Western Illinois University College Portrait
Western Illinois University1 University Circle Macomb, IL 61455-1390
(309) 298-3157
Western Illinois University
Located in Macomb and Moline, Illinois
Western Illinois University, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, serves more than 12,000 students at its traditional, residential four-year campus in Macomb, IL and its metropolitan, non-residential campus in Moline, IL. Recognized as a "Best Midwestern College" by the Princeton Review and as a top tier Regional University (Midwest) by U.S. News and World Report, WIU offers 66 undergraduates programs, 37 graduate programs, 10 pre-professional degree programs, 16 post-baccalaureate certificate programs, two post-master's certificates and one doctoral program to students from 87 counties in Illinois, 38 states and 65 countries. Western's campuses are dedicated to providing quality, accessible and affordable education. The WIU-Macomb and Quad Cities campuses are comprised of accomplished faculty, state-of-the-art technology and facilities, and a wide range of academic and extracurricular opportunities. The four core values at the heart of WIU are academic excellence, educational opportunity, personal growth and social responsibility. WIU's Cost Guarantee program ensures that students pay a fixed rate for tuition, fees, plus room and board. WIU remains the only university in Illinois to guarantee the cost for tuition, fees and room and board over a four-year period at both the undergraduate and graduate level.
Living in the Western Community
Because of Western Illinois University's commitment to community engagement and service learning, Western was recently selected for The Carnegie Foundation's Community Engagement Classification. The University, which is one of three Illinois public universities to receive the distinction, joins 310 other institutions across the U.S. achieving the Community Engagement Classification since its 2006 debut.
Western Illinois University's faculty and staff are dedicated to preparing students to be productive citizens, diverse thinkers, and engaged community members through excellence in teaching and learning. Students are also provided with numerous activities and programs to enhance Western's academic mission and provide opportunities for student development and learning. Western sponsors 10 men's and 10 women's sports, and is also the cultural center of the region, with major theatrical and dance productions, concerts, lectures, dramatic presentations, films, and dance attractions.
The Big Picture: How many students were on campus in Fall 2010?
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| Total Students | 12,585 | |
|---|---|---|
Undergraduate Snapshot
| Total Undergraduate Students | 10,474 | |
|---|---|---|
| Gender | ||
| Women | 4,979 | 48% |
| Men | 5,491 | 52% |
| Gender Not Reported | 10474 | 100% |
| Race/Ethnicity | ||
| American Indian / Alaskan Native | 25 | <1% |
| Asian | 94 | 1% |
| African American / Black | 1,145 | 11% |
| Hispanic | 606 | 6% |
| Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander | 21 | <1% |
| White | 7,833 | 75% |
| Two or More Races | 160 | 2% |
| International | 126 | 1% |
| Race/Ethnicity Not Reported | 464 | 4% |
| Where do WIU undergraduates call home? | |
|---|---|
| Illinois | 93% |
| Other US States & Territories | 6% |
| Other Countries | 1% |
| Residency Unknown | <1% |
| How old are WIU undergraduates? | |
| Average Age | 22 |
| Percent of Undergraduates Age 25 or Older | 12% |
New Student Applications (Fall 2010)
New Freshmen High School Background and Test Scores
Test(s) Required for Admission: SAT or ACT recommended
| Test Scores of Enrolled New Freshmen | ACT |
|---|---|
| Composite | 18 - 23 |
50% of admitted students have test scores within the ranges listed, 25% have scores above, and 25% have scores below.
| High School Background of Enrolled New Freshmen | ||
|---|---|---|
| Percent in top 25% of High School Graduating Class | 25% | |
| Percent in top 50% of High School Graduating Class | 58% | |
| Percent of New Freshmen who submitted HS GPA | 82% | |
| Average High School GPA (4-point scale) | 3 | |
| Percent who submitted High School GPA | 98% | |
Sticker Price: How much does it cost on average?
