IWU vs. Holy Cross College

Comparable Facts

Compare Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, IL with Holy Cross College in Notre Dame, IN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Illinois Wesleyan University is larger than Holy Cross College based on total student enrollment (1,582 students vs. 661 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Illinois Wesleyan University is located in Bloomington, IL (Small City setting); Holy Cross College is in Notre Dame, IN (Large Suburban setting).
• Illinois Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Holy Cross College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Illinois Wesleyan University 12:1; Holy Cross College 13:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Holy Cross College are 5% lower than at Illinois Wesleyan University ($12,700 vs. $13,370).
• Out-of-state tuition is 57.7% higher at IWU than at Holy Cross College (about $21,104 more per year; $57,704 vs. $36,600).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Illinois Wesleyan University than at Holy Cross College (100% vs. 72%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Illinois Wesleyan University students is 48.4% larger than aid received by Holy Cross College students ($42,181 vs. $28,416).

Admissions details

• Incoming IWU students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 27) as students at Holy Cross College (27).
• SAT or ACT scores are test optional at IWU, test-free at Holy Cross College.
• Typical fall application deadline: Holy Cross College Jul 28, 2027.
• Enrolled first-year students at IWU average a 3.86 high school GPA, 0.66 higher than at Holy Cross College (3.2).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.3% at IWU vs. 19.5% at Holy Cross College.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, Holy Cross College graduates have a $3,875 lower median loan debt than IWU graduates ($23,125 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Holy Cross College graduates have an estimated $40 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than IWU graduates ($239 vs. $279).
• More IWU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Holy Cross College students, three years after graduation (87% vs. 64%).

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