Western Illinois University

In 2022, Western Illinois University's tuition was $9,801 a year for in-state students and $9,801 a year for out-of-state students.

On average, college tuition rises about 3% year.

If this information makes going to college feel scary, remember, the advertized cost of tuition doesn't mean much if you plan to use financial aid to help pay for college. Many students pay much less than the total tuition after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts are awarded. And, student loans can make the amount you do have to pay out of pocket feel more doable until after graduation.

Western Illinois University meets 50.1% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates. First-year students that attend Western Illinois University full-time are awarded $17,238 a year in financial aid, on average.

The average student debt for graduates in the class of 2023 was around $26,200 per student, not including those with no debt.

Does Western Illinois University Offer In-State and Out-of-State Tuition?

Western Illinois University is a public, state institution, which means it offers a reduced tuition rate of $9,801 for in-state students who attend full-time.

Public colleges and universities receive funding from the state government. Public, state schools can offer lower tuition for students who meet the requirements for in-state residency.

Attending an insitution where you qualify for in-state tuition can drastically reduce the cost of tuition, as well as loans and interest owed. Be sure to confirm your state's rules for in-state tuition. Every state has its own rules about what makes someone eligible for in-state tuition. In many states, students must have lived in the state for 12 months before starting school to qualify for in-state tuition. There may be additional requirements as well, depending on where you live.

Explore other Illinois colleges

Is Western Illinois University's Tuition Different for International Students?

Tuition at Western Illinois University is the same for all students.

International students are not eligible for loans or grants from the U.S. government, but may be eligible for private or Western Illinois University-specific grants, scholarships, and other funding opportunities. International students with need may qualify for the following types of financial support at Western Illinois University:

•Western Illinois University-specific scholarships

International students without financial need may be eligible for merit-based institutional scholarships and athletic awards.

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Western Illinois University Living Expenses, Fees, and More

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In addition to tuition, there are other costs associated with college, like room and board, facility fees, and books and supplies. Let's take a look at what impacts these costs, and what to expect at Western Illinois University.

Room and Board Costs at Western Illinois University

Housing and campus dining at Western Illinois University is $1,630 a year. This number includes the cost of living in dorms or other on-campus housing, plus a dining plan that allows you to eat in the school dining facilities.

Meal-plan costs may vary depending on the number of meals you intend to eat on-campus

Cost of Books at Western Illinois University

The cost of books often surprises first-year college students. The actual cost of books depends on the courses you take and the textbooks, computer programs, or other materials are required.. To save money, many students choose to use books from the library or buy used textbooks and materials.

Yearly Fees

Most schools also have fees to offsets cost associated with maintaining facilties, like the computer labs and libraries, athletic facilities, and more.

There may be other costs associated with participating in certain activities, like joining a fraternity or sorority, or participating in sports or other extracurriculars. Many schools offer resources so that those with financial need to get help covering these fees.

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles: Transportation costs at Western Illinois University

The cost of getting around in college can really vary. Will you take a subway, car or an airplane to get to school? Is on-campus parking free, or will you need to budget for parking? Is the campus small enough that you can easily walk from class-to-class?? Do you own a car, or will you need to use public transportation? All of these questions can drastically impact your estimated cost of transportation. At Western Illinois University, freshman are allowed to park on campus.

A school's location can also have a big effect on the amount you'll have to spend just to get around. Small, rural schools may be easier to get around, but the cost of getting to campus may be higher. On the other hand transportation in a city is sometimes pricey, but there may be more trains, busses or low-cost flight options to actually get to school. Western Illinois Universityis in a town in Illinois, not far from Quad Cities; Peoria ; Springfield.

Other Costs

When creating a budget for college, be sure to consider the cost of things like going out to eat or see shows, furnishing your living space, and things like haircuts, clothes and, yes, even toilet paper and shampoo.

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Financial Breakdown for Western Illinois University

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Now, let’s go over all of the costs we've covered, to get a better estimate of the actual cost of attending Western Illinois University.

Total Cost of Western Illinois University

What will the cost of attending Western Illinois University be? Here is a breakdown of tuition and expenses.

2023 Total Tuition and Expenses
In-state Tuition	$9,801
Out-of-State Tuition	$9,801
Room and Board	$1,630

The total estimated cost will vary depending on whether you are going to live on-campus or off-campus.

