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Western Illinois University

8.1(2)
VerifiedPublicEstd. 1895
Founded
1895
Type
Public
University Guide

About Western Illinois University

Explore overview, courses, fees, admissions, campus life, scholarships and student accommodation guidance in one premium Admistay guide.

Western Illinois University is a public university with a main campus in Macomb, Illinois, U.S. It was ranked 57th by US News among the top universities across the Midwest in 2025. The university offers 64 undergraduate degree programs, 38 graduate programs, 2 doctoral programs, and 9 pre-professional degree programs across three intakes: spring, summer, and fall. Some popular programs include M.B.A., M.S. in Computer Science, M.S. in Engineering Technology, M.S. in Instructional Design and Technology, and M.S. in Chemistry. WIU has an acceptance rate of 75%. The selection at Western Illinois University is determined by multiple factors, including the English language skills for non-native speakers. A TOEFL score of at least 73 and an IELTS score of a minimum 6.0 are accepted by the university for admission to both undergraduate and graduate programs. Besides, the academic eligibility criterion is scoring a GPA of 2.75 or above for both undergraduate and graduate programs at WIU. Recruiters such as Google, Disney, KPMG, Walmart Corporate, Deloitte, and the FBI form part of the recruitment process at Western Illinois University United States.

Table of Contents

  1. Western Illinois University Highlights
  2. Western Illinois University Courses and Fees
  3. Western Illinois University Admission
  4. Western Illinois University Application Deadline
  5. Western Illinois University Scholarships
  6. Western Illinois University Placement
  7. Western Illinois University Campus and Infrastructure
  8. FAQ

Western Illinois University Highlights

Given below are the highlights for Western Illinois University United States.

Particulars Details
Establishment Year 1899
Location Macomb, Illinois, United States
Type of University Public
Ranking US News 2025 #57 (Regional Universities, Mid-West)
Acceptance Rate 75%
Intakes Fall, Spring, Summer
Popular Programs M.B.A., M.S. Computer Science, M.S. Engineering Technology, M.S. Instructional Design and Technology, M.S. Chemistry
Campus 2
Contact (309) 762-9481
Address 1 University Cir, Macomb, IL 61455, United States
Official Website wiu.edu

Western Illinois University Courses and Fees

Western Illinois University offers multiple undergraduate and graduate programs, as mentioned in the Western Illinois University courses and fees table below.

Courses Duration Annual Fees (USD) Annual Fees (INR)
M.B.A 2 years 12,647 10.8 lakh
M.S. Computer Science 2 years 13,230 11.3 lakh
B. A. Applied Music 4 years 36,600 31.3 lakh
M.S. Engineering Technology 2 years 41,000 35 lakh
M.A. Communication 2 years 41,000 35 lakh
B.S. Clinical Laboratory Science 4 years 36,600 31.3 lakh
B.S. Biochemistry 4 years 36,600 31.3 lakh
M.S.Chemistry 2 years 41,000 35 lakh
M.S. Instructional Design and Technology 2 years 41,000 35 lakh
B.S. Agriculture 4 years 36,600 31.3 lakh

Western Illinois University Admission

Admission at Western Illinois University for graduate and undergraduate programs takes place mainly in two intakes (with a limited number of programs in summer intake), and the application fee is $50 (₹4,292). It is based on satisfying the eligibility criteria along with other requirements such as document verification, LOR, and English test scores. The tables given below categorize WIU admission requirements for graduate and undergraduate programs based on specific criteria.

Western Illinois University Graduate Admission Requirements

WIU accepts graduate applications mainly around the fall and spring semesters after meeting the set criteria for admission, as mentioned in the table below.

