Western Illinois University
Macomb, Illinois · Public · 71.2% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 54/100 · Below Average Value
Data: 2024-25 College Scorecard release
Western Illinois University posts a 54 ROI score, sitting in the Below Average Value tier. WIU is a midsize Illinois public regional university in Macomb with $15,264 tuition (no separate out-of-state rate reported) and a $12,937 net price after aid. Four-year total cost is $51,748. The score is supported by a strong 37 percent earnings premium (sub-score 78), $54,163 ten-year median earnings against $37,000 at six years, and a 10-year payback period. The drag is completion and debt-to-earnings (0.682 on $25,251 in median debt). Repayment improves over time, rising from 68 percent at one year to 77 percent at seven, which is unusual and encouraging. The program-level data shows real strength: Nursing (B+), Construction Management (B), Computer Science (B), Finance (B), and Agriculture (B, with 79 graduates) all post strong outcomes. The institutional score reflects significant tail risk from the school's substantial Liberal Arts cohort (120 grads, D grade) and broader humanities programs.
Western Illinois University
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $15,264/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $15,264/yr |
| Average net price | $12,937/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $51,748 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $54,163 |
| Average earnings (6yr post-entry) | $37,000 |
| Median debt at graduation | $25,251 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $268 |
| Estimated payback period | 10 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 45.2% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 4,410 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The first number you'll see is the sticker price: $15,264/year, which covers tuition and fees only. After grants, scholarships, and aid, the average student here pays a net price of $12,937/year, or roughly $51,748 over four years. That's the number to plan around.
What you actually pay depends a lot on what your family earns. Families making under $30,000/year pay an average of $6,941/year here, while families earning over $110,000 pay $19,701/year.
Among graduates who borrowed, the median federal loan debt from this school is $25,251, which works out to about $268 a month on the standard 10-year repayment plan. Our debt-to-earnings ratio divides that debt by average earnings six years after entry ($37,000) and comes to 0.68, under 1.0, meaning median debt is less than a full year of those earnings.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $6,941 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $8,787 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $12,062 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $16,294 |
| $110,001+ | $19,701 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Families under $30,000 pay $6,941, a strong value. With a normal progression at this tier, four-year cost is approximately $28,000. Combined with the school's strong earnings outcomes in technical and pre-professional majors, this is genuinely affordable for Pell-eligible Illinois students. The completion-rate risk remains the dominant concern.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
Middle-income families pay $8,787 (the $30,001 to $48,000 tier) to $12,062 (the $48,001 to $75,000 tier). Total four-year cost lands around $35,000 to $48,000. The progression is normal (not inverted).
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families above $110,000 pay $19,701, with the $75,001 to $110,000 bracket at $16,294. The curve is normal. Strong value for high-income students targeting STEM, business, or pre-professional programs.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at Western Illinois University with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $63,125 | C |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences | $55,944 | D |
| Agriculture, General | $58,333 | B |
| Psychology | $44,683 | D |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $70,021 | C |
| Teacher Education | $43,279 | C |
| Biology | $50,855 | D |
| Communication and Media Studies | $51,203 | D |
| Social Work | $54,063 | D |
| Registered Nursing | $86,694 | B+ |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Criminal Justice and Corrections
Criminal Justice is the largest cohort at 197 graduates with C grade. First-year earnings of $40,898 grow to $63,125 by year four, with $26,000 in debt and a 0.636 debt-to-earnings ratio. The earnings progression is healthy and reflects placement into Illinois state and federal law enforcement. WIU has a long-standing reputation in CJ; the program is a feature program despite the C grade.
Agriculture, General
Agriculture produces 79 graduates with B grade. First-year earnings of $48,509 climb to $58,333 by year four, with $18,969 in median debt and a 0.391 debt-to-earnings ratio. Strong pipeline into Illinois agribusiness, commodities, equipment dealers, and farm operations. The combination of low debt and solid earnings makes this one of WIU's clearest financial wins.
Registered Nursing
Nursing earns B+ with 29 graduates. First-year median earnings of $74,490 grow to $86,694 by year four, with $23,750 in median debt and a 0.319 debt-to-earnings ratio. Strong regional RN demand in west-central Illinois and the Quad Cities area. Outstanding value combining strong earnings and reasonable debt at WIU's affordable cost structure.
Liberal Arts and Sciences
Liberal Arts is the second-largest cohort at 120 graduates with D grade. First-year earnings of $38,196 grow to $55,944 by year four, with $28,750 in debt and a 0.753 debt-to-earnings ratio. The progression is real but the entry-level squeeze is uncomfortable. Students drawn to general liberal-arts coursework would do better declaring a specific major with stronger labor-market outcomes.
