IWU vs. ISU

Illinois Wesleyan University and Iowa State University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Illinois Wesleyan University
Iowa State University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: IWU (39.3% admitted vs 88.7%). Typical SAT 1230 vs 1240.
  • Cheaper after aid: ISU. Average net price is $17,779 vs $28,644 at IWU.
  • Graduation: IWU 82% vs ISU 68%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: IWU $60,500 vs ISU $53,700 (median).
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Key differences

Illinois Wesleyan University Iowa State University
Acceptance rate
IWU more selective
IWU39.3%
ISU88.7%
SAT range (middle 50%)
ISU higher
IWU1120-1340
ISU1120-1360
Average net price
ISU $10,865 less
IWU$28,644
ISU$17,779
In-state tuition
ISU $46,917 less
IWU$57,704
ISU$10,787
Out-of-state tuition
ISU $28,823 less
IWU$57,704
ISU$28,881
Graduation rate
IWU +14 pts
IWU82%
ISU68%
Median earnings (10 years)
IWU +$6,800
IWU$60,500
ISU$53,700

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • IWU 9,558
  • ISU 23,095
  • Admitted
  • IWU 3,757
  • ISU 20,475
  • Acceptance rate
  • IWU 39.3%
  • ISU 88.7%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • IWU 12.3%
  • ISU 28.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • IWU 1230
  • ISU 1240
  • Typical ACT score
  • IWU 27
  • ISU 24
  • Average high school GPA
  • IWU 3.86
  • ISU 3.7
  • Typical high school grades
  • IWU A
  • ISU A-
  • Admissions standards
  • IWU Difficult
  • ISU Challenging
  • Applicant competition
  • IWU High
  • ISU
  • SAT range
  • IWU 1120-1340
  • ISU 1120-1360
  • ACT range
  • IWU 25-30
  • ISU 21-28
  • Submit test scores
  • IWU Test optional
  • ISU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • IWU
  • ISU
  • Tuition (in state)
  • IWU $57,704
  • ISU $10,787
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • IWU $57,704
  • ISU $28,881
  • Room & board
  • IWU $13,370
  • ISU $10,808
  • Average net price
  • IWU $28,644
  • ISU $17,779
  • Average grant aid
  • IWU $42,181
  • ISU $10,791
  • % receiving grant aid
  • IWU 100%
  • ISU 77%
  • Graduation rate
  • IWU 82%
  • ISU 68%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • IWU $60,500
  • ISU $53,700
  • Making student loan payments
  • IWU 87%
  • ISU 74%
  • Median student loan debt
  • IWU $27,000
  • ISU $23,868
  • Median loan payment
  • IWU $279
  • ISU $246
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • IWU 12:1
  • ISU 18:1
  • Popular majors
  • IWU
    • Business (20%)
    • Social Sciences (13%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • Biology (7%)
  • ISU
    • Business (20%)
    • Engineering (17%)
    • Agriculture (9%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
    • Communication (5%)
  • Location
  • IWU Bloomington, IL
  • ISU Ames, IA
  • Setting
  • IWU Small City
  • ISU Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • IWU 1,582
  • ISU 30,380
  • Type
  • IWU Private 4 Year
  • ISU Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • IWU #157
  • ISU #343

Comparable Facts

Compare Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, IL with Iowa State University in Ames, IA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Iowa State University is larger than IWU based on total student enrollment (30,380 students vs. 1,582 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Iowa State University are 19.2% lower than at Illinois Wesleyan University ($10,808 vs. $13,370).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 99.8% higher at IWU than at Iowa State University (about $28,823 more per year; $57,704 vs. $28,881).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Illinois Wesleyan University than at Iowa State University (100% vs. 77%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Illinois Wesleyan University students is 290.9% larger than aid received by Iowa State University students ($42,181 vs. $10,791).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 3 points higher at IWU than at ISU (27 vs. 24, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both IWU and ISU.
  • Enrolled first-year students at IWU average a 3.86 high school GPA, 0.16 higher than at ISU (3.7).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.3% at IWU vs. 28.8% at ISU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Iowa State University graduates have a $3,132 lower median loan debt than IWU graduates ($23,868 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, ISU graduates have an estimated $33 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than IWU graduates ($246 vs. $279).
  • More IWU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ISU 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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