IWU vs. Northern Illinois

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

Illinois Wesleyan University
Northern Illinois University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: IWU (39.3% admitted vs 69.8%). Typical SAT 1230 vs 1060.
  • Cheaper after aid: Northern Illinois. Average net price is $14,243 vs $28,644 at IWU.
  • Graduation: IWU 82% vs Northern Illinois 56%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: IWU $60,500 vs Northern Illinois $47,600 (median).
See your own chances ->

Key differences

Illinois Wesleyan University Northern Illinois University
Acceptance rate
IWU more selective
IWU39.3%
Northern Illinois69.8%
SAT range (middle 50%)
IWU higher
IWU1120-1340
Northern Illinois940-1170
Average net price
Northern Illinois $14,401 less
IWU$28,644
Northern Illinois$14,243
In-state tuition
Northern Illinois $44,456 less
IWU$57,704
Northern Illinois$13,248
Out-of-state tuition
Northern Illinois $44,456 less
IWU$57,704
Northern Illinois$13,248
Graduation rate
IWU +26 pts
IWU82%
Northern Illinois56%
Median earnings (10 years)
IWU +$12,900
IWU$60,500
Northern Illinois$47,600

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

Admission calculator

Partner

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

Check my chances at IWU Check my chances at Northern Illinois
  • Applied
  • IWU 9,558
  • Northern Illinois 23,651
  • Admitted
  • IWU 3,757
  • Northern Illinois 16,505
  • Acceptance rate
  • IWU 39.3%
  • Northern Illinois 69.8%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • IWU 12.3%
  • Northern Illinois 12.1%
  • Typical SAT score
  • IWU 1230
  • Northern Illinois 1060
  • Typical ACT score
  • IWU 27
  • Northern Illinois 22
  • Average high school GPA
  • IWU 3.86
  • Northern Illinois 3.3
  • Typical high school grades
  • IWU A
  • Northern Illinois B+
  • Admissions standards
  • IWU Difficult
  • Northern Illinois Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • IWU High
  • Northern Illinois Low
  • SAT range
  • IWU 1120-1340
  • Northern Illinois 940-1170
  • ACT range
  • IWU 25-30
  • Northern Illinois 19-25
  • Submit test scores
  • IWU Test optional
  • Northern Illinois Test-free
  • Application deadline
  • IWU
  • Northern Illinois Aug 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • IWU $57,704
  • Northern Illinois $13,248
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • IWU $57,704
  • Northern Illinois $13,248
  • Room & board
  • IWU $13,370
  • Northern Illinois $14,160
  • Average net price
  • IWU $28,644
  • Northern Illinois $14,243
  • Average grant aid
  • IWU $42,181
  • Northern Illinois $14,387
  • % receiving grant aid
  • IWU 100%
  • Northern Illinois 98%
  • Graduation rate
  • IWU 82%
  • Northern Illinois 56%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • IWU $60,500
  • Northern Illinois $47,600
  • Making student loan payments
  • IWU 87%
  • Northern Illinois 61%
  • Median student loan debt
  • IWU $27,000
  • Northern Illinois $23,859
  • Median loan payment
  • IWU $279
  • Northern Illinois $246
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • IWU 12:1
  • Northern Illinois 15:1
  • Popular majors
  • IWU
    • Business (20%)
    • Social Sciences (13%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • Biology (7%)
  • Northern Illinois
    • Business (18%)
    • Health Professions (15%)
    • Social Sciences (11%)
    • Education (9%)
    • Communication (9%)
  • Location
  • IWU Bloomington, IL
  • Northern Illinois Dekalb, IL
  • Setting
  • IWU Small City
  • Northern Illinois Small Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • IWU 1,582
  • Northern Illinois 15,414
  • Type
  • IWU Private 4 Year
  • Northern Illinois Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • IWU #157
  • Northern Illinois #498

Comparable Facts

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

Northern Illinois University is larger than IWU based on total student enrollment (15,414 students vs. 1,582 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Illinois Wesleyan University is located in Bloomington, IL (Small City setting); Northern Illinois University is in Dekalb, IL (Small Suburban setting).
  • Illinois Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Northern Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Illinois Wesleyan University 12:1; Northern Illinois University 15:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Illinois Wesleyan University are 5.6% lower than at Northern Illinois University ($13,370 vs. $14,160).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 335.6% higher at IWU than at Northern Illinois University (about $44,456 more per year; $57,704 vs. $13,248).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Illinois Wesleyan University than at Northern Illinois University (100% vs. 98%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Illinois Wesleyan University students is 193.2% larger than aid received by Northern Illinois University students ($42,181 vs. $14,387).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 5 points higher at IWU than at Northern Illinois (27 vs. 22, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at IWU, test-free at Northern Illinois.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Northern Illinois Aug 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at IWU average a 3.86 high school GPA, 0.56 higher than at Northern Illinois (3.3).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.3% at IWU vs. 12.1% at Northern Illinois.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Northern Illinois University graduates have a $3,141 lower median loan debt than IWU graduates ($23,859 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Northern Illinois graduates have an estimated $33 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than IWU graduates ($246 vs. $279).
  • More IWU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northern Illinois students, three years after graduation (87% vs. 61%).

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
Northern Illinois University
Add a college Compare up to 4

Frequently compared to these colleges