IWU vs. JCU

Illinois Wesleyan University and John Carroll University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Illinois Wesleyan University
John Carroll University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: IWU (39.3% admitted vs 80.9%). Typical SAT 1230 vs 1260.
  • Cheaper after aid: about even. Average net price is $28,644 at IWU vs $30,030 at JCU. IWU in-state tuition is about $7,204 more per year.
  • Graduation: IWU 82% vs JCU 71%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: IWU $60,500 vs JCU $57,600 (median).
See your own chances ->

Key differences

Illinois Wesleyan University John Carroll University
Acceptance rate
IWU more selective
IWU39.3%
JCU80.9%
SAT range (middle 50%)
IWU higher
IWU1120-1340
JCU1180-1330
Average net price
About even
IWU$28,644
JCU$30,030
In-state tuition
JCU $7,204 less
IWU$57,704
JCU$50,500
Out-of-state tuition
JCU $7,204 less
IWU$57,704
JCU$50,500
Graduation rate
IWU +11 pts
IWU82%
JCU71%
Median earnings (10 years)
IWU +$2,900
IWU$60,500
JCU$57,600

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

Admission calculator

Partner

Not sure you'd get in? Check your chances at IWU and JCU with Appily's free admission calculator.

Check my chances at IWU Check my chances at JCU
  • Applied
  • IWU 9,558
  • JCU 4,623
  • Admitted
  • IWU 3,757
  • JCU 3,740
  • Acceptance rate
  • IWU 39.3%
  • JCU 80.9%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • IWU 12.3%
  • JCU 15.9%
  • Typical SAT score
  • IWU 1230
  • JCU 1260
  • Typical ACT score
  • IWU 27
  • JCU 28
  • Average high school GPA
  • IWU 3.86
  • JCU 3.66
  • Typical high school grades
  • IWU A
  • JCU A-
  • Admissions standards
  • IWU Difficult
  • JCU Difficult
  • Applicant competition
  • IWU High
  • JCU
  • SAT range
  • IWU 1120-1340
  • JCU 1180-1330
  • ACT range
  • IWU 25-30
  • JCU 25-32
  • Submit test scores
  • IWU Test optional
  • JCU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • IWU
  • JCU
  • Tuition (in state)
  • IWU $57,704
  • JCU $50,500
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • IWU $57,704
  • JCU $50,500
  • Room & board
  • IWU $13,370
  • JCU $14,520
  • Average net price
  • IWU $28,644
  • JCU $30,030
  • Average grant aid
  • IWU $42,181
  • JCU $35,785
  • % receiving grant aid
  • IWU 100%
  • JCU 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • IWU 82%
  • JCU 71%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • IWU $60,500
  • JCU $57,600
  • Making student loan payments
  • IWU 87%
  • JCU 74%
  • Median student loan debt
  • IWU $27,000
  • JCU $26,939
  • Median loan payment
  • IWU $279
  • JCU $278
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • IWU 12:1
  • JCU 13:1
  • Popular majors
  • IWU
    • Business (20%)
    • Social Sciences (13%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • Biology (7%)
  • JCU
    • Business (34%)
    • Social Sciences (10%)
    • Communication (10%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • Education (9%)
  • Location
  • IWU Bloomington, IL
  • JCU University Heights, OH
  • Setting
  • IWU Small City
  • JCU Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • IWU 1,582
  • JCU 2,864
  • Type
  • IWU Private 4 Year
  • JCU Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • IWU #157
  • JCU #222

Comparable Facts

Compare Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, IL with John Carroll University in University Heights, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

John Carroll University is larger than IWU based on total student enrollment (2,864 students vs. 1,582 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Illinois Wesleyan University is located in Bloomington, IL (Small City setting); John Carroll University is in University Heights, OH (Large Suburban setting).
  • Illinois Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. John Carroll University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Illinois Wesleyan University 12:1; John Carroll University 13:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Illinois Wesleyan University are 7.9% lower than at John Carroll University ($13,370 vs. $14,520).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 14.3% higher at IWU than at John Carroll University (about $7,204 more per year; $57,704 vs. $50,500).
  • The same share of students receive grant aid at Illinois Wesleyan University as at John Carroll University (100% vs. 100%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Illinois Wesleyan University students is 17.9% larger than aid received by John Carroll University students ($42,181 vs. $35,785).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at JCU than at IWU (28 vs. 27, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both IWU and JCU.
  • Enrolled first-year students at IWU average a 3.86 high school GPA, 0.2 higher than at JCU (3.66).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.3% at IWU vs. 15.9% at JCU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, John Carroll University graduates have a $61 lower median loan debt than IWU graduates ($26,939 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, JCU graduates have an estimated $1 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than IWU graduates ($278 vs. $279).
  • More IWU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former JCU 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.

Change schools

You can add up to two more colleges. Each one gets its own column.

Illinois Wesleyan University
John Carroll University
Add a college Compare up to 4

Frequently compared to these colleges