IWU vs. Berea College

Comparable Facts

Compare Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, IL with Berea College in Berea, KY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Illinois Wesleyan University is larger than Berea College based on total student enrollment (1,582 students vs. 1,527 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Illinois Wesleyan University is located in Bloomington, IL (Small City setting); Berea College is in Berea, KY (Distant Town setting).
• Illinois Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Berea College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Illinois Wesleyan University 12:1; Berea College 9:1.

IWU vs. Berea College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, IWU or Berea College? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Berea College than IWU ($5,888 vs. $28,644).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Berea College are 38.6% lower than at Illinois Wesleyan University ($8,208 vs. $13,370).
• Illinois Wesleyan University is 11.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Berea College (about $6,046 more per year; $57,704.00 vs. $51,658.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 11.7% higher at IWU than at Berea College (about $6,046 more per year; $57,704.00 vs. $51,658.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Illinois Wesleyan University as at Berea College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Berea College students is 30% larger than aid received by Illinois Wesleyan University students ($54,830 vs. $42,181).

IWU vs. Berea College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, IWU or Berea College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Berea College and IWU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Berea College (1250) is 20 points higher than at IWU (1230).
• Incoming IWU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 25 at Berea College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois Wesleyan University 1120/1340; Berea College 1156/1335.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois Wesleyan University 25/30; Berea College 23/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: IWU - Test optional; Berea College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Berea College Mar 31, 2027.
• Accepted freshman IWU students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.86) than students at Berea College (3.62).
• IWU has a higher acceptance rate (39.3%) than Berea College (19.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.3% at IWU vs. 53.8% at Berea College.

IWU vs. Berea College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for IWU and Berea College? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Graduates from Illinois Wesleyan University earn a median of about $24,400 more per year than Berea College graduates about ten years after starting college ($60,500 vs. $36,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Berea College graduates have a $21,200 lower median loan debt than IWU graduates ($5,800 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Berea College graduates have an estimated $220 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than IWU graduates ($59 vs. $279).
• More IWU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Berea College students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 62%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.