IWU vs. Michigan State

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

Illinois Wesleyan University
Michigan State University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: IWU (39.3% admitted vs 84.8%). Typical SAT 1230 vs 1270.
  • Cheaper after aid: Michigan State. Average net price is $23,657 vs $28,644 at IWU.
  • Graduation: IWU 82% vs Michigan State 77%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: IWU $60,500 vs Michigan State $60,000 (median).
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Key differences

Illinois Wesleyan University Michigan State University
Acceptance rate
IWU more selective
IWU39.3%
Michigan State84.8%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Michigan State higher
IWU1120-1340
Michigan State1180-1360
Average net price
Michigan State $4,987 less
IWU$28,644
Michigan State$23,657
In-state tuition
Michigan State $41,246 less
IWU$57,704
Michigan State$16,458
Out-of-state tuition
Michigan State $13,862 less
IWU$57,704
Michigan State$43,842
Graduation rate
IWU +5 pts
IWU82%
Michigan State77%
Median earnings (10 years)
IWU +$500
IWU$60,500
Michigan State$60,000

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • IWU 9,558
  • Michigan State 62,138
  • Admitted
  • IWU 3,757
  • Michigan State 52,690
  • Acceptance rate
  • IWU 39.3%
  • Michigan State 84.8%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • IWU 12.3%
  • Michigan State 18.3%
  • Typical SAT score
  • IWU 1230
  • Michigan State 1270
  • Typical ACT score
  • IWU 27
  • Michigan State 28
  • Average high school GPA
  • IWU 3.86
  • Michigan State 3.72
  • Typical high school grades
  • IWU A
  • Michigan State A-
  • Admissions standards
  • IWU Difficult
  • Michigan State Difficult
  • Applicant competition
  • IWU High
  • Michigan State
  • SAT range
  • IWU 1120-1340
  • Michigan State 1180-1360
  • ACT range
  • IWU 25-30
  • Michigan State 25-31
  • Submit test scores
  • IWU Test optional
  • Michigan State Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • IWU
  • Michigan State
  • Tuition (in state)
  • IWU $57,704
  • Michigan State $16,458
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • IWU $57,704
  • Michigan State $43,842
  • Room & board
  • IWU $13,370
  • Michigan State $12,564
  • Average net price
  • IWU $28,644
  • Michigan State $23,657
  • Average grant aid
  • IWU $42,181
  • Michigan State $9,750
  • % receiving grant aid
  • IWU 100%
  • Michigan State 88%
  • Graduation rate
  • IWU 82%
  • Michigan State 77%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • IWU $60,500
  • Michigan State $60,000
  • Making student loan payments
  • IWU 87%
  • Michigan State 68%
  • Median student loan debt
  • IWU $27,000
  • Michigan State $25,484
  • Median loan payment
  • IWU $279
  • Michigan State $263
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • IWU 12:1
  • Michigan State 17:1
  • Popular majors
  • IWU
    • Business (20%)
    • Social Sciences (13%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • Biology (7%)
  • Michigan State
    • Business (17%)
    • Social Sciences (11%)
    • Communication (11%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • Health Professions (6%)
  • Location
  • IWU Bloomington, IL
  • Michigan State East Lansing, MI
  • Setting
  • IWU Small City
  • Michigan State Rural Fringe
  • Total enrollment
  • IWU 1,582
  • Michigan State 52,089
  • Type
  • IWU Private 4 Year
  • Michigan State Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • IWU #157
  • Michigan State #241

Comparable Facts

Compare Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, IL with Michigan State University in East Lansing, MI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Michigan State University is larger than IWU based on total student enrollment (52,089 students vs. 1,582 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Illinois Wesleyan University is located in Bloomington, IL (Small City setting); Michigan State University is in East Lansing, MI (Rural Fringe setting).
  • Illinois Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Michigan State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Illinois Wesleyan University 12:1; Michigan State University 17:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Michigan State University are 6% lower than at Illinois Wesleyan University ($12,564 vs. $13,370).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 31.6% higher at IWU than at Michigan State University (about $13,862 more per year; $57,704 vs. $43,842).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Illinois Wesleyan University than at Michigan State University (100% vs. 88%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Illinois Wesleyan University students is 332.6% larger than aid received by Michigan State University students ($42,181 vs. $9,750).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Michigan State than at IWU (28 vs. 27, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both IWU and Michigan State.
  • Enrolled first-year students at IWU average a 3.86 high school GPA, 0.14 higher than at Michigan State (3.72).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.3% at IWU vs. 18.3% at Michigan State.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Michigan State University graduates have a $1,516 lower median loan debt than IWU graduates ($25,484 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Michigan State graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than IWU graduates ($263 vs. $279).
  • More IWU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Michigan State students, three years after graduation (87% vs. 68%).

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

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