IWU vs. Cornell College

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

Illinois Wesleyan University
Cornell College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: IWU (39.3% admitted vs 79.9%). Typical SAT 1230 vs 1200.
  • Cheaper after aid: Cornell College. Average net price is $25,220 vs $28,644 at IWU.
  • Graduation: IWU 82% vs Cornell College 70%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: IWU $60,500 vs Cornell College $45,400 (median).
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Key differences

Illinois Wesleyan University Cornell College
Acceptance rate
IWU more selective
IWU39.3%
Cornell College79.9%
SAT range (middle 50%)
IWU higher
IWU1120-1340
Cornell College1120-1285
Average net price
Cornell College $3,424 less
IWU$28,644
Cornell College$25,220
In-state tuition
Cornell College $5,044 less
IWU$57,704
Cornell College$52,660
Out-of-state tuition
Cornell College $5,044 less
IWU$57,704
Cornell College$52,660
Graduation rate
IWU +12 pts
IWU82%
Cornell College70%
Median earnings (10 years)
IWU +$15,100
IWU$60,500
Cornell College$45,400

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • IWU 9,558
  • Cornell College 2,522
  • Admitted
  • IWU 3,757
  • Cornell College 2,015
  • Acceptance rate
  • IWU 39.3%
  • Cornell College 79.9%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • IWU 12.3%
  • Cornell College 14.3%
  • Typical SAT score
  • IWU 1230
  • Cornell College 1200
  • Typical ACT score
  • IWU 27
  • Cornell College 26
  • Average high school GPA
  • IWU 3.86
  • Cornell College 3.53
  • Typical high school grades
  • IWU A
  • Cornell College A-
  • Admissions standards
  • IWU Difficult
  • Cornell College Challenging
  • Applicant competition
  • IWU High
  • Cornell College
  • SAT range
  • IWU 1120-1340
  • Cornell College 1120-1285
  • ACT range
  • IWU 25-30
  • Cornell College 23-30
  • Submit test scores
  • IWU Test optional
  • Cornell College Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • IWU
  • Cornell College
  • Tuition (in state)
  • IWU $57,704
  • Cornell College $52,660
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • IWU $57,704
  • Cornell College $52,660
  • Room & board
  • IWU $13,370
  • Cornell College $11,850
  • Average net price
  • IWU $28,644
  • Cornell College $25,220
  • Average grant aid
  • IWU $42,181
  • Cornell College $41,092
  • % receiving grant aid
  • IWU 100%
  • Cornell College 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • IWU 82%
  • Cornell College 70%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • IWU $60,500
  • Cornell College $45,400
  • Making student loan payments
  • IWU 87%
  • Cornell College 74%
  • Median student loan debt
  • IWU $27,000
  • Cornell College $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • IWU $279
  • Cornell College $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • IWU 12:1
  • Cornell College 14:1
  • Popular majors
  • IWU
    • Business (20%)
    • Social Sciences (13%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • Biology (7%)
  • Cornell College
    • Social Sciences (16%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (12%)
    • Biology (11%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • English and Literature (8%)
  • Location
  • IWU Bloomington, IL
  • Cornell College Mount Vernon, IA
  • Setting
  • IWU Small City
  • Cornell College Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • IWU 1,582
  • Cornell College 1,094
  • Type
  • IWU Private 4 Year
  • Cornell College Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • IWU #157
  • Cornell College #483

Comparable Facts

Compare Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, IL with Cornell College in Mount Vernon, IA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Illinois Wesleyan University is larger than Cornell College based on total student enrollment (1,582 students vs. 1,094 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Illinois Wesleyan University is located in Bloomington, IL (Small City setting); Cornell College is in Mount Vernon, IA (Distant Town setting).
  • Illinois Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Cornell College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Illinois Wesleyan University 12:1; Cornell College 14:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cornell College are 11.4% lower than at Illinois Wesleyan University ($11,850 vs. $13,370).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 9.6% higher at IWU than at Cornell College (about $5,044 more per year; $57,704 vs. $52,660).
  • The same share of students receive grant aid at Illinois Wesleyan University as at Cornell College (100% vs. 100%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Illinois Wesleyan University students is 2.7% larger than aid received by Cornell College students ($42,181 vs. $41,092).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at IWU than at Cornell College (27 vs. 26, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both IWU and Cornell College.
  • Enrolled first-year students at IWU average a 3.86 high school GPA, 0.33 higher than at Cornell College (3.53).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.3% at IWU vs. 14.3% at Cornell College.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Cornell College and IWU graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers in the federal data, Cornell College and IWU graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
  • More IWU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cornell College students, three years after graduation (87% vs. 74%).

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

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