Particulars Details
Application Fee $50 (₹4,292)
Fall (August) Deadline Application - April 1
Documents - April 15
Financial documents - June 1
Spring (January) Deadline Application - October 1
Documents - October 15 (including financial documents)
Academic eligibility Qualified bachelor's degree
GPA ≥ 2.75 on a 4.0 scale (combined undergraduate)
English Proficiency Test Scores TOEFL ≥ 73
IELTS ≥ 6.0
ITEP ≥ 3.7
PTE Academic ≥ 49
TOEFL Essentials ≥ 8.0
Duolingo score ≥ 105

Western Illinois University Undergraduate Admission Requirements

Admission to Western Illinois University is based on qualifying 10+2 with at least a 2.75 GPA. Besides, WIU also requires other criteria for enrollment in its programs as listed in the table below.

Particulars Details
Application Fee $50 (₹4,292)
Academic eligibility Qualified high school equivalent to a US High school diploma GPA ≥ 2.75 on a 4.0 scale
English Proficiency Test Scores TOEFL ≥ 73
IELTS ≥ 6.0
ITEP ≥ 3.7
PTE Academic ≥ 49
TOEFL Essentials ≥ 8.0
Duolingo score ≥ 105

WIU Admission Documents

The following documents are required for admission to Western Illinois University graduate and undergraduate programs.

  • Degree/diploma/complete academic records, mark sheets, and certificates
  • English test scores (non-native English speakers)
  • Copy of passport
  • Evaluation of full secondary records from World Education Services (WES)/The Evaluation Company (TEC)/International Education Evaluation (IEE)
  • Evidence of Financial Proof for 1st year
  • GMAT/GRE scores (program specific)
  • Letters of recommendation

Western Illinois University Application Deadline

Western Illinois University accepts admission applications on a rolling basis all the year. However, some significant deadlines for undergraduate and graduate programs, based on fall (August) and spring (January) for intakes, are mentioned in the table below.

Event Deadline
Fall deadline - Freshman August 1
Fall deadline - Transfer August 1
Fall deadline - International April 1
Spring deadline - Freshman November 1
Spring deadline - Transfer December 1
Spring deadline - International October 1

Western Illinois University Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at Western Illinois University is 75%. As per the official website, the total number of undergraduate enrollment was 7,624, with 4% from the international community.

Also, check the comparison table.
Western Illinois University vs Northern Illinois University
Western Illinois University vs the University of Nebraska

Western Illinois University Scholarships

Scholarships at Western Illinois University are distributed in the fall and spring semesters when the students meet the criteria for scholarships as mentioned in the table below.

Particulars Amount Details
International Undergraduate $6,000 (₹515,040) per year GPA ≥ 4; full-time student
$4,000 (₹343,360) per year GPA - 3.99 - 3.50; full-time student
$2,000 (₹171,680) per year GPA - 3.49 - 3.0; full-time student
International Graduate $4,000 (₹343,360) per year F-1 students, GPA - 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (undergraduate)
International Undergraduate Transfer $2,000 (₹171,680) per year GPA ≥ 3.5
$1,500 (₹128,760) per year GPA - 3.25 - 3.49
$1,000 (₹85,840) per year GPA - 3.0-3.24
International Presidential Scholarship (IPS) Waiver on tuition fee Next available - fall semester 2025
Eligible 6 undergraduate candidates are selected based on merit, post-admission
GPA ≥ 3.5
Undergraduate Regional Diversity Scholarship $3,000 (₹257,520) South and Southeast Asia, Africa, Latin America, and Caribbean countries
GPA ≥ 2.5; full-time student
President Huang International Student Scholarship $500 (₹42,920) Full-time international students with strong academic skills
Rodney and Bertha Fink International Women's Scholarship $1,200 (₹103,008) Female international student, preferably from a developing country, majoring in Agriculture or Agriculture Business
Macomb Branch AAUW International Student $500 (₹42,920) Full-time international undergraduate student (current) with at least a 2.5 GPA
Francis and Peggy Davern International Scholarship $325 (₹27,908) Full-time international student with LOR from a WIU international alum
GPA ≥ 3.5 (graduates)
GPA ≥ 2.5 (undergraduates)

Western Illinois University Cost of Living

Western Illinois University provides both on-campus and off-campus placements to students. However, all the undergraduate students are required to stay on campus in the residence halls/dorms for the first 4 years of the semester (exceptional when married or older than 24 years).

