Western Illinois University
#1 Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Illinois- Graduation Rate
- 45% D+
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $54,163 B
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $12,937 B-
- 25% less than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 71% C+
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C+ overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 28.1× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $28.1 over 20 years. Ranked #1 in Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Illinois.
Every $1 spent returns $28.1 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,404,003.
What The Data Says
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A C+ overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Earnings 33% above the national college median.
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Graduation of 45% — 21% below the national average.
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Every $1 invested returns $28.1 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Economic Footprint
- Inventor Rate
- 0.2%
- Top 81%
- Patents
- 15
- Linked to graduates
- Patent Citations
- 56
- Downstream influence
Why Western Illinois University Matters
Western Illinois University is a public university in Macomb, IL and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public University
- Carnegie Class
- Master's University
- Enrollment
- 4,410
- Setting
- Town
- Primary Strengths
- Criminal Justice, Business & Marketing, Humanities, Psychology
Why students choose Western Illinois University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Competitive — admits about 71% of applicants. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $12,937 a year after grants and scholarships — 25% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $54,163 ten years after enrolling — 33% above the typical college, against $25,251 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.2% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 67% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.56 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
Western Illinois University has an enrollment of 4,410 students and an acceptance rate of 71%. This makes it an accessible option for many prospective students seeking a degree in a supportive environment.
The Chetty/Opportunity Insights data is not available for Western Illinois University, but graduates earn a median income of $54,163 ten years after enrollment. This figure suggests that many students find pathways to solid employment after completing their degrees, contributing to their economic mobility.
The net price for students is $12,937, with a median debt of $25,251. About 28% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating that the university serves a diverse population, including those from lower-income backgrounds. Students in programs such as Criminal Justice, Business & Marketing, and Education tend to thrive here, finding both personal and professional fulfillment.
Rankings
- #1 Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Illinois
- #9 Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Illinois
- #12 Best Communications Colleges in Illinois
- #12 Best Online Education Programs in Illinois
- #15 Best Bachelor's Programs in Illinois
- #15 Best Master's Programs in Illinois
- #15 Best Online Computer Science Programs in Illinois
- #15 Best Online Business Programs in Illinois
Can I Get In?
How selective Western Illinois University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Western Illinois University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Macomb, Illinois, Western Illinois University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 71%. The graduation rate is roughly 45%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 71%
- Retention Rate
- 61%
- Full-Time Faculty
- 85%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $10,238
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 13:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.61
- First-Gen Students
- 38%
- Applicants
- 9,219
- Admitted
- 6,914
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Western Illinois University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Western Illinois University is $15,264, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $12,937. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $6,941 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $25,251 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $15,264
- Out-of-State
- $15,264
- Avg Net Price
- $12,937
- Median Debt
- $25,251
- Pell Grant Rate
- 28%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 32%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $6,941
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $8,787
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $12,062
- Family Income $110K+
- $19,701
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Western Illinois University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Western Illinois University earn a median of $54,163, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $43,057
- 8 Years
- $48,456
- 10 Years
- $54,163
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.47x
- Earning > $25K
- 69%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (477)
- 30%
- 100% (477)
- 30%
- 100% (477)
- 30%
- 100% (477)
- 30%
How Western Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Western Illinois University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Western Illinois University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $12,937/year ($51,748 total). Graduates earn $54,163 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,455,751 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,404,003 (28.1× your investment). The median debt is $25,251, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 45% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $51,748
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,455,751
- Net Return
- $1,404,003
- ROI Multiple
- 28.1×
- Cost Per Year
- $12,937
- Median Debt
- $25,251
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 45%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Western Illinois University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Western Illinois University is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.15%, in line with strong performers nationally. About 4.8% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 24.2% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $93,400, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.15%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 24.2%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 4.8%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $93,400
Innovation & Knowledge Creation
Patents, inventors, and research influence · Opportunity Insights & Times Higher Education
Western Illinois University produces inventors at a measurable rate, with 15 patents tied to its graduates.
- Inventor Rate
- 0.17%
- Top 81% nationally
- Patents Produced
- 15
- Linked to graduates
- Patent Citations
- 56
- Downstream influence
- Inventors From Low-Income
- 0.23%
- Bottom-20% families
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $9,990,008
- Investment Income
- $183,947
Top Programs
The fields Western Illinois University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Each links to its degree guide — with salary, growth, and the schools with the strongest outcomes.
- Criminal Justice 17%
- Business & Marketing 13%
- Humanities 12%
- Psychology 6%
- Education 6%
- Health Professions 6%
- Visual & Performing Arts 6%
- Communications 6%
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Western Illinois University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Marketing Manager$156,580 · 8% growthAdaptable 64
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- CPurchasing Manager$131,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- B+Nurse Practitioner$129,480 · 40% growthResilient 96
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Western Illinois University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Macomb, Illinois, Western Illinois University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 71%. The graduation rate is roughly 45%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Western Illinois University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Western Illinois University is $15,264, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $12,937. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $6,941 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $25,251 in federal student loans.
Is Western Illinois University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Western Illinois University earn a median of $54,163, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Western Illinois University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Western Illinois University is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.15%, in line with strong performers nationally. About 4.8% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 24.2% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $93,400, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Western Illinois University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Western Illinois University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.56, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.00), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 7% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Western Illinois University.
- Eastern Illinois UniversityCharleston, IL · Close peer46% grad $51,989 earn 65% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of Southern MainePortland, ME · Close peer43% grad $49,958 earn 79% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of Michigan-FlintFlint, MI · Close peer42% grad $53,230 earn 70% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Bowie State UniversityBowie, MD · Close peer38% grad $54,537 earn 72% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of South Carolina-UpstateSpartanburg, SC · Close peer43% grad $48,587 earn 67% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
- University of Wisconsin-River FallsRiver Falls, WI · Close peer59% grad $54,458 earn 82% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar size · similar net price
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Western Illinois University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Western Illinois University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.56, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.00), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 7% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note