Western Illinois University (WIU) is a public regional university founded in 1899 in Macomb, Illinois, with a second campus in Moline (Quad Cities). WIU enrolls approximately 6,300 students across undergraduate and graduate programs and is ranked #74 among Regional Universities Midwest by U.S. News 2026. The university is home to the Leathernecks, competing at the NCAA Division I level in the Missouri Valley Conference and Summit League. WIU is particularly known for its nationally recognized Law Enforcement and Justice Administration (LEJA) program — one of the most respected criminal justice programs in the country — as well as strong programs in education, business, music, agriculture, and recreation management. The Macomb campus features a traditional residential setting on the western Illinois prairie, while the Quad Cities campus offers an urban professional education environment for working adults. WIU has a strong commitment to affordability, with one of the most competitive tuition rates among Illinois universities. The university attracts students from across Illinois, the Midwest, and internationally, with approximately 13% of its student body from other countries.
Visa, OPT, H-1B alumni outcomes, and acceptance rates by country — sourced from FOIA, USCIS H-1B Hub, and DHS SEVIS.
The deep admissions playbook beyond the headline acceptance rate — round-by-round breakdowns, nationality data, requirements, and contact paths.
Domestic
—
/yr
Out-of-State / Intl
$18246
/yr
Beyond the sticker price — every named scholarship, the financial aid policy, need-aware notes, and a personalized net-cost estimate.
How life on campus actually feels — clubs, sports, traditions, housing realities, and how the school integrates with its city.
Where alumni go after graduation — top industries, grad-school continuation, and the qualitative outcomes story.
Sticker price (annual, out-of-state): $15,264
Net-cost estimate is US-resident-only — international applicants are typically excluded from need-based aid at most schools and should treat the sticker price as the planning baseline.