  • These residence halls have shared kitchens, shared bathroom facilities.
  • Residence halls are separate for first-year students and others.
  • Sophomore, Junior, Senior & Graduate Halls are Thompson Hall, Grote Hall, Corbin & Olson Hall, and Lincoln & Washington Hall.
  • Further, there are also University Village and Westbrook House on-campus housing facilities for graduate students.
  • Whereas, freshman or the first-year halls are Thompson, Lincoln & Washington.
  • WIU maintains a strict policy and a contractual agreement for undergraduates to stay in the residence halls/dorms on campus, except when exceptions have been made.
  • The approximate cost of a residence hall for one semester is $3,000 (₹257,520).
  • The Macomb area is populated with international students due to the off-campus housing requirements.

The table describes in detail the cost of living on campus based on different categories.

Category Fall/Spring (per semester) Summer(per semester)
Double Occupancy $5,944 (₹510,362) $909
Single Occupancy $7,568 (₹649,678) $1,360
Super Double $6,244 (₹536,269) NA
Super Single $7,748 (₹665,035) NA
Corbin Suite - Double $6,244 (₹536,269) NA
Corbin Suite - Single $8,979 (₹771,037) NA
Grote - Double $6,419 (₹551,095) NA
Grote - Single $7,440 (₹638,150) NA

Western Illinois University Placement

Western Illinois University has seen favorable growth in the graduates' employment in sectors such as education, protective services, management, health care, business operations, sales, and social services.

  • The university also offers career support services through online career services, such as Handshake, Big Interview, ONET, and Parker Dewey micro‑internships.
  • WIU organizes career fairs to support students with opportunities.

The table describes the statistics for Western Illinois University based on average salary, employment numbers, and growth percentage in the past 3 years.

Category Annual Employment Numbers (2024) Annual Employment Numbers (2025) Average Salary Growth % (2022-2025)
BS Agriculture 253,223 255,070 $70,881 (₹6,067,776) 3.7%
BS Cybersecurity 193,265 196,519 $97,527 (₹8,354,000) 2%
BS Law Enforcement and Justice Administration 125,926 126,388 $95,743 (₹8,199,000) 0%
Bachelor of Music 212,951 214,770 $56,159 (₹4,813,815) -0.2%
BS Nursing 338,267 342,256 $94,159 (₹8,069,822) 7.1%

WIU involves 40+ recruiters globally. Some of the leading recruiters who recruit graduates of Western Illinois University are given below.

Western Illinois University Campus and Infrastructure

Western Illinois University is located on two campuses, Macomb and Quad Cities. Given below are highlights of the campus and infrastructure facilities for WIU.

Macomb Campus

The Macomb campus is situated on the land of the indigenous people of Illinois (Inoca). It is the main campus located 40 miles east of the Mississippi River. It has the following key features.

  • It covers more than 60 buildings spread over 1,000 acres.
  • This campus includes 7 residence halls, such as the Caroline Grote Hall, Corbin-Olson Hall, Thompson Hall, and Westbrook House.
  • The campus has a range of places to socialize, such as the cafes, restaurants, coffee shops, boutiques, and the Farmer’s Market.
  • The Leslie F. Malpass Library at the Macomb Campus provides a range of research and music content.
  • The residence halls at the Macomb Campus are home to 4,000+ students with high internet connectivity and dining services.

Quad Cities

Quad Cities campus is located on the banks of the Mississippi River in Moline, Illinois. It is a campus for students exploring the graduate degree programs and features the following highlights.

  • The campus includes the fitness center, gaming area, vending areas, and departmental labs.
  • The library at Quad Cities campus is specifically designed for the Quad Cities students.