Typical Undergraduate Costs for 2010-11 without Financial Aid (Full-Time, In-State Students)
Total Typical Cost of Attendance: $18,828
The Western Illinois University Board of Trustees determines tuition and fee schedules for the upcoming school year at the June board meeting.
Out-of-State & Other Costs
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The cost to attend Western Illinois University varies based on the individual circumstances of students and may be reduced through grants and scholarships.
How much would I pay?
Financial Aid: How much help is there to pay?
Scholarships & Grants
- 48% of 2010-11 full-time undergraduates received need-based grants or scholarships; the average award for the year was $7,998. Scholarships and grants are financial aid that does not need to be repaid and is sometimes referred to as gift aid.
Annual Need-Based Loans
- 62% of 2010-11 full-time undergraduates received need-based work-study and/or loans (not including parent loans); the average loan for the year was $4,460. Loans need to be repaid. Typically, repayment starts once you are no longer enrolled full-time. Please refer to page 12 of the Funding Education Beyond High School guide on the US Department of Education's Federal Student Aid website for more information about Financial Need.
Percent of 2009-2010 Full-time Beginning Students Receiving Each Type of Financial Aid
NOTE: Students may receive aid from more than one source.
WIU Classes & Instructors
| Classroom Environment | |
|---|---|
| Students per Faculty | 16 to 1 |
| Undergraduate classes with fewer than 30 students | 78% |
| Undergraduate classes with fewer than 50 students | 96% |
| Total Full-Time Instructional Faculty | 660 |
| % of Full-Time Instructional Faculty Who Are Female | 44% |
| % of Full-Time Instructional Faculty Who Are Persons of Color | 14% |
| % of Full-Time Instructional Faculty Who Have the Highest Academic Degree Offered in Their Field of Study | 72% |
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Campus-based Housing
94% of new freshmen live in campus-based housing or residence halls.
43% of all undergraduates live on campus
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Campus Safety
Western Illinois University's Office of Public Safety provides a safe and secure environment for our campus. We are committed to the prevention of crime; protection of life and property; preservation of the peace; order and safety; enforcement of laws and University policies; quality parking services; and the safeguarding of constitutional guarantees.
Campus Crime Statistics
Carnegie Classification of Institutional Characteristics
The Carnegie Classification's were created "to reference the great diversity of colleges and universities in the United States, and ... enable [people] to identify groups of roughly comparable institutions." For information on the Carnegie Classifications system, please visit their website: http://classifications.carnegiefoundation.org/
- Basic Type
- Master's Colleges and Universities (larger programs)
- Size and Setting
- Large four-year, primarily residential
- Enrollment Profile
- High undergraduate
- Undergraduate Profile
- Full-time four-year, selective, higher transfer-in
- Undergraduate Instructional Program
- Professions plus arts & sciences, high graduate coexistence
- Graduate Instructional Program
- Single doctoral (education)
NOTE: Institutional classifications based on the Carnegie 2005 edition.
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Student Activities and Involvement at WIU
Students who are actively involved in their own learning and development are more likely to be successful in college. Colleges and universities offer students a wide variety of opportunities both inside and outside the classroom to become engaged with new ideas, people, and experiences. Institutions measure the effectiveness of these opportunities in a variety of ways to better understand what types of activities and programs students find the most helpful.
Institutions participating in the VSA program measure student involvement on campus using one of four national surveys. Results from the one survey are reported for a common set of questions selected as part of VSA. Following are the selected results from the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE). The questions have been grouped together in categories that are known to contribute to student learning and development. The results reported below are based on the responses of seniors who participated in the survey.
Group Learning Experiences
- 94% percent of seniors worked with classmates on assignments outside of class.
