IWU vs. Calvin University

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

Illinois Wesleyan University
Calvin University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: IWU (39.3% admitted vs 70.9%). Typical SAT 1230 vs 1210.
  • Cheaper after aid: Calvin University. Average net price is $25,231 vs $28,644 at IWU.
  • Graduation: IWU 82% vs Calvin University 77%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: IWU $60,500 vs Calvin University $47,000 (median).
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Key differences

Illinois Wesleyan University Calvin University
Acceptance rate
IWU more selective
IWU39.3%
Calvin University70.9%
SAT range (middle 50%)
IWU higher
IWU1120-1340
Calvin University1083-1330
Average net price
Calvin University $3,413 less
IWU$28,644
Calvin University$25,231
In-state tuition
Calvin University $18,354 less
IWU$57,704
Calvin University$39,350
Out-of-state tuition
Calvin University $18,354 less
IWU$57,704
Calvin University$39,350
Graduation rate
IWU +5 pts
IWU82%
Calvin University77%
Median earnings (10 years)
IWU +$13,500
IWU$60,500
Calvin University$47,000

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • IWU 9,558
  • Calvin University 5,723
  • Admitted
  • IWU 3,757
  • Calvin University 4,058
  • Acceptance rate
  • IWU 39.3%
  • Calvin University 70.9%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • IWU 12.3%
  • Calvin University 21.4%
  • Typical SAT score
  • IWU 1230
  • Calvin University 1210
  • Typical ACT score
  • IWU 27
  • Calvin University 27
  • Average high school GPA
  • IWU 3.86
  • Calvin University 3.84
  • Typical high school grades
  • IWU A
  • Calvin University A-
  • Admissions standards
  • IWU Difficult
  • Calvin University Difficult
  • Applicant competition
  • IWU High
  • Calvin University Low
  • SAT range
  • IWU 1120-1340
  • Calvin University 1083-1330
  • ACT range
  • IWU 25-30
  • Calvin University 24-30
  • Submit test scores
  • IWU Test optional
  • Calvin University Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • IWU
  • Calvin University
  • Tuition (in state)
  • IWU $57,704
  • Calvin University $39,350
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • IWU $57,704
  • Calvin University $39,350
  • Room & board
  • IWU $13,370
  • Calvin University $12,120
  • Average net price
  • IWU $28,644
  • Calvin University $25,231
  • Average grant aid
  • IWU $42,181
  • Calvin University $29,123
  • % receiving grant aid
  • IWU 100%
  • Calvin University 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • IWU 82%
  • Calvin University 77%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • IWU $60,500
  • Calvin University $47,000
  • Making student loan payments
  • IWU 87%
  • Calvin University 81%
  • Median student loan debt
  • IWU $27,000
  • Calvin University $26,449
  • Median loan payment
  • IWU $279
  • Calvin University $273
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • IWU 12:1
  • Calvin University 13:1
  • Popular majors
  • IWU
    • Business (20%)
    • Social Sciences (13%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • Biology (7%)
  • Calvin University
    • Business (13%)
    • Education (12%)
    • Health Professions (8%)
    • Social Sciences (8%)
    • Biology (7%)
  • Location
  • IWU Bloomington, IL
  • Calvin University Grand Rapids, MI
  • Setting
  • IWU Small City
  • Calvin University Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • IWU 1,582
  • Calvin University 3,681
  • Type
  • IWU Private 4 Year
  • Calvin University Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • IWU #157
  • Calvin University #299

Comparable Facts

Compare Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, IL with Calvin University in Grand Rapids, MI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Calvin University is larger than IWU based on total student enrollment (3,681 students vs. 1,582 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Illinois Wesleyan University is located in Bloomington, IL (Small City setting); Calvin University is in Grand Rapids, MI (Midsize City setting).
  • Illinois Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Calvin University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Illinois Wesleyan University 12:1; Calvin University 13:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Calvin University are 9.3% lower than at Illinois Wesleyan University ($12,120 vs. $13,370).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 46.6% higher at IWU than at Calvin University (about $18,354 more per year; $57,704 vs. $39,350).
  • The same share of students receive grant aid at Illinois Wesleyan University as at Calvin University (100% vs. 100%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Illinois Wesleyan University students is 44.8% larger than aid received by Calvin University students ($42,181 vs. $29,123).

Admissions details

  • Incoming IWU students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 27) as students at Calvin University (27).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both IWU and Calvin University.
  • Enrolled first-year students at IWU average a 3.86 high school GPA, 0.02 higher than at Calvin University (3.84).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.3% at IWU vs. 21.4% at Calvin University.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Calvin University graduates have a $551 lower median loan debt than IWU graduates ($26,449 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Calvin University graduates have an estimated $6 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than IWU graduates ($273 vs. $279).
  • More IWU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Calvin University students, three years after graduation (87% vs. 81%).

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

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