Western Illinois University Review

Western Illinois University Overview

Founded in Macomb in 1899, Western Illinois University (WIU) began as a teacher's college and has grown to offer a number of academic programs and courses on a second campus, Western Illinois University-Quad Cities. The university was classified by U.S. News and World Report as one of the top master's universities in the Midwest in 2010. WIU also has a cost guarantee plan that offers a fixed rate for tuition and fees for students who have four years of continuous enrollment.

The university offers a first year experience program, which is available to first-year freshmen students and helps with the transition from high school to college; the Illinois Centennial Honors College is also available for freshmen students. WIU has a total student enrollment of 12,679, which includes students from the Macomb, Quad Cities and extension campuses. The most popular undergraduate majors are law enforcement, biology, elementary education, psychology and agriculture; biology is one of WIU's top graduate majors.

Admission and Enrollment Overview

Prospective students can access a variety of admissions applications, such as undergraduate, international and re-admission, on WIU's website. The university only requires personal statement and letters of recommendation if applicants do not meet the university admission requirements. Once students have been admitted into the university, they will receive a welcome packet that includes housing and course registration materials; the university also has academic advisors, who are available to help during the enrollment process.

Campus Facilities and Learning Environment

The Western Illinois University Library system is comprised of the Leslie F. Malpass Library and curriculum, music and physical sciences libraries. Students can utilize library services, which include class guides, distance learning services, e-reserves, instruction and interlibrary loan. The university's digital commons provides conference rooms, computer labs, viewing rooms and other library resources.

Western has one of the lowest student faculty ratios in the state of Illinois, 16:1, and an average class size of 23. There are 650 computers in the staffed and unstaffed computer labs available on both university campuses; students can access both Windows and Apple software. The Center for International Studies provides a number of study abroad programs that last anywhere from one week to a full academic year; these programs vary in housing options, level of cultural immersion and location.

Colleges at Western Illinois University

• College of Arts and Sciences
• College of Business and Technology
• College of Education and Human Services
• College of Fine Arts and Communication
• Centennial Honors College

Contact Information

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