- 48% of seniors tutored or taught other students
- 32% of seniors spent at least 6 hours per week participating in co-curricular activities such as student organizations and intramural sports
Active Learning Experiences
- 77% of seniors spent at least 6 hours per week preparing for class
- 14% of seniors worked on a research project with a faculty member
- 36% of seniors participated in an internship, practicum, or field experience
- 56% of seniors participated in community service or volunteer work
- 4% of seniors participated in study abroad
- 95% of seniors made at least one class presentation last year
Institutional Commitment to Student Learning and Success
- 98% of seniors believe this institution provides support for student success
- 74% of seniors rated the quality of academic advising at this institution as good or excellent
- 70% of seniors reported that this institution provided help in coping with work, family and other non-academic responsibilities
- 94% of seniors reported working harder than they thought they could to meet an instructor's standards or expectations
Student Interaction with Campus Faculty and Staff
- 58% of seniors believed that the campus staff were helpful, considerate, or flexible
- 83% of seniors believed that faculty are available, helpful, or sympathetic
- 95% of seniors reported that faculty members provided prompt feedback on their academic performance
- 70% of seniors discussed readings or ideas with faculty members outside of class
Experiences with Diverse Groups of People and Ideas
- 59% of seniors reported that they often tried to understand someone else's point of view
- 87% of seniors reported their experience at this institution contributed to their understanding people of other racial and ethnic backgrounds
- 42% of seniors often had serious conversations with students of a different race or ethnicity
Student Satisfaction
- 85% of seniors would attend this institution if they started over again
- 87% of seniors rated their entire educational experience as good or excellent
- 80% of seniors reported that other students were friendly or supportive
Evaluation of Experiences
Survey Administration Process
Survey Information
Majors and Degrees
| Degrees awarded at Western Illinois University in 2009-10 | |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's | 2,356 |
| Master's | 694 |
| Doctoral | 4 |
| Total | 3,054 |
| Areas of Study with the largest number of bachelor's degrees awarded in 2009-10 | |
|---|---|
| HOMELAND SECURITY, LAW ENFORCEMENT, FIREFIGHTING AND RELATED PROTECTIVE SERVICES | 14% |
| LIBERAL ARTS AND SCIENCES, GENERAL STUDIES AND HUMANITIES | 11% |
| EDUCATION | 7% |
| COMMUNICATION, JOURNALISM, AND RELATED PROGRAMS | 5% |
| BUSINESS, MANAGEMENT, MARKETING, AND RELATED SUPPORT SERVICES | 5% |
| Links to degree programs at Western Illinois University |
|---|
Bachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral |
Student Success & Progress Rate
A 86% four-year success and progress rate means that 86% of students starting in Fall 2004 either graduated or are still enrolled at a higher education institution four years later.
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Counts for the Fall 2004 entering class shown in the graph above.
- 2,080 First-Time, Full-Time Students
- 1,382 Full-Time Transfer Students
Success & Progress Rate Table
Retention of Freshman Class
First-time students in Fall 2009 that returned for their second year: 73%
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Student Learning at Western Illinois University
All colleges and universities use multiple approaches to measure student learning. Many of these are specific to particular disciplines, many are coordinated with accrediting agencies, and many are based on outcomes after students have graduated.
Central to Western Illinois University's history and tradition is the commitment to teaching, to the individual learner, and to active involvement in the teaching-learning process. Western Illinois University's highly qualified, diverse faculty promotes critical thinking, engaged learning, research and creativity in a challenging, supportive learning community. At Western, plans for the assessment of student learning in each undergraduate and graduate program are developed in accordance with the mission of the program. These support the university's values by continually improving undergraduate and graduate education through identifying learning outcomes, assessing the students' achievement of those outcomes, analyzing the results of learning assessment and using those results as a basis for enhancing the curriculum and the teaching-learning process. All programs report annually on assessment of student learning results, and summaries are posted on the university website.
Learning Assessment Examples
Pilot Project to Measure Core Learning Outcomes
Colleges and universities participating in the College Portrait measure the typical improvement in students' abilities to think, reason, and write using one of three tests. This is part of a pilot project to better understand and compare what students learn between their freshman and senior years at different colleges and universities.
This university is in the process of collecting and analyzing learning outcomes test results.