About Western Illinois University

Founded in 1899, Western Illinois University. is a Public college. Located in Illinois, which is a city setting in Illinois, the campus itself is Town. The campus is home to 8,543 full time undergraduate students, and 1,830 full time graduate students.

The Western Illinois University Academic calendar runs on a Semester basis. In the school year the student to faculty ratio was 15:1. There are 566 full time instructional teachers. Degrees awarded at Western Illinois University include: Bachelor's Degree, Masters Degree, Post-master's certificate, Doctor's degree.

Quick Facts

Acceptance Rate59%
Application Deadline
Application Fee30
SAT Range
ACT Range18-23

Admissions at WIU are considered Selective, with ,73% of all applicants being admitted.

In the school year, of the students who applied to the school, only 15 of those who were admitted eventually ended up enrolling.

57% of incoming freshmen are in the top half of their high school class. 26% were in the top quarter, and 8% were in the top tenth. You can apply online.

STUDENT LIFE

We asked, and students answered these important questions about student life at Western Illinois University.

5%
“We”re apathetic”
35%
“We know about current events and vote”
50%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
10%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
8%
“We save it for the classroom”
33%
“Sometimes, but not often”
48%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
11%
“All the time, including weekends”
5%
“I”m always terrified”
8%
“I only go out in groups”
37%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
50%
“I feel extremely safe”
15%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
37%
“We bought the gear”
48%
“We live for the big game”
16%
“It”s not really our thing”
16%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
57%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
10%
“We”re a very artistic group”
7%
“Haven”t met them”
2%
“Available in class”
62%
“They keep regular office hours”
30%
“They”re always available”
2%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
11%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
74%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
13%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
3%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
12%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
32%
“We only party on weekends”
53%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
5%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
54%
“There might be people who do”
26%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
15%
“There”s a huge drug scene”
5%
“We”re apathetic”
35%
“We know about current events and vote”
50%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
10%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
8%
“We save it for the classroom”
33%
“Sometimes, but not often”
48%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
11%
“All the time, including weekends”
5%
“I”m always terrified”
8%
“I only go out in groups”
37%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
50%
“I feel extremely safe”
15%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
37%
“We bought the gear”
48%
“We live for the big game”
16%
“It”s not really our thing”
16%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
57%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
10%
“We”re a very artistic group”
7%
“Haven”t met them”
2%
“Available in class”
62%
“They keep regular office hours”
30%
“They”re always available”
2%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
11%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
74%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
13%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
3%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
12%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
32%
“We only party on weekends”
53%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
5%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
54%
“There might be people who do”
26%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
15%
“There”s a huge drug scene”

Western Illinois University REVIEWS

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  • How would you rate on-campus housing?

    152 Students rated on-campus housing 3.6 stars. 16 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate off-campus housing?

    108 Students rated off-campus housing 3.9 stars. 0 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate campus food?

    161 Students rated campus food 3.4 stars. 17 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate campus facilities?

    167 Students rated campus facilities 4.1 stars. 40 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate class size?

    167 Students rated class size 4.2 stars. 41 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate school activities?

    167 Students rated school activities 4.1 stars. 44 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate local services?

    167 Students rated local services 3.7 stars. 34 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate academics?

    167 Students rated academics 4.2 stars. 49 % gave the school a 5.0.

What's your overall opinion of Western Illinois University?

59 Students rated Western Illinois University

Claudia - 02/10/2020

I attend a smaller campus of Western Illinois University-Quad Cities in Moline. It is nice and small and makes me feel really comfortable. the teachers are always ready to respond and help, and the class sizes are small enough to make strong connections with peers and professors. Although the overall "college life" is not included in this campus, the academics are amazing.

Tyrell - 11/01/2019

I love my school!!! Since, I have been a student at Western Illinois University, I have been able to meet new people and engage with my professors in a great way. The culture is diverse and I feel supported in my classes.

