IWU vs. Canisius

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

Illinois Wesleyan University
Canisius University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: IWU (39.3% admitted vs 72.4%). Typical SAT 1230 vs 1190.
  • Cheaper after aid: Canisius. Average net price is $19,666 vs $28,644 at IWU.
  • Graduation: IWU 82% vs Canisius 67%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: IWU $60,500 vs Canisius $49,900 (median).
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Acceptance rate
IWU more selective
IWU39.3%
Canisius72.4%
SAT range (middle 50%)
IWU higher
IWU1120-1340
Canisius1050-1320
Average net price
Canisius $8,978 less
IWU$28,644
Canisius$19,666
In-state tuition
Canisius $23,204 less
IWU$57,704
Canisius$34,500
Out-of-state tuition
Canisius $23,204 less
IWU$57,704
Canisius$34,500
Graduation rate
IWU +15 pts
IWU82%
Canisius67%
Median earnings (10 years)
IWU +$10,600
IWU$60,500
Canisius$49,900

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • IWU 9,558
  • Canisius 4,175
  • Admitted
  • IWU 3,757
  • Canisius 3,021
  • Acceptance rate
  • IWU 39.3%
  • Canisius 72.4%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • IWU 12.3%
  • Canisius 13.1%
  • Typical SAT score
  • IWU 1230
  • Canisius 1190
  • Typical ACT score
  • IWU 27
  • Canisius 25
  • Average high school GPA
  • IWU 3.86
  • Canisius 3.7
  • Typical high school grades
  • IWU A
  • Canisius A-
  • Admissions standards
  • IWU Difficult
  • Canisius Challenging
  • Applicant competition
  • IWU High
  • Canisius Low
  • SAT range
  • IWU 1120-1340
  • Canisius 1050-1320
  • ACT range
  • IWU 25-30
  • Canisius 22-28
  • Submit test scores
  • IWU Test optional
  • Canisius Test-free
  • Application deadline
  • IWU
  • Canisius
  • Tuition (in state)
  • IWU $57,704
  • Canisius $34,500
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • IWU $57,704
  • Canisius $34,500
  • Room & board
  • IWU $13,370
  • Canisius $13,560
  • Average net price
  • IWU $28,644
  • Canisius $19,666
  • Average grant aid
  • IWU $42,181
  • Canisius $24,972
  • % receiving grant aid
  • IWU 100%
  • Canisius 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • IWU 82%
  • Canisius 67%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • IWU $60,500
  • Canisius $49,900
  • Making student loan payments
  • IWU 87%
  • Canisius 71%
  • Median student loan debt
  • IWU $27,000
  • Canisius $24,750
  • Median loan payment
  • IWU $279
  • Canisius $255
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • IWU 12:1
  • Canisius 11:1
  • Popular majors
  • IWU
    • Business (20%)
    • Social Sciences (13%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • Biology (7%)
  • Canisius
    • Business (25%)
    • Psychology (11%)
    • Social Sciences (10%)
    • Communication (10%)
    • Education (9%)
  • Location
  • IWU Bloomington, IL
  • Canisius Buffalo, NY
  • Setting
  • IWU Small City
  • Canisius Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • IWU 1,582
  • Canisius 2,451
  • Type
  • IWU Private 4 Year
  • Canisius Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • IWU #157
  • Canisius #393

Comparable Facts

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

Canisius University is larger than IWU based on total student enrollment (2,451 students vs. 1,582 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Illinois Wesleyan University is located in Bloomington, IL (Small City setting); Canisius University is in Buffalo, NY (Large City setting).
  • Illinois Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Canisius University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Illinois Wesleyan University 12:1; Canisius University 11:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Illinois Wesleyan University are 1.4% lower than at Canisius University ($13,370 vs. $13,560).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 67.3% higher at IWU than at Canisius University (about $23,204 more per year; $57,704 vs. $34,500).
  • The same share of students receive grant aid at Illinois Wesleyan University as at Canisius University (100% vs. 100%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Illinois Wesleyan University students is 68.9% larger than aid received by Canisius University students ($42,181 vs. $24,972).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at IWU than at Canisius (27 vs. 25, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at IWU, test-free at Canisius.
  • Enrolled first-year students at IWU average a 3.86 high school GPA, 0.16 higher than at Canisius (3.7).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.3% at IWU vs. 13.1% at Canisius.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Canisius University graduates have a $2,250 lower median loan debt than IWU graduates ($24,750 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Canisius graduates have an estimated $24 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than IWU graduates ($255 vs. $279).
  • More IWU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Canisius students, three years after graduation (87% vs. 71%).

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

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