Computer and Information Sciences
Computer Science produces 26 graduates with B grade. First-year median earnings of $62,578 climb to $92,824 by year four, with $25,250 in median debt and a 0.403 debt-to-earnings ratio. Strong placement into Chicago metro tech, regional Illinois businesses, and remote-work opportunities. The combination of strong earnings and reasonable debt makes this another clear win at WIU.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Median of schools we score |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 68.2% | 68.8% |
| 3-year repayment | 71.9% | 73.6% |
| 5-year repayment | 69.2% | 67.7% |
| 7-year repayment | 76.9% | 72.8% |
Completion Rate
Trends Over Time
How Western Illinois University’s cost and outcomes have moved across College Scorecard releases (2009-2024).
Average Net Price
Completion Rate
Median Earnings, 10 Years After Entry (as reported)
Earnings reflect borrowers measured 10 years after entry and publish on an irregular cadence with a multi-year reporting lag, so this series shows only the years the Department of Education reported - the data is never interpolated.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, release years shown. Net price and completion are reported annually.
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 71.2% |
| Enrollment | 4,410 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 28.1% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $10,238 |
WIU admits 71.2 percent of applicants. SAT and ACT mid-ranges are not reported, indicating test-optional posture.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Western Illinois University (this school) | 54 | $12,937 | $54,163 |
| University of Michigan-Flint | 56 | $7,007 | $53,230 |
| Eastern Illinois University | 54 | $12,786 | $51,989 |
| University of Alaska Fairbanks | 52 | $10,892 | $48,866 |
| University of Massachusetts Global | 52 | $32,654 | $65,703 |
| Chicago State University | 16 | $12,335 | $42,778 |
Who Thrives Here
WIU fits an Illinois student targeting Nursing, Computer Science, Construction Management, Agriculture, or Finance at low cost. Pell rate is 28 percent. Enrollment is 4,410. Strong fits are students with clear vocational direction into pre-professional or technical fields; the school's Agriculture program (79 graduates, B grade) is a notable regional strength serving Illinois farming communities. Poor fits are students drifting into general Liberal Arts (120 grads, D grade) or humanities tracks where the earnings tail does not justify the debt load.
The Verdict: Proceed With Caution
The money case for Western Illinois University is mixed, and worth a hard look before you commit. At $12,937 per year after aid, the typical graduate earns $54,163 ten years after entry, which means it takes about 10 years to earn the cost back. For context, the median payback across the schools we score is about 12 years. Whether it's worth it comes down to your major and your aid package.
What it has going for it: a strong earnings premium over high school graduates. What to keep an eye on: its 45.2% graduation rate, a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.68 (median across the schools we score: 0.61).
Median debt of $25,251 among graduates who borrowed, against average earnings of $37,000 six years after entry, gives a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.68. That is under 1.0 (a full year of those earnings); the median across the schools we score is about 0.61. Your major - and how much you borrow - really matters.
Western Illinois University: Common Questions
Is Western Illinois University worth it?
In our view, the money case is mixed and worth a hard look before you commit. Western Illinois University scores 54/100 on our ROI scale. At $12,937 a year after aid the typical graduate earns $54,163 ten years after entry, so it takes about 10 years to earn the cost back. For context, the median payback across the schools we score is about 12 years.
How much does Western Illinois University cost after financial aid?
The average net price - the cost of attendance (tuition, fees, books, supplies and average living costs) minus grants and scholarships, for full-time, first-time students receiving federal aid - is about $12,937 a year, or roughly $51,748 over four years. Because it counts living costs, it can run above tuition alone. That is the number to plan around. Actual cost varies by family income, per the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard.
What do Western Illinois University graduates earn?
The typical graduate earns about $54,163 ten years after enrolling, roughly $12,363 a year more than the median high-school graduate ($41,800, per NCES, 2022). That earnings gap is what has to cover the cost of the degree.
How long does it take to pay off Western Illinois University?
We estimate the payback period - the time it takes for the earnings bump over a high-school graduate to cover what you spent - at about 10 years for Western Illinois University. The median across the schools we track is about 12 years.
How much debt do Western Illinois University graduates take on?
Among graduates who borrowed, median federal loan debt from this school is about $25,251, against average earnings of $37,000 six years after entry - a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.68. That is under 1.0 (a full year of those earnings); the median across the schools we score is about 0.61. How much you borrow really matters.
What is the graduation rate at Western Illinois University?
The six-year graduation rate is 45.2%. The national average for four-year schools is 64% (NCES, 2022). Completion is 15% of our ROI score, since a degree you don't finish rarely pays back.
NewsletterCollege decisions are better with data.
From CampusROI, when there is something worth acting on.
Rankings & Links
Guides & Tools
Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.