Divahna - 10/22/2019

I really enjoy Western Illinois University. However, I do wish they had more opportunities for homeless students or students who are in no financial standing to pay off the fees right away. I also wish they would be able to receive more funding to do more and also to expend on tings they use to have. I also wish their were more things available in options in the grocery stores.

Mark - 08/22/2019

For the love of god don't come here unless you want an easy degree and like to party. If you are at all intelligent or even vaguely competent this is not the school for you. Many of the faculty members that cared are gone and the ones left who used to care don't care anymore because we all know this is a sinking ship.

Western Illinois University FAQS

  1. What is the Acceptance Rate at Western Illinois University?

    The fall 2020 acceptance rate for Western Illinois University is 59%. That means, out of _____ applications received in 2020 , _____ students were offered admission. The number of males who applied was _____ vs the number of females which was _____.

  2. What should every freshman at your school know before they start?

    For the parents, i would tell them to get to know the Schools that their child is considering very well. I know going to college might be a scary thing for a parent , so in order to make sure their child have a good experience they ahve to visit the schools and get to know the environment. Also the parents might want to find a school that is not costly, i know paying for college can be very expensive (becasuse i am going through that currently). They should find an institution that is affordable and that provides their child with a quality education. For the student, i would tell them to find a school that has various activites for new students, because coming into a new school can be difficult but if the school has various activies for new student then it would be a lot easier to make friends. It is alos important to find a school that has a good advbising center for students who are close to graduation. Having a good advisor in college can help you pick the best classes so that you wont waste you time taking classes that are not required for your mjor.

    Read all  164 answers
  3. Describe the students at your school.

    My classmates are very kind and curtious, they are always willing to step in and help whenever anyone needs it.

    Read all  39 answers
  4. What do you consider the worst thing about your school? Why?

    The worst thing would be very similar to many other Universities; the drinking, drugs and choices that students are faced with on a daily basis. Although this can also be a good thing, it allows students to decipher their life, plans and decisions on their own. College is a time to grow and develop so with no obstacles in the way it would almost be too easy.

    Read all  38 answers
  5. Describe how your school looks to someone who's never seen it.

    A fun-loving learning environment that prepares you for your future.

    Read all  36 answers
  6. Describe your favorite campus traditions.

    agriculture? i'm not exactly sure...teaching is really big there too.

    Read all  29 answers
  7. What kind of person should attend this school?

    The types of people that should attend Western Illinois are people that desire an enviornment that is a mixture of a want to learn and a good blend of a social aspect as well

    Read all  28 answers
  8. What kind of person should not attend this school?

    Any person that is not living, I was always the kind of person that never wanted to be around anyone in high school, as I entered my first year of college at WIU I became more involved and meet some really nice people.

    Read all  28 answers
  9. What's unique about your campus?

    Western tries hard to accomodate those that need help in a variety of ways. Those disabilities, learning or phsycial are given the resources for the help they request. Wester is open-minded and progressive in the teaching style of their professors. The entire school is truly set up for one to succeed in their field of choice.

    Read all  25 answers
  10. What's the one thing you wish someone had told you about freshman year?

    I wish I had more information regarding housing financial requirements. I also would have liked to have had more information about requirements of the major I am in. I didnt learn REAL details until arriving here at school.

    Read all  21 answers
  11. Here's your chance: Say anything about your college!

    The people that go to my school, Western Illinois University are some of the nicest people you will ever meet. Because it is located in such a small town, people get pretty close. Everyone seems to be extremely respectful. It was one of the first places that almost everyone holds the door open for you, and says please and thank you. Classrooms are filled with kind people who are willing to give you help, inside the class and out. The people are really great, which is the most appealing quality to me.

    Read all  19 answers
  12. What do you brag about most when you tell your friends about your school?

    I tell them about the great friends i have made at school.

    Read all  18 answers
  13. What's the most frustrating thing about your school?

    The most frustrating thing about my school is the large amount of people in my lecture classes.

