IWU vs. North Central College

Illinois Wesleyan University and North Central College side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Illinois Wesleyan University
North Central College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: IWU (39.3% admitted vs 77.3%). Typical SAT 1230 vs 1180.
  • Cheaper after aid: North Central College. Average net price is $23,276 vs $28,644 at IWU.
  • Graduation: IWU 82% vs North Central College 64%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: IWU $60,500 vs North Central College $48,900 (median).
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Key differences

Illinois Wesleyan University North Central College
Acceptance rate
IWU more selective
IWU39.3%
North Central College77.3%
SAT range (middle 50%)
IWU higher
IWU1120-1340
North Central College1055-1310
Average net price
North Central College $5,368 less
IWU$28,644
North Central College$23,276
In-state tuition
North Central College $11,978 less
IWU$57,704
North Central College$45,726
Out-of-state tuition
North Central College $11,978 less
IWU$57,704
North Central College$45,726
Graduation rate
IWU +18 pts
IWU82%
North Central College64%
Median earnings (10 years)
IWU +$11,600
IWU$60,500
North Central College$48,900

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • IWU 9,558
  • North Central College 4,596
  • Admitted
  • IWU 3,757
  • North Central College 3,554
  • Acceptance rate
  • IWU 39.3%
  • North Central College 77.3%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • IWU 12.3%
  • North Central College 13.6%
  • Typical SAT score
  • IWU 1230
  • North Central College 1180
  • Typical ACT score
  • IWU 27
  • North Central College 26
  • Average high school GPA
  • IWU 3.86
  • North Central College 3.6
  • Typical high school grades
  • IWU A
  • North Central College A-
  • Admissions standards
  • IWU Difficult
  • North Central College Challenging
  • Applicant competition
  • IWU High
  • North Central College
  • SAT range
  • IWU 1120-1340
  • North Central College 1055-1310
  • ACT range
  • IWU 25-30
  • North Central College 24-29
  • Submit test scores
  • IWU Test optional
  • North Central College Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • IWU
  • North Central College Apr 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • IWU $57,704
  • North Central College $45,726
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • IWU $57,704
  • North Central College $45,726
  • Room & board
  • IWU $13,370
  • North Central College $14,688
  • Average net price
  • IWU $28,644
  • North Central College $23,276
  • Average grant aid
  • IWU $42,181
  • North Central College $34,056
  • % receiving grant aid
  • IWU 100%
  • North Central College 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • IWU 82%
  • North Central College 64%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • IWU $60,500
  • North Central College $48,900
  • Making student loan payments
  • IWU 87%
  • North Central College 74%
  • Median student loan debt
  • IWU $27,000
  • North Central College $25,000
  • Median loan payment
  • IWU $279
  • North Central College $258
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • IWU 12:1
  • North Central College 12:1
  • Popular majors
  • IWU
    • Business (20%)
    • Social Sciences (13%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • Biology (7%)
  • North Central College
    • Business (28%)
    • Education (13%)
    • Social Sciences (12%)
    • Communication (7%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (6%)
  • Location
  • IWU Bloomington, IL
  • North Central College Naperville, IL
  • Setting
  • IWU Small City
  • North Central College Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • IWU 1,582
  • North Central College 3,003
  • Type
  • IWU Private 4 Year
  • North Central College Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • IWU #157
  • North Central College #372

Comparable Facts

Compare Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, IL with North Central College in Naperville, IL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

North Central College is larger than IWU based on total student enrollment (3,003 students vs. 1,582 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Illinois Wesleyan University is located in Bloomington, IL (Small City setting); North Central College is in Naperville, IL (Midsize City setting).
  • Illinois Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. North Central College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Illinois Wesleyan University 12:1; North Central College 12:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Illinois Wesleyan University are 9% lower than at North Central College ($13,370 vs. $14,688).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 26.2% higher at IWU than at North Central College (about $11,978 more per year; $57,704 vs. $45,726).
  • The same share of students receive grant aid at Illinois Wesleyan University as at North Central College (100% vs. 100%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Illinois Wesleyan University students is 23.9% larger than aid received by North Central College students ($42,181 vs. $34,056).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at IWU than at North Central College (27 vs. 26, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both IWU and North Central College.
  • Typical fall application deadline: North Central College Apr 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at IWU average a 3.86 high school GPA, 0.26 higher than at North Central College (3.6).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.3% at IWU vs. 13.6% at North Central College.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, North Central College graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than IWU graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, North Central College graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than IWU graduates ($258 vs. $279).
  • More IWU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former North Central College 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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