Western Illinois University
Macomb, Illinois, United States
- Cost of Living$ 13,260
- Tuition Fee From$ 12,300
- Country Rank#463
- Batch Strength6,068
- Global Diversity-
- Gender Ratio-
Overview
About
Western Illinois University (WIU) is a public university in Macomb, Illinois. Originally known as Western Illinois State Normal School, it was established in 1899. The Macomb Freemasons (Illinois Lodge #17) gave the land for the institution to the state of Illinois. Macomb was in direct rivalry with Quincy, Illinois, and other contenders for the location of a "western" university. Macomb was chosen by the Illinois Assembly as the site.
It had a similar emphasis on teacher preparation for the comparatively few students as did many other schools of the time. It expanded in 1957, turning into Western Illinois State Teachers College before eventually becoming a university. The university currently provides 65 undergraduate courses, 19 graduate courses, 37 master's programs, two undergraduate certificate programs, and two PhD programs. Every year, a good number of students enrol in each course, and the university has grown over the years to include 4 colleges that offer instruction in 41 academic departments.
The university competes and takes part in the NCAA Division I Summit League. In the Missouri Valley Football Conference's Division I Football Championship Subdivision, the university's football team plays. The institution participated in the Illinois Intercollegiate Athletic Conference from 1914 through 1970.
Ranking
The Western Illinois University rankings have been increasing in popular world publications and agencies year after year. US News and World Report of 2024 has rated the university on high positions. Western Illinois was ranked #38 in Regional Universities Midwest and #10 in Top Public Schools. The university also gained recognition for being at the #36 position in Top Performers on Social Mobility. Learn more about the different rankings of the university in the list below.
- #1495 - In the World - EduRank 2024
- #404 - In North America - EduRank 2024
- #362 - In the United States - EduRank 2024
- #13 - In Illinois - EduRank 2024
Course-wise Rankings:
- #48 - Best Colleges for Sports Management in America - Niche 2024
- #49 - Best Colleges for Criminal Justice in America
- #342 - Best Colleges for Accounting and Finance in America - Niche 2024
- #238 - Best Colleges for Kinesiology and Physical Therapy in America - Niche 2024
- #440 - Best Colleges for Business in America - Niche 2024
Year
QS Ranks
US News Ranks
2023
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2022
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Facilities
Students will find the Western Illinois University facilities very accessible. There is a lot to do at the university and around it. Around 150 upper-division students live at Caroline Grote Hall, which is connected to Lincoln-Washington. The residence hall, also known as Grote, has several features in common with Lincoln-Washington, such as a common area with a TV and pool, ping-pong tables, and foosball.
There are several libraries at Western Illinois University, including the main Leslie F. Malpass Library, the Physical Sciences Library, the Music Library, the Curriculum Library, and the WIU-Quad Cities Library (Moline, Illinois). Eleven library faculty members and twenty-eight members of the civil service make up WIU Libraries' committed staff. An accredited full-service medical clinic, Beu Health Center provides Western Illinois University registered students with high-quality outpatient care, student health insurance, as well as health education and wellness training. Individual student needs are met at the Beu Health Center in a private and considerate manner.
Notable Alumni
Courses
Admission
Acceptance Rate
Western Illinois University has an acceptance rate of 75% in 2024. It is among the top 39% of the most difficult universities to gain admission to in the United States. Students eyeing this university have to make sure that the grades and scores they submit are high enough to get them accepted into this university. Along with that, paying attention to extracurriculars is of utmost importance.
Entry Requirements
The university offers students 100 undergraduate programs in a variety of fields, including agriculture, elementary education, accountancy, engineering, music, management, psychology, and law enforcement & justice administration. The Western Illinois University entry requirements differ for every course; however, there is a set of requirements for undergraduate and graduate admissions. We have listed all the requisites below.
Undergraduate Admission Requirements
- Online Application Form
- Application fee of 30 USD
- GPA of around 3.3
- ACT and SAT Score after reviewing the high school GPA
- SAT: 1030
- ACT: 20
- SOP to study in the US
- Official transcript
- English Language Requirement
- IELTS: 6.0
- TOEFL iBT: 73
Graduate Admission Requirements
- Online application form
- Application fee of 30 USD
- GPA of around 3.3
- GRE or GMAT score for the specific subject
- Financial Proof with documents
- LORs
- Writing Sample
- Interview
- Portfolio
- English Language Requirement
- IELTS: 6.0
- TOEFL iBT: 73
Fees
The Western Illinois University fees for international students differ based on one course to another. The uni provides financial aid to its first-year students. One can also look out for funding through multiple sources. Scholarships and grants are always given to the student who boasts a strong academic background. Similarly, education loans are also available with full coverage of costs. To help students estimate their tuition costs; we have listed the top courses and their WIU fees below.
- B.Bus Accountancy: $25,900
- M.S Chemistry: $22,941
- M.P.H Public Health: $13,304
- M.A Communication: $20,584
- M.S Engineering Technology: $22,941
- M.S Instructional Design and Technology: $20,584
Scholarship
These are the various scholarships offered to students at Western Illinois State University:
- Presidential Scholarship offers the students 100% financial assistance in tuition fees, room, and meal plan.
- Western Commitment Scholarship provides eligible incoming freshmen with financial aid worth 3,000-8,000 USD.
- Leatherneck Visitor Scholarship offers the amount of 1,000 USD as scholarship to prospective students who attend an event with Undergraduate Admissions.
At UniScholars, they understand that the journey to securing an international scholarship is not a one-size-fits-all endeavour. The advisors take the time to understand your individual goals, strengths, and aspirations, enabling us to curate a customised scholarship strategy that maximises your chances of success.
Finances
Most international students are obligated to show proof of sufficient funds to obtain a visa. While some students may have the opportunity to make use of scholarships, not all students cut the eligibility to get a scholarship or a grant. Moreover, not all scholarships cover 100% of your study abroad expenses. At such times, most students resort to acquiring education loans to avoid the financial hassles associated with studying at the Western Illinois University. For Indian students, UniCreds is the ideal education loan marketplace if you’re looking for low-interest rates and free consultation services!
Accommodation
There are several student housing options available for students planning to attend the Western Illinois University. You may select from a wide choice of affordable yet elegant student flats, halls of residence, studios, en-suites, and more! You have the option of staying on campus in the university halls of residence or a private residence. Because of their proximity to the university, on-campus housing options may be ideal; nevertheless, they tend to fill up fast and are more expensive.
UniAcco simplifies the process of finding student housing and offers a variety of options. As a result, students can select from a wide range of available student accommodations near the university, such as luxury studios, en-suites, and shared apartments that are more inexpensive and student-friendly.
Cost of Living
The cost of living in Macomb can be affordable if students budget their expenses properly. The city of Macomb is expanding and offers a wide range of job possibilities. The community provides a wide range of neighbourhood-based activities and events. Macomb is a tiny town with many dining options students can explore. The shopping scene is a little off in this city however; one can always go to nearby shopping cities that are hardly 1.5 hours away. Check out the various essential items and their costs in the table below.
Items |
Cost |
Off-Campus Accommodation (monthly) |
$450 |
On-Campus Accommodation (monthly) |
$725 |
Transportation (monthly) |
$141 |
Food Cost (monthly) |
$327 |
Utilities (monthly) |
$107 |
Entertainment (monthly) |
$42 |
Markets (monthly) |
$36 |
Clothes (monthly) |
$109 |
Health Insurance |
$80 |
Total cost of living in off-campus accommodation (per month) |
$1,292 |
Total cost of living in on-campus accommodation (per month) |
$1,567 |
Annual Cost of living |
$18,804 |