The average acceptance rate at Western Illinois over the past 10 years is 65.50%, and the most recent acceptance rate is 71.18%. Compared to the previous year, it became slightly more competitive to gain admission to Western Illinois in 2025.
The average yield (enrollment rate) over the period is 18.82%, and the 2025 yield is 10.27%. Overall, the yield has decreased by 56.29% from 2015 to 2025.
The number of Western Illinois applicants increased by 2.30% (195 applicants) compared to the previous year. Over the entire 10-year period, applicants decreased by 20.25% overall.
Key Takeaways: Western Illinois Admission Metrics
Acceptance Rate Overview
The current acceptance rate for the 2025 admission cycle is 71.18%, showing a decreasing selectivity trend. This suggests that Western Illinois is admitting a higher proportion of applicants, which may indicate either an increase in application quality or a strategic enrollment decision by the institution.
Yield Rate & Enrollment Patterns
The admission yield (the percentage of admitted students who enroll) for the 2025 academic year is 10.27%. The declining yield trend suggests that a lower percentage of admitted students are choosing to enroll at Western Illinois. This pattern may reflect increased competition from peer institutions, changing student demographics, or shifts in institutional enrollment strategy.
Application Volume & Admission Trends
For the 2025 admission cycle, Western Illinois received approximately 8,674 applications, admitted 6,174 students, and enrolled 634 students. The declining application volume may indicate shifts in student interest patterns or broader demographic changes affecting college enrollment. Understanding these trends is crucial for prospective students and families assessing Western Illinois's position in the competitive admissions landscape.
Acceptance Rate Changes
Western Illinois 10-Year Admission Rate Summary: The acceptance rate trends at Western Illinois over the past decade show a relatively stable trend, with fluctuations in both directions. The average acceptance rate over this period is 65.50%, while the most recent rate stands at 71.18%. This data reflects the institution's evolving competitiveness in the higher education admissions landscape.
For the most recent admission cycle (2025), the acceptance rate is 71.18%. By gender, the average acceptance rate for men is 62.80% and for women is 67.44%.
The following table and chart show how acceptance rates at Western Illinois have changed over the past 10 years (2015-2025).
Admission Yield (Enrollment Rate) Changes
Western Illinois has demonstrated a decline in admission yield over the past 10 years. The institution's yield rate has decreased from 23.49% in 2015 to 10.27% in 2025, representing a 56.29% decrease. The 10-year average yield stands at 18.82%, reflecting weakening enrollment performance.
The following table and chart illustrate the changes in yield at Western Illinois from 2015 to 2025. The admission yield has decreased by 56.29% over this period.
Applicants, Admitted, and Enrolled Headcount Changes
Over the past 10 years, The average number of applicants is 8,842, the average number of admitted is 5,765, and the average number of first-year enrolled students is 1,076.
The number of Western Illinois applicants increased by 2.30% (195 applicants) compared to the previous year. Over the entire 10-year period, applicants decreased by 20.25% overall.
The following table and chart show the changes of applicants, admitted, and enrolled headcount at Western Illinois University from 2015 to 2025.
Compare Acceptance Rate Change to Similar Colleges
The following table compares Western Illinois University' acceptance rate to similar schools.