    Read all  17 answers
  14. What is the stereotype of students at your school? Is this stereotype accurate?

    The main stereotype for students at my school is that we are all just a bunch of crazy part animals. Everyone says that WIU is one of the biggest part schools in the Midwest. This is not completely accurate. There are quite a few people who go out multiple times a week, but the only reason that people know that is because it's all they have to talk about. Most of the people I talk to on a daily basis tend to spend most of their time busying themselves with other things and only going out every now and then. WIU only seems like a huge party school because the kids who go out all the time are very vocal about it and pride themselves on their partying abilities. Those kids are the minority of students, they just tend to be the most vocal about their private lives. Most students at WIU don't typically party a lot, but they may go out every now and then. This school gets a bad rap because of its loud students and even louder parties, like the Wheeler Street block party.

    Read all  11 answers
  15. What is your overall opinion of this school?

    Western is a school that for most is far enough away from their hometown that they don't go home most weekends. It is not too big where you get lost but not small enough that you run into the same people everyday. There are a lot of education and law enforcement majors. A lot of military men and women. There is also a number of people from small towns which allows you to get to know people from various areas and backgrounds. It's easy to get into bars, but the cops have cracked down so be careful if you're underage.

    Read all  9 answers
  16. What are the most popular student activities/groups?

    Greeks are always popular!

    Read all  8 answers
  17. What are the academics like at your school?

    The academics are what you make of it, you get out what you put in. Great for teaching or if you want to be a cop. There's actually a surprising amount of people in fashion merchandising as well. Core classes can be big in the lecture hall but once you get into your major's classes, they're smaller so you can get to know your professors/classmates.

    Read all  6 answers
  18. Why did you decide to go to this school?

    I decided to go to WIU because it is close to home and the tuition is not crazy. I've heard it's a really good school for psychology majors. I also wanted to go to a smaller size campus where I can get to know my classmates and the faculty better.

    Read all  4 answers
  19. What's the Greek scene like?

    It is ok but not as active

    Read all  2 answers
  20. What's the dating scene like?

    There are barely on campus dating people normally date people at other Universities.

    Read all  2 answers
  21. I don't drink. Will it be hard for me to go to parties?

    no i do not drink as well but i still manage to have a blast

    Read all  1 answers

Student Body

Students

51%

female

49%

male

8,543

Total Undergrad Enrollment

1,830

Total Grad Students

6%

Out-Of-State

93%

In-State

1%

International

Organizations

198

Student Organizations

16

Fraternities

11

Sororities

Housing

Yes

On-Campus Housing

35%

of students living on campus

Student Diversity

% American Indian/Alaskan Native
N/A
% Asian/Pacific Islander
1%
% Black or African-American
21%
% Hispanic/Latino
12%
% White or Caucasian
60%

TUITION & AID

All students must apply yearly for financial aid. This process starts with the FAFSA. Though financial aid deadlines vary by school, it is a good idea to apply as soon as possible. For the upcoming school year, you can apply as early as October 1 for the FAFSA. Additional school aid will be dependent on the FAFSA results.

87% of students attending Western Illinois University receive some sort of financial aid. 50% were awarded federal grants. While 70% received federal loans. Many students do also need to apply for additional private student loans.

Cost Out of State

$16,680

Tuition and fees(Out of state)

$900

Books and Supplies

$9,580

Room and Board

27,160

Total On Campus

Actual Cost By Income Level(W/Financial Aid)

Family Income
Cost
$0 - $30K
$13,936
$30 - $48K
$14,156
$48 - $75K
$18,461
$75 - $110K
$21,235
$110K & UP
$22,470

We use student reviews and the most current publicly available data on our school pages. As such, we don't typically remove or edit college information. Sources for school statistics and data include the U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System. Portions of college data include copyrighted material, which is reproduced on this website by permission of Wintergreen Orchard House, a division of Carnegie Communications. © 2009-2016 by Wintergreen Orchard House. All rights reserved.

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