Western Illinois University is ranked among the top universities across mid Midwest, surrounded by green spaces and rich diversity. The university offers over 100 programs with career support services. It's at par with academic offerings, and a 13:1 student-to-faculty ratio makes it one of the leading choices among recruiters as well as applicants from around the world.

FAQ

Ques. How is the student life beyond academics at Western Illinois University?

Ans. Western Illinois University offers multiple fun activities for students. From the digital rec center to the Harry Mussatto Golf Course, some of the things to look forward to as a student at WIU are given below.

  • Students' union, students' organization, and clubs are the part and parcel of the student life at Western Illinois University.
  • WIU provides a range of dining options, eateries, and coffee shops for students to socialize.
  • There are on-campus housing facilities, such as the residence halls, where all first-year students reside at the beginning of the semester. This provides students with an ample opportunity to connect with a wide variety of cultures around them.
  • WIU also organizes various activities in the performing arts, theaters, dance, sports music.

Ques. What makes Western Illinois University stand out?

Ans. Western Illinois University is known for its academic excellence and high percentage of employed graduates. From career development services to ensuring safety, many unique features make WIU stand out among students globally, as mentioned below.

  • The Leatherneck Link provides students with access to events and activities 24*7, thus helping them remain connected to the life of WIU.
  • Western Illinois University is also a place of inclusive growth with students from all around the world, with the LGBT*QA Resource Center, Veterans Resource Center, and Women's Center.
  • Events such as Rocky After Dark, Fall Fairs, Comedy Shows, and many other events are organized at WIU.
  • The university ensures the safety of students and staff, 24*7 through its organized Office of Public Safety (OPS). Some of the initiatives include the safe walk, emergency alert system, emergency blue light callboxes, crime victim assistance & advocacy, electronic device registration, and student patrols.
  • The first-year advising centre provides insights and resources from professionals and aids students in their journey at WIU.

Ques. Where can I apply for admission to Western Illinois University?

Ans. Western Illinois University provides different portals for admission to its graduate or undergraduate programs. International applicants can apply using the international application portal on the official website. Besides, undergraduate/freshman applicants can also apply via the Common App.

Courses & Fees

Compare courses in a cleaner, easier way

Explore tuition, duration, language, eligibility, and exam requirements without the clutter.

Courses

52

Fee from

₹28,23,693.54

Exams

TOEFL · IELTS

Showing 5 of 45 bachelors

Overview
Degree TypeBachelor
Duration4 years
Study ModeFull Time
LanguageEnglish
Fees
Tuition FeeINR 34.3 L/Yr
Native FeeUSD 36,600 /Yr
Fee trendTuition progression
Official Program Page
Admission Guide

Admission Process

Western Illinois University admission takes place on a rolling basis. However, the WIU considers the admission deadline to ensure the timely selection of international applicants. The deadline for fall intake is April 1, and spring intake is October 1. Western Illinois University admission portals are different for freshmen, transfer, graduate domestic, and international applicants. The application can be applied for online, choosing the category of applicant. WIU's acceptance rate is 75%. It is slightly selective in its application process. Meeting the academic eligibility of passing 10+2 for undergraduates and a bachelor's degree for graduate applicants is a must. Apart from this, all non-native English-speaking applicants must submit evidence of English proficiency. Some of the tests accepted are TOEFL with a minimum score of 73, and IELTS with a minimum score of 6.0. Western Illinois University Duolingo requirements are scoring 105 or above. The Western Illinois University application fee is $50 (₹4,292) for WIU graduate and undergraduate programs.

Western Illinois University Deadline

Admission at Western Illinois University occurs on a rolling basis. However, WIU considers but two significant intakes, fall (August) and spring (January), in consideration as listed in the Western Illinois University admissions deadline table below.