Tuition and fees may vary depending on program, course level, location, and more.

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Western Illinois University Financial Aid

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In 2023, 2,566 of the 5,394 undergrads enrolled received financial aid. Western Illinois University meets 50.1% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates.

The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student is around $17,238 a year. Around 89% of Western Illinois University undergrads take out student loans to cover any remaining costs. Western Illinois University graduates who have student loans graduate with an average of $26,200 of student loan debt.

The average debt for each loan type varies.

Average Debt By Loan Type
Federal Loans	$22,581
Private Loans	$23,947

Most Common Loans for Western Illinois University Students
Federal Loans	89%
Private loans	13%

Most students take out institutional or government loans, because they tend to have lower interest rates and more flexible repayment options than private loans. Loans from the federal government can be subsidized or unsubsidized. Subsidized loans do not accrue interest during school, while unsubsidized loans begin accruing interest at the time the loan is issued. If students do no qualify for enough federal loans to cover the cost of tuition, some take out private loans. Parents can also take out ParentPLUS loans, which are government loans for parents who are helping their children pay for college.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) helps colleges determine how much financial need students and their familes have, so they can offer a financial aid package that meets, or come close to meeting, their need. For more information on Western Illinois University financial aid, keep reading, or visit their financial aid website.

Scholarships at Western Illinois University

Some students may receive grants and scholarships to help pay for college. Unlike loans, scholarships and grants do not have to be paid back.

In 2023, Western Illinois University awarded 2,141 need-based scholarships to students, giving away total of $34.1 million to help students with financial need cover the cost of school. An additional $5.38 million in merit-based scholarship money was awarded to students without demonstrated financial need.

Western Illinois University Net Cost

The net price of college is the actual cost of attending a school for one year. Net cost is calculated by subtracting any scholarships, grants or other aid that does not need to be paid back from the total cost. Student loans are not part of the calculation, because they need to be repaid.

Now that we have a sense of the total estimated costs for Western Illinois University students, we can subtract the average financial aid package to find the estimated net cost. Net cost can vary depending on a students’ need and the financial aid award received.

When considering whether a school fits your budget, it is important to consider the estimated net cost, not just the sticker price of tuition. Often, schools with the highest tuition also offer the most generous aid packages, so estimate your net cost before eliminating a school because it does fit your budget.

The average amount of financial aid received by a full-time first year student with demonstrated need at Western Illinois University was $17,238 in 2023. By substracting the average financial aid package from the estimated costs, we get a number that may make the cost of Western Illinois University seem more manageable.

Estimated Net Cost for Full-Time Students
In-State, On-Campus	$-19,998
Net In-state, Off-campus	$-4,390
Out-of-State, On-Campus	$-2,760

Note: a negative number can indicate that a refund will be given to use toward other expenses such as housing, fees, and books. In such cases, be sure to reach out to the school directly for any clarification or questions.

What will attending Western Illinois University really cost you? The answer depends on several factors.

As of 2011, colleges are required to have a net price calculator on their website to help prospective students and their families make more informed decisions about the actual cost of attending that school, based on their financial situation. You can find the Western Illinois University's net cost calculator on their website.

Western Illinois University Tuition Payment Plans

Some students choose to use payment plans to make the cost of tuition fit more comfortably in their budget.

Students cannot pay tuition in installments. Contact the financial aid office to verify this and discuss options.

Western Illinois University Tuition Waivers

Schools sometimes waiver tuition for certain groups, to offset the cost of attending. Some schools offer tuition waivers for employees and their family members, underrepresented students, or military students. Even if you qualify for a waiver, students are usually responsible for housing, meal plans, and other expenses.

Check the financial aid website for more information on payment plans and tuition waivers.

Western Illinois University's Endowment

An endowment is the total value of a school's investments, donations, and assets. Endowment is not necessarily an indicator of the quality of a school, but it can give you a sense of how much money a college can afford to invest in expanding programs, improving facilities, and supporting students.

As of 2022, the total market value of Western Illinois University's endowment was $84.3 million. The average college endowment was $905 million in 2021. For each full-time student, Western Illinois University spends about $15,926 a year.

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Learn More About Western Illinois University

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Click below to find out more about the admissions requirements and deadlines, student life, academics, majors and more.

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