East-West University

816 S Michigan Ave
Chicago, IL 60605
Top-Ranked (2026): View Rankings
  • Unique strength within diversity. At East-West University, unique sense of identity prevails. Strength of the university comes from its concerned and caring faculty and staff. Within the environment of East-West is a sense of community. Finally, diversity is the real strength of East-West University. East-West University was founded in 1980 with the mission of providing quality, affordable, multi-cultural, and forward-looking higher education to Chicago and the world. The institution has grown and prospered over the years, from a noble idea to a significant institution of higher learning accommodating nearly 1200 students. East-West has repeatedly been cited as having the lowest tuition among private schools in the Chicago area, making a higher education with personal attention more accessible. East-West has one of the highest percentages of international students of any baccalaureate school in the nation; it is the only majority-minority four year college in the state of Illinois; the faculty and staff is among the most diverse of any institution of higher learning in the nation; its graduates have spread throughout the world making a difference; and its close-knit, family atmosphere has been successful in helping students to meet the challenges of making it through college to graduation.

School Highlights

East-West University serves 468 students (100% of students are full-time).
The college's student-teacher ratio of 26:1 is lower than the state community college average of 34:1.
Minority enrollment is 99% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the state average of 54%.

Quick Facts (2026)

  • Enrollment: 468 students
  • Private-state tuition: $19,545
  • Acceptance Rate: 41%
  • Student-teacher ratio: 26:1
  • Minority enrollment: 99%
  • Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)

Top Rankings

East-West University ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Illinois for:

School Overview

The teacher population of 18 teachers has declined by 58% over five years.
East-West University
(IL) Community College Avg.
Carnegie Classification
Baccalaureate Colleges—General
0
Institution Level
Four or more years
0
Institution Control
Private not-for-profit
0
Total Faculty
18 staff
94 staff
Number of Programs Offered
-2
8
School Calendar

Student Body

The student population of East-West University has grown by 11% over five years.
The student-teacher ratio of 26:1 has increased from 10:1 over five years.
The East-West University diversity score of 0.69 is more than the state average of 0.00. The school's diversity has declined by 14% over five years.
Total Enrollment
468 students
3,110 students
Student-Teacher Ratio
26:1
34:1
# Full-Time Students
468 students
1,028 students
# Part-Time Students
5 students
2,082 students
# Enrollment Undergraduate
463 students
378 students
# Full-Time Undergraduate Students
468 students
1,082 students
# Full-Time Graduate Students
n/a
42 students
# Part-Time Undergraduate Students
5 students
2,308 students
# Part-Time Graduate Students
n/a
14 students
Total Dormitory Capacity
n/a
132 students
% American Indian/Alaskan
1%
n/a
% Asian
1%
5%
% Hispanic
32%
28%
% Black
36%
13%
% White
1%
46%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
n/a
3%
% Non Resident races
28%
1%
% Unknown races
1%
4%
Diversity Score
0.69
0.00
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in 4 years or more than 4 years)
12%
23%
Average Graduate Earnings (10 Years)
$26,900
$31,800

Tuition and Acceptance Rate

The private state tuition of $19,545 is more than the state average of $14,123. The private state tuition has declined by 14% over four years.
Private State Tuition Fees
$19,545
$14,123
Tuition Notes
$8000.00 per quarter
% Students Receiving Some Financial Aid
92%
80%
Median Debt for Graduates
$28,810
$8,029
Median Debt for Dropouts
$6,386
$4,618
Acceptance Rate
41%
61%
SAT Reading
n/a
390
SAT Math
n/a
360
SAT Writing
n/a
355
ACT Composite (Year 2018)
17
17
ACT English
n/a
17
ACT Math
n/a
17
Source: 2025 (or latest year available) Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) , School Administrators

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does East-West University cost?
East-West University's private state tuition is approximately $19,545.
What is the acceptance rate of East-West University?
The acceptance rate of East-West University is 41%, which is lower than the state average of 61%.
What is East-West University's ranking?
East-West University ranks among the top 20% of community college in Illinois for: Diversity in US community colleges, Average community college minority breakdown and Percent of students receiving financial aid.
In what neighborhood is East-West University located?
East-West University is located in the Chicago Loop neighborhood of Chicago, IL. There are 3 other community '.colleges.' located in Chicago Loop.

Recent Articles

Community Colleges and the Creator Economy
Community Colleges and the Creator Economy
Explore how community colleges prepare students for YouTube, podcasting, content creation, and creator economy careers.
AI-Augmented Careers and Community Colleges
AI-Augmented Careers and Community Colleges
Explore AI-augmented careers and how community colleges prepare students with practical skills, credentials, and employer-aligned training.
Catholic School Marketing Strategies in Competitive Choice Markets
Catholic School Marketing Strategies in Competitive Choice Markets
Learn effective Catholic school marketing strategies for standing out in competitive school choice markets in 2026.

Quick Facts (2026)

  • Enrollment: 468 students
  • Private-state tuition: $19,545
  • Acceptance Rate: 41%
  • Student-teacher ratio: 26:1
  • Minority enrollment: 99%
  • Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)

Did You Know?

The average community college acceptance rate in Cook County, IL is 52%. Read more about national community college acceptance rates.

Cook County, IL community colleges have a diversity score of 0.56, which is higher than the national average of 0.00. The most diverse community college in Cook County, IL is Midwestern Career College. Read more about community college diversity statistics in the USA.

Quick Links