Event Deadline
Fall deadline - Freshman August 1
Fall deadline - Transfer August 1
Fall deadline - International April 1
Spring deadline - Freshman November 1
Spring deadline - Transfer December 1
Spring deadline - International October 1

Western Illinois University MBA Admission

Western Illinois University MBA admission takes place on a rolling basis with an overall GPA requirement of 3.0. Further, the following criteria must be met to secure an MBA seat at WIU.

Particulars Details
Academic eligibility GPA - 3.0 (overall), GPA - 3.0 (last 2 years)
Rolling Admission January, March, June, August, and October
TOEFL Score Minimum 79
IELTS Score 6.5
GMAT Score 500
Documents Required GMAT/GRE scores
Professional certifications (CPA, CFA, PMP)
Transcripts
LOR
Work experience
Contact E-mail: [email protected], (309) 298-2442

Also, check the MBA in the USA


Western Illinois University International Admissions

Western Illinois University admission for graduate and undergraduate programs is based on meeting the eligibility criteria of at least a 2.75 GPA in the bachelor's/ 10+2. Apart from this, the tables given below break down the other factors that influence admission at the university.

Western Illinois University Graduate Admission Requirements

WIU accepts graduate applications mainly around the fall and spring semesters after meeting the set criteria for admission, as mentioned in the table below.

Particulars Details
Application Fee $50 (₹4,292)
Fall (August) Deadline Application - April 1
Documents - April 15
Financial documents - June 1
Spring (January) Deadline Application - October 1
Documents - October 15 (including financial documents)
Academic eligibility Qualified bachelors degree
GPA ≥ 2.75 on a 4.0 scale (combined undergraduate)
English Proficiency Test Scores TOEFL ≥ 73
IELTS ≥ 6.0
ITEP ≥ 3.7
PTE Academic ≥ 49
TOEFL Essentials ≥ 8.0
Duolingo score ≥ 105
Documents Required Degree/diploma/complete academic records and certificates
English test scorescopy of passport, evaluation of full secondary records from WES)/(TEC)/(IEE)
Evidence of Financial Proof for 1st year
GMAT/GRE scores (program-specific)
letters of recommendation

Western Illinois University Undergraduate Admission Requirements

WIU also requires other criteria for enrollment in its programs, as listed in the table below.

Particulars Details
Application Fee $50 (₹4,292)
Academic eligibility Qualified high school equivalent to a US High school diploma
GPA ≥ 2.75 on a 4.0 scale.
Documents Required Evidence of Financial Proof for 1st year, official or attested secondary school records (10+2) records/mark sheets, copy of passport
English Proficiency Test Scores TOEFL ≥ 73
IELTS ≥ 6.0
ITEP ≥ 3.7
PTE Academic ≥ 49
TOEFL Essentials ≥ 8.0
Duolingo score ≥ 105

Western Illinois University Acceptance Rate and Admission Stats

Western Illinois University has an acceptance rate of 75%. According to the fall statistics for 2024, WIU reported a total enrollment of 6,332, with 4,525 undergraduate and 1,807 graduate students. The table describes some significant statistics for WIU Fall 2024 enrollment.

Particulars Details
Total Number of Enrollments 6,332
Undergraduate Enrollments 4,525
Graduate Enrollments 1,807
% Male 40.6%
% Female 59.4%
Enrollment - Illinois 4,899 (77.4%)
Enrollment - Out of State 781 (12.3%)
Enrollment - International 652 (10.3%)

Further, the table shows the Western Illinois University acceptance rate trends for the last 3 years. The university does not publish international acceptance rates for the Fall 2022 and Fall 2021 intakes.

Year International Acceptance Rate Overall Acceptance Rate
Fall 2023-2024 25% 74.9%
Fall 2022-2023 - 73.56%
Fall 2021-2022 - 72.48%

Also, check Interesting Facts About the USA for International Students


Western Illinois University Application Process

The application process at Western Illinois University is streamlined for different applicants - freshman, transfer, graduate as well and international applicants. The common application process involves the following steps.

