IWU vs. MSOE

Illinois Wesleyan University and Milwaukee School of Engineering side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Illinois Wesleyan University
Milwaukee School of Engineering

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: IWU (39.3% admitted vs 58.9%). Typical SAT 1230 vs 1280.
  • Cheaper after aid: MSOE. Average net price is $25,669 vs $28,644 at IWU.
  • Graduation: IWU 82% vs MSOE 57%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: IWU $60,500 vs MSOE $68,900 (median).
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Key differences

Illinois Wesleyan University Milwaukee School of Engineering
Acceptance rate
IWU more selective
IWU39.3%
MSOE58.9%
SAT range (middle 50%)
MSOE higher
IWU1120-1340
MSOE1160-1405
Average net price
MSOE $2,975 less
IWU$28,644
MSOE$25,669
In-state tuition
MSOE $7,224 less
IWU$57,704
MSOE$50,480
Out-of-state tuition
MSOE $7,224 less
IWU$57,704
MSOE$50,480
Graduation rate
IWU +25 pts
IWU82%
MSOE57%
Median earnings (10 years)
MSOE +$8,400
IWU$60,500
MSOE$68,900

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • IWU 9,558
  • MSOE 6,287
  • Admitted
  • IWU 3,757
  • MSOE 3,705
  • Acceptance rate
  • IWU 39.3%
  • MSOE 58.9%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • IWU 12.3%
  • MSOE 17.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • IWU 1230
  • MSOE 1280
  • Typical ACT score
  • IWU 27
  • MSOE 27
  • Average high school GPA
  • IWU 3.86
  • MSOE 3.65
  • Typical high school grades
  • IWU A
  • MSOE A-
  • Admissions standards
  • IWU Difficult
  • MSOE Difficult
  • Applicant competition
  • IWU High
  • MSOE Low
  • SAT range
  • IWU 1120-1340
  • MSOE 1160-1405
  • ACT range
  • IWU 25-30
  • MSOE 24-30
  • Submit test scores
  • IWU Test optional
  • MSOE Test-free
  • Application deadline
  • IWU
  • MSOE Sep 1, 2026
  • Tuition (in state)
  • IWU $57,704
  • MSOE $50,480
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • IWU $57,704
  • MSOE $50,480
  • Room & board
  • IWU $13,370
  • MSOE $13,984
  • Average net price
  • IWU $28,644
  • MSOE $25,669
  • Average grant aid
  • IWU $42,181
  • MSOE $36,997
  • % receiving grant aid
  • IWU 100%
  • MSOE 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • IWU 82%
  • MSOE 57%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • IWU $60,500
  • MSOE $68,900
  • Making student loan payments
  • IWU 87%
  • MSOE 83%
  • Median student loan debt
  • IWU $27,000
  • MSOE $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • IWU $279
  • MSOE $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • IWU 12:1
  • MSOE 12:1
  • Popular majors
  • IWU
    • Business (20%)
    • Social Sciences (13%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • Biology (7%)
  • MSOE
    • Engineering (66%)
    • Business (17%)
    • Health Professions (9%)
    • Engineering Technology (7%)
    • Communication (1%)
  • Location
  • IWU Bloomington, IL
  • MSOE Milwaukee, WI
  • Setting
  • IWU Small City
  • MSOE Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • IWU 1,582
  • MSOE 2,953
  • Type
  • IWU Private 4 Year
  • MSOE Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • IWU #157
  • MSOE #230

Comparable Facts

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

Milwaukee School of Engineering is larger than IWU based on total student enrollment (2,953 students vs. 1,582 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Illinois Wesleyan University are 4.4% lower than at Milwaukee School of Engineering ($13,370 vs. $13,984).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 14.3% higher at IWU than at Milwaukee School of Engineering (about $7,224 more per year; $57,704 vs. $50,480).
  • The same share of students receive grant aid at Illinois Wesleyan University as at Milwaukee School of Engineering (100% vs. 100%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Illinois Wesleyan University students is 14% larger than aid received by Milwaukee School of Engineering students ($42,181 vs. $36,997).

Admissions details

  • Incoming IWU students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 27) as students at MSOE (27).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at IWU, test-free at MSOE.
  • Typical fall application deadline: MSOE Sep 1, 2026.
  • Enrolled first-year students at IWU average a 3.86 high school GPA, 0.21 higher than at MSOE (3.65).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.3% at IWU vs. 17.2% at MSOE.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Milwaukee School of Engineering and IWU graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers in the federal data, Milwaukee School of Engineering and IWU graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
  • More IWU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MSOE students, three years after graduation (87% vs. 83%).

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

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