Western Illinois University

General Information about Western Illinois University

Western Illinois University serves more than 13,000 students with almost 11,000 undergraduates. Around 92% of its students come from Illinois. The Macomb campus houses the majority of Western Illinois University's students, with Moline accounting for a little more than 2,000 students.

Founded in 1899 as a teacher's school, Western Illinois University still keeps that mentality with a student-to-faculty ratio of 16:1 and 95% of the classes are taught by full-time faculty members. In 2009, U.S. News & World Report ranked Western Illinois University as the 15th best public master's university in the Midwest. Also in 2009, The Princeton Review named the university as one of the top 150 of America's Best Value Colleges.

Admissions and Enrollment Information

Undergraduate applicants must send in high school transcripts, ACT or SAT scores and fill out an application. If prospective employees send in their application via the Internet, they can save $5 off the application fee. Transfer students must also send in their transcripts from previous institutions, ACT or SAT scores, high school transcripts and a completed application.

Those who enroll at Western Illinois University as an undergrad are guaranteed a 4-year rate for room and board, tuition and fees. As a result, the costs will stay the same during those four years. Western Illinois University was the first university in the state to offer this benefit and the only one in the state to currently include room and board and fees in the gesture. Additionally, the university offers in-state tuition rates to all students, regardless if they're from Illinois, another state or even another country.

Western Illinois University Academic Departments

College of Arts and Sciences

The College of Arts and Sciences offers both a bachelor's and master's program. The college encourages transfer students with an associate's degree to further their education within the department, stating the students can obtain a bachelor's degree in four semesters. The second-most popular undergraduate degree and the fourth most popular graduate degree at Western Illinois University is biology, which is in the College of Arts and Sciences.

College of Business and Technology

Created nearly 40 years ago, the College of Business and Technology has 17 undergraduate and 5 graduate programs. Classes are offered at both campuses for the nearly 2,200 undergrads and more than 200 graduate students. Those enrolled in the college can choose from such departments as agriculture, engineering technology, computer science and accountancy.

College of Education and Human Services

With 13 departments used to teach 11 undergraduate and 15 graduate degrees, the College of Education and Human Services prepares its students for work as teachers or human service professionals. The college encourages its participants to partake in research opportunities, grants and other hands-on learning experiences. Academic programs in the department include social work, special education, kinesiology and military science.

College of Fine Arts and Communication

The College of Fine Arts and Communication has a newly constructed Performing Arts Center where students can showcase their talents. The six departments in the college include communication sciences and disorders, music, theatre and dance, broadcasting, art and communication. A highlight of the college is the Museum Study Program, which is a master's program that allows students to work with professionals at a museum in Iowa.

Contact Information

• Address: 1 University Circle, Macomb, IL 61455
• Phone Number: (309) 295-1414