DePaul vs. IWU

DePaul University and Illinois Wesleyan University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

DePaul University
Illinois Wesleyan University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: IWU (39.3% admitted vs 75.9%). Typical SAT 1230 vs 1240.
  • Cheaper after aid: IWU. Average net price is $28,644 vs $34,135 at DePaul.
  • Graduation: DePaul 66% vs IWU 82%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: DePaul $56,900 vs IWU $60,500 (median).
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Key differences

DePaul University Illinois Wesleyan University
Acceptance rate
IWU more selective
DePaul75.9%
IWU39.3%
SAT range (middle 50%)
IWU higher
DePaul1140-1330
IWU1120-1340
Average net price
IWU $5,491 less
DePaul$34,135
IWU$28,644
In-state tuition
DePaul $11,705 less
DePaul$45,999
IWU$57,704
Out-of-state tuition
DePaul $11,705 less
DePaul$45,999
IWU$57,704
Graduation rate
IWU +16 pts
DePaul66%
IWU82%
Median earnings (10 years)
IWU +$3,600
DePaul$56,900
IWU$60,500

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • DePaul 31,266
  • IWU 9,558
  • Admitted
  • DePaul 23,729
  • IWU 3,757
  • Acceptance rate
  • DePaul 75.9%
  • IWU 39.3%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • DePaul 10.8%
  • IWU 12.3%
  • Typical SAT score
  • DePaul 1240
  • IWU 1230
  • Typical ACT score
  • DePaul 28
  • IWU 27
  • Average high school GPA
  • DePaul 3.8
  • IWU 3.86
  • Typical high school grades
  • DePaul A-
  • IWU A
  • Admissions standards
  • DePaul Difficult
  • IWU Difficult
  • Applicant competition
  • DePaul
  • IWU High
  • SAT range
  • DePaul 1140-1330
  • IWU 1120-1340
  • ACT range
  • DePaul 25-31
  • IWU 25-30
  • Submit test scores
  • DePaul Test optional
  • IWU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • DePaul Feb 1, 2027
  • IWU
  • Tuition (in state)
  • DePaul $45,999
  • IWU $57,704
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • DePaul $45,999
  • IWU $57,704
  • Room & board
  • DePaul $19,095
  • IWU $13,370
  • Average net price
  • DePaul $34,135
  • IWU $28,644
  • Average grant aid
  • DePaul $29,285
  • IWU $42,181
  • % receiving grant aid
  • DePaul 100%
  • IWU 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • DePaul 66%
  • IWU 82%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • DePaul $56,900
  • IWU $60,500
  • Making student loan payments
  • DePaul 62%
  • IWU 87%
  • Median student loan debt
  • DePaul $23,332
  • IWU $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • DePaul $241
  • IWU $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • DePaul 17:1
  • IWU 12:1
  • Popular majors
  • DePaul
    • Business (33%)
    • Communication (12%)
    • Social Sciences (10%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (8%)
    • Psychology (8%)
  • IWU
    • Business (20%)
    • Social Sciences (13%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • Biology (7%)
  • Location
  • DePaul Chicago, IL
  • IWU Bloomington, IL
  • Setting
  • DePaul Large City
  • IWU Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • DePaul 21,210
  • IWU 1,582
  • Type
  • DePaul Private 4 Year
  • IWU Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • DePaul #253
  • IWU #157

Comparable Facts

Compare DePaul University in Chicago, IL with Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, IL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

DePaul University is larger than IWU based on total student enrollment (21,210 students vs. 1,582 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • DePaul University is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); Illinois Wesleyan University is in Bloomington, IL (Small City setting).
  • DePaul University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Illinois Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: DePaul University 17:1; Illinois Wesleyan University 12:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Illinois Wesleyan University are 30% lower than at DePaul University ($13,370 vs. $19,095).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 25.4% higher at IWU than at DePaul University (about $11,705 more per year; $57,704 vs. $45,999).
  • The same share of students receive grant aid at DePaul University as at Illinois Wesleyan University (100% vs. 100%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Illinois Wesleyan University students is 44% larger than aid received by DePaul University students ($42,181 vs. $29,285).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at DePaul than at IWU (28 vs. 27, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both DePaul and IWU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: DePaul Feb 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at IWU average a 3.86 high school GPA, 0.06 higher than at DePaul (3.8).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.8% at DePaul vs. 12.3% at IWU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, DePaul University graduates have a $3,668 lower median loan debt than IWU graduates ($23,332 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, DePaul graduates have an estimated $38 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than IWU graduates ($241 vs. $279).
  • More IWU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former DePaul students, three years after graduation (87% vs. 62%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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