IWU vs. Lawrence

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

Illinois Wesleyan University
Lawrence University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: IWU (39.3% admitted vs 63.9%). Typical SAT 1230 vs 1310.
  • Cheaper after aid: Lawrence. Average net price is $27,161 vs $28,644 at IWU.
  • Graduation: IWU 82% vs Lawrence 77%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: IWU $60,500 vs Lawrence $45,600 (median).
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Key differences

Illinois Wesleyan University Lawrence University
Acceptance rate
IWU more selective
IWU39.3%
Lawrence63.9%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Lawrence higher
IWU1120-1340
Lawrence1200-1420
Average net price
Lawrence $1,483 less
IWU$28,644
Lawrence$27,161
In-state tuition
Lawrence $722 less
IWU$57,704
Lawrence$56,982
Out-of-state tuition
Lawrence $722 less
IWU$57,704
Lawrence$56,982
Graduation rate
IWU +5 pts
IWU82%
Lawrence77%
Median earnings (10 years)
IWU +$14,900
IWU$60,500
Lawrence$45,600

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • IWU 9,558
  • Lawrence 3,270
  • Admitted
  • IWU 3,757
  • Lawrence 2,091
  • Acceptance rate
  • IWU 39.3%
  • Lawrence 63.9%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • IWU 12.3%
  • Lawrence 16.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • IWU 1230
  • Lawrence 1310
  • Typical ACT score
  • IWU 27
  • Lawrence 27
  • Average high school GPA
  • IWU 3.86
  • Lawrence 3.52
  • Typical high school grades
  • IWU A
  • Lawrence A-
  • Admissions standards
  • IWU Difficult
  • Lawrence Very High
  • Applicant competition
  • IWU High
  • Lawrence Low
  • SAT range
  • IWU 1120-1340
  • Lawrence 1200-1420
  • ACT range
  • IWU 25-30
  • Lawrence 24-31
  • Submit test scores
  • IWU Test optional
  • Lawrence Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • IWU
  • Lawrence Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • IWU $57,704
  • Lawrence $56,982
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • IWU $57,704
  • Lawrence $56,982
  • Room & board
  • IWU $13,370
  • Lawrence $12,165
  • Average net price
  • IWU $28,644
  • Lawrence $27,161
  • Average grant aid
  • IWU $42,181
  • Lawrence $42,688
  • % receiving grant aid
  • IWU 100%
  • Lawrence 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • IWU 82%
  • Lawrence 77%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • IWU $60,500
  • Lawrence $45,600
  • Making student loan payments
  • IWU 87%
  • Lawrence 76%
  • Median student loan debt
  • IWU $27,000
  • Lawrence $27,350
  • Median loan payment
  • IWU $279
  • Lawrence $282
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • IWU 12:1
  • Lawrence 7:1
  • Popular majors
  • IWU
    • Business (20%)
    • Social Sciences (13%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • Biology (7%)
  • Lawrence
    • Visual and Performing Arts (26%)
    • Social Sciences (12%)
    • Biology (12%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • Foreign Languages (7%)
  • Location
  • IWU Bloomington, IL
  • Lawrence Appleton, WI
  • Setting
  • IWU Small City
  • Lawrence Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • IWU 1,582
  • Lawrence 1,417
  • Type
  • IWU Private 4 Year
  • Lawrence Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • IWU #157
  • Lawrence #202

Comparable Facts

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

Illinois Wesleyan University is larger than Lawrence based on total student enrollment (1,582 students vs. 1,417 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Illinois Wesleyan University is located in Bloomington, IL (Small City setting); Lawrence University is in Appleton, WI (Small City setting).
  • Illinois Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Lawrence University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Illinois Wesleyan University 12:1; Lawrence University 7:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lawrence University are 9% lower than at Illinois Wesleyan University ($12,165 vs. $13,370).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 1.3% higher at IWU than at Lawrence University (about $722 more per year; $57,704 vs. $56,982).
  • The same share of students receive grant aid at Illinois Wesleyan University as at Lawrence University (100% vs. 100%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Lawrence University students is 1.2% larger than aid received by Illinois Wesleyan University students ($42,688 vs. $42,181).

Admissions details

  • Incoming IWU students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 27) as students at Lawrence (27).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both IWU and Lawrence.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Lawrence Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at IWU average a 3.86 high school GPA, 0.34 higher than at Lawrence (3.52).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.3% at IWU vs. 16.8% at Lawrence.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Illinois Wesleyan University graduates have a $350 lower median loan debt than Lawrence graduates ($27,000 vs. $27,350).
  • Among borrowers, IWU graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lawrence graduates ($279 vs. $282).
  • More IWU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lawrence students, three years after graduation (87% vs. 76%).

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

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