15,620
Avg. Loan
$6,118
Avg. Federal Loan
$5,264
Additional
Students with Any Grant
565
Students who received any type of grant aid
Students with Any Loan
283
Students who received any type of loan-based aid
Students with Federal Grant
296
Students who received a federal grant
Avg. Institutional Grant
$8,829
Average amount of institutional grant awarded

Student Success Metrics

Graduation rates and post-graduation earnings to help assess student outcomes and long-term value of education.

45%
Graduation Rate
Percentage of students who successfully graduate from the institution
59%
First-Year Retention Rate
Percentage of first-year students who continue for a second year
Median Earnings Over Time
$37,122 – $76,551
Salary Range (25th–75th Percentile, 10 Years)
$37,122 (25th %) $76,551 (75th %)
*Median Salary After 10 Years: $54,163
Median Salary After 6 Years
$43,057
Average annual earnings of former students six years after starting college.
Median Salary After 10 Years
$54,163
Average annual earnings of former students ten years after starting college.

Loan Burden & Repayment Outcomes

Breakdown of loan repayment rates and student debt levels by income and dependency status.

3-Year Loan Repayment Rate
59.0%
Share of borrowers who repaid loans within 3 years
Repayment Rate (Graduates Only)
71.9%
Repayment rate among students who completed their program
Median Student Loan Debt
$25,251
Median federal loan debt of undergraduate completers at time of graduation.
Repayment by Income
Low 41.4%
Middle 63.0%
High 72.7%
Repayment by Dependency
Dependent 61.4%
Independent 47.6%

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to the most common questions about Western Illinois University (WIU)

How much does it cost to attend Western Illinois University (WIU)?

The annual tuition at Western Illinois University (WIU) is $14,085 for in-state students. When including room and board, books, and other expenses, the total estimated cost is approximately $27,981 for in-state students. Additional costs include room and board $10,920 and books and supplies $1,200.

Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2022-2023 academic year. Tuition and cost estimates are approximate and may not include all fees, personal expenses, or transportation costs.

What academic programs and degree levels does Western Illinois University offer?

Western Illinois University (WIU) offers 81 academic programs across 23 major fields of study, with available degree levels: Bachelor's, Postbac Cert., Master's, Doctorate (Research).

Most popular program areas include:

  • Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship (9 programs)
  • Computer Science, Information Technology and Cybersecurity (3 programs)
  • Educational Sciences, Teaching Methods and Pedagogy (14 programs)
  • Emergency Management, Law Enforcement and Public Safety (3 programs)
  • Liberal Arts Education, General Studies and Humanities (2 programs)

Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated, not all offered programs.

What is the acceptance rate for Western Illinois University?

Western Illinois University (WIU) has an 75% acceptance rate and a 15.2% yield rate, making it selective.

Admission statistics breakdown:

  • Total applicants: 8,479
  • Students admitted: 6,356
  • Students enrolled: 968

Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Admission statistics may vary by program and application cycle.

What financial aid and scholarships are available at Western Illinois University?

Western Illinois University (WIU) provides financial aid to 20% of first-time, full-time students, with average grants of $15,620 and average loans of $6,118.

Average financial aid amounts by type:

  • Pell grants: $5,720
  • State/Local grants: $7,124
  • Institutional grants: $8,829
  • Federal loans: $5,264

The university supports 565 students with grants and 283 students with loans annually.

Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Financial aid amounts and percentages may vary by program, enrollment status, and individual circumstances.

What is the average salary for Western Illinois University graduates?

Western Illinois University (WIU) graduates earn a median salary of $43,057 after 6 years and $54,163 after 10 years.

The salary range 10 years after graduation spans from $37,122 (25th percentile) to $76,551 (75th percentile), with top earners reaching $77,400 (90th percentile).

Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Salary data reflects graduates who received federal financial aid (approximately 60% of all graduates). Actual earnings may vary significantly based on program, location, and individual circumstances.

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