  • Choose the preferred program and the portal depending on the category you belong to - freshman, transfer, graduate, or international.
  • Create an account on the official website.
  • Upload all the academic and personal information requested, along with the documents required.
  • Submit the application and wait for the admission decision.

Western Illinois University Admission Decision

Admission decisions at Western Illinois University are considered after deciding on factors such as academic qualifications, letters of recommendation, statement of purpose, GPA scores, documents submitted, and English language requirements. WIU takes 2-3 weeks to roll out decisions on the application submitted.

Western Illinois University Visa Admission Process (Post-Admission)

Once the applicant has accepted the offer letter, the following steps are required to obtain a visa.

  • Request an I-20 from the International Office, WIU.
  • Pay the SEVIS fee online
  • Fill out the DS-160 form online
  • Complete the visa application process (including preparation of documents)
  • Attend the visa interview process in your home country (at the U.S. embassy or consulate)
  • Receive your visa and enter the U.S before 30 days of the start of the program

Also, check the Visa Guidelines for Indian Students


Western Illinois University admissions take place on a rolling basis all the year. However WIU admission deadline is to be considered for timely enrollment to the preferred program. This is not where it ends. Accurate academic records from the past school/college of education and documents proving are a must for getting selected at the University of Illinois.


FAQ

Ques. What documents are required for my visa interview round to get admission to Western Illinois University?

Ans. The following documents are required during the visa interview process for entry to Western Illinois University,

  • WIU acceptance letter
  • I-20 form signed
  • Copy of a valid passport
  • Visa application (DS-160 barcode page)
  • Visa processing fee
  • Evidence of finances
  • Sevis Fee payment receipt

Ques. Is it necessary to submit English language proficiency scores for admission at Western Illinois University?

Ans. Submitting the evidence of the English language skill test is one of the essential criteria for Western Illinois University's admission requirements for international students. Therefore, it is mandatory to submit English language skills from one of the following tests taken: TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo, PTE, or ITEP. WIU only exempts you from these tests if you have graduated from an American institution or one of the programs of WIU. SAT scores of at least 580 or ACT scores of at least 22 are also acceptable as a replacement for the TOEFL.

Ques. Where can I reach out for an admission enquiry at Western Illinois University?

Ans. Email at [email protected], contact number - (309) 298-3157 can be used to contact WIU for any admission-related enquiries.

Placements & Recruiters

Western Illinois University Placement Details

Western Illinois University in Macomb, Illinois, United States placement details include salary insights, top recruiters, and hiring trends to help students understand career outcomes and campus opportunities.

Students usually compare highest package, average package, and recruiter profile before applying. This section gives a compact overview of career outcomes and placement visibility in Macomb, Illinois, United States.

Recruiters
N/A
Salary Metrics
0/2
Placement Metric

Highest Package

N/A

Represents the top salary package reported in the available placement information.

Placement Metric

Average Package

N/A

Shows the typical package range students may expect based on the available average salary data.

Placement information is currently limited.

More salary or recruiter data may be updated later for this college.

Rankings over the years

Year-wise highlights from global and country rankings available for this university.

2019

Highlights
2019
  • Best overall country rank: #500
  • Overall: #500 in country
  • Top source: FORBES
  • 1 ranked streams
  • Focus areas: Overall
  • 1 ranking record in 2019

2023

Highlights
2023
  • Education: #62 in country
  • Top source: US News
  • 1 ranked streams
  • Focus areas: Education
  • 1 ranking record in 2023

Contact Information

1 University Circle, Macomb, Illinois, 61455

+1-309-295-1414

Student Reviews & Ratings

Overall sentiment and category-wise rating summary

Overall score

8.1/10
Top Rated

Based on 2 ratings

Rating Breakdown

Visual summary of rating distribution and categories

Live Summary
Academic
8.5/10
Faculty
8.5/10
Infrastructure
8.0/10
Accommodation
9.0/10
Placement
6.0/10
Extracurricular
8.5/10