Where do I begin? I am currently enrolled at this institution and the only reason I do not transfer out is because I have one semester left. DO NOT ATTEND THIS SCHOOL! First of all, administration is circling the toilet. It takes WEEKS to get an email response from anyone in any department. Billing, financial aid, advising, etc. Calling is not better because you either get a voicemail or someone that has absolutely no business answering the call due to an utter lack of knowledge surrounding the department which results in a "call back" that never happens. Since enrolling, I have had three classes added to my graduation plan that popped out of nowhere. I have also had teachers leave mid semester, one of which affected my grade so badly, I had to drop the class. When I reached out about getting the course refunded, they stated it was past the deadline. I explained that I only had to drop because of THEIR TURNOVER issue and they still did not refund me. Mind you, I have dropped other courses past the deadline and understood I was ineligible for a refund. This, however, was 100% the fault of the school and should have been treated as such. I am not sure who monitors the curriculum, but there are professors on complete power trips that literally drown you in coursework. College curriculum should be challenging and teach you about time management, but this is another level entirely. There are professors who have a complex assignment due every single day. Juggling this with four other classes can be extremely overwhelming and no one seems to care. I enrolled as an online student because I do not live in the area. At first, this was fine. However, over the past year, they have moved to "live streaming" courses for most of my classes which is so incredibly inconvenient! I'm in a completely different time zone and have had to make arrangements at my work just to attend courses. The whole point of being an online student was so I could attend school around my work schedule! Finally, the utilization of respondus lockdown browser for non-degree specific courses is ridiculous! I major in accounting, so having it as a requirement for accounting courses makes sense. But why do I need it for a marketing course?? Stupid. This school is a complete joke and I cannot wait to be finished with this institution so I never have to look back. I will be dissuading every single person I know in the area from this school as I have siblings and cousins graduating soon. read more

I was an art student at this university and I was subjected to non stop bullying and was openly called slurs by other students, those students were then rewarded for that behavior by being asked to join the honors are fraternity. The Art courses also would allow non majors into the classes and would allow them to not do their work, and would force the class to sit and waste class time not learning so the lazy students could make up their work during class time. read more

I'm going to make this sound like commercial ads. Hey! Are you looking for a place to waste your money and basically waste your time?! Come on down to Western Illinois University, they specialize in that and more! Let's start with parking. Parking permits cost $30 and, no matter where you park you get fined, even sometimes in your correct parking spot. Next let's try food, some of the food isn't even real you can tell by the looks and tastes of it. They also sell boxed pizzas that cost 4x the amount then they do at Walmart! Think your teachers want to help you when you're having trouble with work? Well your wrong they don't care about you, they will continue to work on new topics and no even help you! Back stories. People have been assaulted and killed. Last year there was a shooting in Thompson Hall! This year I found blood all over an elevator! Don't believe me? Look it up for yourself. So again you looking to waste your time, money and to also forgot to mention not feel safe? Come on down to Western Illinois University! To have the best experience of all of this! read more

I was considering enrolling at this University until a story came across my timeline about a student being assaulted and the university's response was hoping it was a "teachable moment". I will steer clear from any administration that thinks r*pe is a "teachable moment" read more

Western Illinois University - Western Illinois University's response when a student was sexually assaulted. The perpetrator has yet to be held accountable. - Colleges & Universities Near Me - Macomb, Illinois

I would openly give 0 stars to this institution. I was recruited to play softball at this school where the coaching situation was absolutly horrendous. We played most of a season with a GA acting as head coach and assistant coach for the entire team.... furthermore, the academic advisors come and go so often that you're HIGHLY likely to get left behind somewhere or screwed into an extra semester AT LEAST ONCE. This school has been nothing but classless, ignorant, and foolish. Why anyone would still choose to attend this institution is beyond me. just don't. read more

Academics are on the back burner at this school. It's also in the middle of nowhere, so hope you like shopping at Walmart. I should have applied myself more and chosen a school that would have actually been worth several years of my life. read more

