IWU vs. Elms College

Illinois Wesleyan University and College of Our Lady of the Elms side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Illinois Wesleyan University
College of Our Lady of the Elms

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: IWU (39.3% admitted vs 85.3%). Typical SAT 1230 vs 1240.
  • Cheaper after aid: Elms College. Average net price is $19,870 vs $28,644 at IWU.
  • Graduation: IWU 82% vs Elms College 58%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: IWU $60,500 vs Elms College $46,300 (median).
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Key differences

Illinois Wesleyan University College of Our Lady of the Elms
Acceptance rate
IWU more selective
IWU39.3%
Elms College85.3%
SAT range (middle 50%)
IWU higher
IWU1120-1340
Elms College1150-1320
Average net price
Elms College $8,774 less
IWU$28,644
Elms College$19,870
In-state tuition
Elms College $14,379 less
IWU$57,704
Elms College$43,325
Out-of-state tuition
Elms College $14,379 less
IWU$57,704
Elms College$43,325
Graduation rate
IWU +24 pts
IWU82%
Elms College58%
Median earnings (10 years)
IWU +$14,200
IWU$60,500
Elms College$46,300

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • IWU 9,558
  • Elms College 1,269
  • Admitted
  • IWU 3,757
  • Elms College 1,082
  • Acceptance rate
  • IWU 39.3%
  • Elms College 85.3%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • IWU 12.3%
  • Elms College 10.9%
  • Typical SAT score
  • IWU 1230
  • Elms College 1240
  • Typical ACT score
  • IWU 27
  • Elms College
  • Average high school GPA
  • IWU 3.86
  • Elms College 3.42
  • Typical high school grades
  • IWU A
  • Elms College B+
  • Admissions standards
  • IWU Difficult
  • Elms College Challenging
  • Applicant competition
  • IWU High
  • Elms College
  • SAT range
  • IWU 1120-1340
  • Elms College 1150-1320
  • ACT range
  • IWU 25-30
  • Elms College
  • Submit test scores
  • IWU Test optional
  • Elms College Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • IWU
  • Elms College
  • Tuition (in state)
  • IWU $57,704
  • Elms College $43,325
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • IWU $57,704
  • Elms College $43,325
  • Room & board
  • IWU $13,370
  • Elms College $15,605
  • Average net price
  • IWU $28,644
  • Elms College $19,870
  • Average grant aid
  • IWU $42,181
  • Elms College $33,794
  • % receiving grant aid
  • IWU 100%
  • Elms College 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • IWU 82%
  • Elms College 58%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • IWU $60,500
  • Elms College $46,300
  • Making student loan payments
  • IWU 87%
  • Elms College 61%
  • Median student loan debt
  • IWU $27,000
  • Elms College $25,000
  • Median loan payment
  • IWU $279
  • Elms College $258
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • IWU 12:1
  • Elms College 11:1
  • Popular majors
  • IWU
    • Business (20%)
    • Social Sciences (13%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • Biology (7%)
  • Elms College
    • Health Professions (49%)
    • Business (12%)
    • Human Services (9%)
    • History (5%)
    • General Studies (4%)
  • Location
  • IWU Bloomington, IL
  • Elms College Chicopee, MA
  • Setting
  • IWU Small City
  • Elms College Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • IWU 1,582
  • Elms College 1,268
  • Type
  • IWU Private 4 Year
  • Elms College Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • IWU #157
  • Elms College #359

Comparable Facts

Compare Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, IL with College of Our Lady of the Elms in Chicopee, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Illinois Wesleyan University is larger than Elms College based on total student enrollment (1,582 students vs. 1,268 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Illinois Wesleyan University is located in Bloomington, IL (Small City setting); College of Our Lady of the Elms is in Chicopee, MA (Large Suburban setting).
  • Illinois Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. College of Our Lady of the Elms is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Illinois Wesleyan University 12:1; College of Our Lady of the Elms 11:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Illinois Wesleyan University are 14.3% lower than at College of Our Lady of the Elms ($13,370 vs. $15,605).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 33.2% higher at IWU than at College of Our Lady of the Elms (about $14,379 more per year; $57,704 vs. $43,325).
  • The same share of students receive grant aid at Illinois Wesleyan University as at College of Our Lady of the Elms (100% vs. 100%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Illinois Wesleyan University students is 24.8% larger than aid received by College of Our Lady of the Elms students ($42,181 vs. $33,794).

Admissions details

  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both IWU and Elms College.
  • Enrolled first-year students at IWU average a 3.86 high school GPA, 0.44 higher than at Elms College (3.42).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.3% at IWU vs. 10.9% at Elms College.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, College of Our Lady of the Elms graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than IWU graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Elms College graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than IWU graduates ($258 vs. $279).
  • More IWU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Elms College students, three years after graduation (87% vs. 61%).

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

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