About Western Illinois University

Western’s GradTrac program ensures that a student in an approved degree plan, who adheres to his or her academic plan, is guaranteed to graduate within four years. It is one of the few such programs at public universities in the United States.

One of the Best

For the fifth consecutive year, Western has been named one of the best colleges and universities in the Midwest by The Princeton Review. Western was selected as one of 158 institutions it profiles in The Princeton Review's 2010 Best Colleges "Best in the Midwest" section. Western also continues to be ranked in the top tier of Midwest Universities Master's granting institutions, according to U.S. News and World Report's Annual College Rankings 2010 edition. Western is among 20 public universities included in the Midwest top tier of 74 masters institutions.

In addition, Western was recently designated as a "Military Friendly School" by G.I. Jobs Magazine, and is also recognized as one of only two Illinois public universities for the Center for Student Opportunity's (CSO) "College Access and Opportunity Guide" for its retention of first-generation and low-income students. Western has also received a "Best Practice" recognition from the Pell Institute for the Study of Opportunity as one of only 13 institutions nationally for the retention of first-generation and low-income students.

A College Experience that Meets Your Needs

Western Illinois University offers a caring and supportive learning environment in the heart of west central Illinois. We provide:

A traditional residential campus in Macomb (view our Welcome to Western video - 5:30 minutes)
A commuter campus in the Quad Cities (Moline, IL)
Classes at extension sites throughout Illinois, including The Shedd Aquarium in Chicago
Distance learning options and online classes

Why choose Western Illinois University?

Quality academics
Dynamic campus life
Best value for your money
A caring and supportive learning environment

Students on campus.

Students & Faculty

Full-time faculty teach 95% of classes, guiding student learning, discovery and performance
Average undergraduate class size is 28 students
Student-to-Faculty ratio is 17:1
Enrollment: 13,400 students

Something Extra

Western Illinois students have all the advantages of large public universities - accomplished faculty; modern technologies and facilities; and broad academic and extracurricular opportunities. And we give you the extras that larger public universities can’t – personalized attention from our faculty, administrators and staff.

College Portrait Report

In keeping with the recommendation by the United States Department of Higher Education, Western has agreed to provide a "College Portrait" based on the guidelines developed by a national committee. Western is proud to be an early adopter of this program and invites you to view our online College Portrait report.