Western Illinois University

In 2022, tuition for full-time students at Western Illinois University was $9,515 a year for in-state students and $9,515 a year for out-of-state students.

Usually, colleges raise tuition about 3% each year.

Remember, the displayed price of tuition does not always tell the full story. Many students owe much less than the total tuition after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts kick in. Plus, student loans can make theprice of collegemore manageable until you've finishing school and found a job.

In-state vs. Out-of-state Tuition at Western Illinois University

Western Illinois University is a public, state institution, which means it offers a reduced tuition rate of $9,515 for students who qualify as state residents and attend full-time.

Public colleges and universities receive funding from the state government. These institutions offer a lower cost of attendance for those who qualify as Illinois residents.

Choosing a college where you qualify for in-state residency can cut the cost of college tuition. Be sure to confirm your state's rules for as an in-state resident. 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 too, depending on where you live.

Explore other Illinois colleges

Do International Students Pay More to Go to Western Illinois University?

Tuition at Western Illinois University is the same for each student.

Students from outside of the U.S. usually do not qualify for for loans or grants from the U.S. government, but should research private or Western Illinois University-specific aid and scholarships. 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 Housing 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.

House and Food Costs at Western Illinois University

Housing and campus dining at Western Illinois University costs $1,630 a year. This includes the cost of living in dorms or other on-campus housing, and a dining plan that allows you to eat all or some of your meals the Western Illinois University's on-campus cafeterias and dining halls.

Meal-plan costs may vary depending on how many meals are included in the plan you choose.

Cost of Books at Western Illinois University

First-year students are sometimes surprised by how much books and supplies cost–and not in a good way. The actual cost of books depends on the courses you take and what kinds of books and materials they require. To save money, many students choose to use books from the library or buy used textbooks and materials.

Annual Fees

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

Keep in mind, there could also be optional fees associated with participating in certain activities, like joining a fraternity or sorority, or playing on an intramural sports team. Most colleges have ways so that those who may struggle to participate because of cost can get help covering these costs.

The Cost of Transportation at Western Illinois University

The cost of getting around in college depends on a few key factors. Will you take a subway, car or an airplane to get to school? Will you need to pay to park on-campus? Is the campus small enough that you can easily walk from class-to-class?? Do you plan to bring a car or are you planning to use public transportation? All of these questions can drastically impact your transportation budget. At Western Illinois University, freshman are allowed to park on campus.

The location of a college or university can also have a big effect on your transportation budget. Small, rural schools may be easier to get around, but the cost of getting to campus may be higher. On the other hand getting around in a city is usually pricey, but cities may offer more trains, busses and affordable flights to actually get to school. The Western Illinois University campus is located in a small town setting in Illinois, near Quad Cities; Peoria ; Springfield.

Other Costs

When creating a budget for college, don’t forget to factor in the cost of things like entertainment, clothes, furnishings and toiletries.

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The Full Cost of Attending 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.

How Much Does Western Illinois University Cost?

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

2022 Total Tuition and Expenses
In-state Tuition	$9,515
Out-of-State Tuition	$9,515
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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The majority of Western Illinois University undergrads use financial aid to finance their education. In 2022, 2,774 of the 5,394 undergrads enrolled received financial aid. Western Illinois University meets 42.7% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates.

The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student is around $17,090 a year. Around 88% 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 $28,065 of student loan debt.

The average debt for each loan type varies.

Average Debt By Loan Type
Federal Loans	$24,107
Private Loans	$20,900

Most Common Loans for Western Illinois University Students
Federal Loans	88%
Private loans	17%

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 2022, Western Illinois University awarded 2,158 need-based scholarships to students, giving away total of $37.8 million to help students with financial need cover the cost of school. An additional $4.95 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 $17,090 in 2022. 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	$-23,034.6
Net In-state, Off-campus	$-7,574.6
Out-of-State, On-Campus	$-5,944.6

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 get a better idea of 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.

Does Western Illinois University Offer Tuition Waivers?

Schools sometimes waiver tuition for certain groups, to reduce the total cost of attendance. Some colleges 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.

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Learn More About Western Illinois University

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