IWU vs. Gordon College

Comparable Facts

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

Gordon College is larger than IWU based on total student enrollment (1,595 students vs. 1,582 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Illinois Wesleyan University is located in Bloomington, IL (Small City setting); Gordon College is in Wenham, MA (Large Suburban setting).
• Illinois Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Gordon College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Illinois Wesleyan University 12:1; Gordon College 10:1.

IWU vs. Gordon College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, IWU or Gordon 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 Gordon College than IWU ($25,299 vs. $28,644).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Gordon College are 0.5% lower than at Illinois Wesleyan University ($13,300 vs. $13,370).
• Illinois Wesleyan University is 88% more expensive for in-state tuition than Gordon College (about $27,004 more per year; $57,704.00 vs. $30,700.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 88% higher at IWU than at Gordon College (about $27,004 more per year; $57,704.00 vs. $30,700.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Illinois Wesleyan University as at Gordon College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Illinois Wesleyan University students is 151% larger than aid received by Gordon College students ($42,181 vs. $16,802).

IWU vs. Gordon College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, IWU or Gordon 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 Gordon College and IWU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Gordon College (1240) is 10 points higher than at IWU (1230).
• Incoming Gordon College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 27 at IWU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois Wesleyan University 1120/1340; Gordon College 1130/1355.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois Wesleyan University 25/30; Gordon College 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: IWU - Test optional; Gordon College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Gordon College Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman IWU students have a 0.28 point higher average high school GPA (3.86) than students at Gordon College (3.58).
• Gordon College has a higher acceptance rate (69.2%) than IWU (39.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.3% at IWU vs. 21.6% at Gordon College.

IWU vs. Gordon College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for IWU and Gordon 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).

• Illinois Wesleyan University's six-year graduation rate (82%) is higher than Gordon College's (74%).
• Graduates from Illinois Wesleyan University earn a median of about $15,200 more per year than Gordon College graduates about ten years after starting college ($60,500 vs. $45,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Gordon College and IWU graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Gordon 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 Gordon College students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 85%)

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.