IWU vs. IU

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

Illinois Wesleyan University
Indiana University Bloomington

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: IWU (39.3% admitted vs 78.2%). Typical SAT 1230 vs 1290.
  • Cheaper after aid: IU. Average net price is $17,270 vs $28,644 at IWU.
  • Graduation: IWU 82% vs IU 72%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: IWU $60,500 vs IU $56,200 (median).
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Key differences

Illinois Wesleyan University Indiana University Bloomington
Acceptance rate
IWU more selective
IWU39.3%
IU78.2%
SAT range (middle 50%)
IU higher
IWU1120-1340
IU1170-1400
Average net price
IU $11,374 less
IWU$28,644
IU$17,270
In-state tuition
IU $45,560 less
IWU$57,704
IU$12,144
Out-of-state tuition
IU $15,813 less
IWU$57,704
IU$41,891
Graduation rate
IWU +10 pts
IWU82%
IU72%
Median earnings (10 years)
IWU +$4,300
IWU$60,500
IU$56,200

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • IWU 9,558
  • IU 67,658
  • Admitted
  • IWU 3,757
  • IU 52,918
  • Acceptance rate
  • IWU 39.3%
  • IU 78.2%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • IWU 12.3%
  • IU 18.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • IWU 1230
  • IU 1290
  • Typical ACT score
  • IWU 27
  • IU 30
  • Average high school GPA
  • IWU 3.86
  • IU 3.74
  • Typical high school grades
  • IWU A
  • IU A-
  • Admissions standards
  • IWU Difficult
  • IU Very High
  • Applicant competition
  • IWU High
  • IU
  • SAT range
  • IWU 1120-1340
  • IU 1170-1400
  • ACT range
  • IWU 25-30
  • IU 27-33
  • Submit test scores
  • IWU Test optional
  • IU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • IWU
  • IU
  • Tuition (in state)
  • IWU $57,704
  • IU $12,144
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • IWU $57,704
  • IU $41,891
  • Room & board
  • IWU $13,370
  • IU $13,984
  • Average net price
  • IWU $28,644
  • IU $17,270
  • Average grant aid
  • IWU $42,181
  • IU $10,487
  • % receiving grant aid
  • IWU 100%
  • IU 73%
  • Graduation rate
  • IWU 82%
  • IU 72%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • IWU $60,500
  • IU $56,200
  • Making student loan payments
  • IWU 87%
  • IU 72%
  • Median student loan debt
  • IWU $27,000
  • IU $22,500
  • Median loan payment
  • IWU $279
  • IU $232
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • IWU 12:1
  • IU 18:1
  • Popular majors
  • IWU
    • Business (20%)
    • Social Sciences (13%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • Biology (7%)
  • IU
    • Business (21%)
    • Communication (10%)
    • Social Sciences (8%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
    • Education (7%)
  • Location
  • IWU Bloomington, IL
  • IU Bloomington, IN
  • Setting
  • IWU Small City
  • IU Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • IWU 1,582
  • IU 48,424
  • Type
  • IWU Private 4 Year
  • IU Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • IWU #157
  • IU #207

Comparable Facts

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

Indiana University Bloomington is larger than IWU based on total student enrollment (48,424 students vs. 1,582 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Illinois Wesleyan University is located in Bloomington, IL (Small City setting); Indiana University Bloomington is in Bloomington, IN (Small City setting).
  • Illinois Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Indiana University Bloomington is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Illinois Wesleyan University 12:1; Indiana University Bloomington 18:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Illinois Wesleyan University are 4.4% lower than at Indiana University Bloomington ($13,370 vs. $13,984).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 37.7% higher at IWU than at Indiana University Bloomington (about $15,813 more per year; $57,704 vs. $41,891).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Illinois Wesleyan University than at Indiana University Bloomington (100% vs. 73%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Illinois Wesleyan University students is 302.2% larger than aid received by Indiana University Bloomington students ($42,181 vs. $10,487).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 3 points higher at IU than at IWU (30 vs. 27, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both IWU and IU.
  • Enrolled first-year students at IWU average a 3.86 high school GPA, 0.12 higher than at IU (3.74).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.3% at IWU vs. 18.2% at IU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Indiana University Bloomington graduates have a $4,500 lower median loan debt than IWU graduates ($22,500 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, IU graduates have an estimated $47 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than IWU graduates ($232 vs. $279).
  • More IWU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former IU students, three years after graduation (87% vs. 72%).

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

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