Academic Comparison between Western Illinois and Wheaton

Western Illinois University and Wheaton College are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. Western Illinois is a four-year, public school located in Macomb, IL and Wheaton is a four-year, private (not-for-profit) school located in Wheaton, IL.

Comparison at a Glance

The following list compares two colleges briefly in important perspectives. You can compare them with comprehensive information on full comparison page.

  • Western Illinois is a public and Wheaton is a private (not-for-profit) school and both are four-year schools.
  • Wheaton has more expensive tuition & fees ($45,546) than Western Illinois ($14,572).
  • It is harder to admit to Western Illinois than Wheaton.
  • Western Illinois has more students with 6,332 students while Wheaton has 2,874 students.
  • Wheaton has a lower number of students per faculty with 10 to 1 while Western Illinois's ratio is 12 to 1.
  • Western Illinois has more full-time faculties with 434 faculties while Wheaton has 193 full-time faculties.
Which school is more in your mind and would you like to go to?
Western Illinois Wheaton
Vote to see the other's choices.

Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

Western Illinois Universityvs.Wheaton College
Macomb, IllinoisLocationWheaton, Illinois
Four-year, PublicSchool Typefour-year, Private (not-for-profit)
Doctor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedDoctor's degree
Master's College and University (larger programs)Carnegie ClassificationBaccalaureate College - Arts & Sciences
In-State$14,572
Out-Of-State$14,572
2025 Tuition & Fees$45,546
62%% Receiving Financial Aid92%
$12,943Average Amount of Financial Aid$24,496
71.18 %Acceptance Rates87.40 %
10.27 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)29.89 %
-SAT Score1,380
-ACT Score30
45 %Graduation Rate85 %
31 %Transfer-out Rate-
61 %Retention Rate93 %
6,332Student Population2,874
434Number of Faculties193
12 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio10 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College, Teacher CertificationSpecial Learning OpportunitiesDistance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Teacher Certification
Academic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services, On-campus daycareOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services