I thought long and hard about what my 500th review would be. I knew I wanted it to be a five-star experience - one that was life changing. Insert: Western Illinois University. To be honest, I don't think outsiders will truly ever understand just how spectacular WIU is. On the surface it seems like your average state school college housed in the middle of nowhere Illinois. But Western is much, much more than that. It's where I met my friends for life. Where I learned to become a leader. Where I gained confidence and learned professionalism. Where I partied hard and planned events. Where I obtained my bachelors of arts and studied broadcasting and video production. It's an alma mater I'm proud to call my own. I attended Western from 2006-2010. Since then, I've been back 2 or 3 times to visit. Sure, things have changed. Some for the better, some for worse, but the core values and leatherneck pride have stayed the same. For those interested in attending, I say go for it! It will be some of the best years of your life. Although this college is located in good 'ole Macomb, IL which is basically the middle of nowhere, there is always something to do at WIU. I highly suggest joining Greek life. I was a 4 year active member of Phi Sigma Sigma and it absolutely made my college experience. I was on the executive board for my chapter, e-board for Panhellenic council, and was a part of so many fun events and fundraisers. I'm still great friends with my sorority sisters to this day and it's been over 7 years since I've graduated. As cliche as this is, some of my sisters were even my bridesmaids! I was also a part of the Westernettes Danceline and House Arrest 2 Hip Hop team which kept me involved on campus as well and kept me at the center of Western pride. Part of the reason I chose to go to WIU was because of their broadcasting program. It was extremely hands-on and the class sizes were small which was very welcomed after coming from a high school with over 4,000 students. All of my professors were truly passionate about their jobs and were always willing to help me succeed. This is such a great school if you are looking for a close knit community - something larger than what you had in high school, but small enough to be known. This school gave me the opportunity to truly make an impact in the college and surrounding community. I'm proud to be a leatherneck and I wish nothing but future success for Western Illinois University! read more

I attended this delightful little institution from 2005-2009 and I can honestly say that it was the very definition of an EXPERIENCE. Many people strive their entire young lives to get into fancy schools with top honors, but my goal was to get out of high school and go away from home for an EXPERIENCE. To be entirely honest, I got just that AND a quality education that I am proud of. Western is a small school located amongst the cornfields and although it may seem boring, it is just the opposite. The school has many activities and events for everyone to enjoy, including an amazing social scene. I cannot even count how many amazing and fun people I met while attending this school and those relationships helped me learn and grow into the person I am today. The education at Western is fantastic and the professors know what they are talking about. They work in their fields and are completely devoted to and passionate about their fields. I double-majored in psych and sociology and the professors and staff within that particular department were phenomenal. There is something to be said about a smaller school. You learn so much and get to know everyone so well and this is both comforting and important when attempting to grow as an individual and scholar. Although WIU was not my original plan when graduating high school, it is definitely a school that I would attend again and again if the opportunity arose. I truly miss WIU and I cannot wait to go back and spend time there once again. read more

My parents couldn't take my little sister to her college orientation at WIU. So, I did, and even though the dorms may seem outdated they are renovating them. The campus grew on me, and the students in charge of SOAR were very polite and informative. WIU Staff rubbed me the wrong way because some were rude others were polite. I love my sister's advisor, he explained and provided information regarding the special program she is in. My sister had her doubts when she arrived but at the end of orientation she is glad she chose WIU. So, when we got home I thought I'd do a little research on certificate programs. I found one that was interesting and that I could complete online. Tuition prices are low so I applied. I called the Office of Graduate studies to make sure that I my application was in order. The staff member I spoke to was short, and impolite. It felt like I was bothering her, and I was being courteous such as "Thank You, again" her response "yeah" and she hangs up. I didn't like that at all which is my review is down to three stars. read more

Western is in desperate need of new administration. From Financial Aid to actual out of pocket tuition the school is not transparent until they hit you with a bill. Also, the campus is not very safe during freshman year several alerts were sent to parents of crimes happening on campus. The university is not transparent with their billing or their financial policies. Also, the local PD uses the university as it feeding pool for tickets, and students spend a lot of time in front of Henry County courthouse for ridiculous charge. This school is just not worth the stress that parent need to endure while sending their student away. All parent should stay away from this campus if at all possible. read more

Attended this university and can honestly say all of the school was great. Received a great education from knowledgeable instructors who were very friendly almost parent like. The sports here are D1 and tailgating can make you feel like you are at a Big 10 institution. Basketball has been good in recent years and they have plans to build a new arena in future, which will be a nice addition. read more

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I won't speak of the education here as my daughter attended and she seems happy with the experience. I will speak of the complete stupidity of the office staff in the departments that are responsible for assisting with FASFA and billing. Their unwillingness to assist in getting the right paperwork filled out places people in debt and causes financial hardship. The school is responsible for the federal funding students receive but are not willing to assist when something is wrong. Maybe if they didn't staff with so many students instead of skilled employees, they could be more helpful. If you owe them ANY money, you will not see your diploma or be able to get transcripts. If they claim to have sent the bill to collections, you'll have to pay more fees! Good luck with your education and your future but, look at a school that has faculty to assist you not some student that is fresh out of high school themselves. read more