IWU vs. Northwest University

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

Illinois Wesleyan University
Northwest University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: IWU (39.3% admitted vs 83.2%). Typical SAT 1230 vs 1200.
  • Cheaper after aid: Northwest University. Average net price is $24,251 vs $28,644 at IWU.
  • Graduation: IWU 82% vs Northwest University 50%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: IWU $60,500 vs Northwest University $41,400 (median).
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Key differences

Illinois Wesleyan University Northwest University
Acceptance rate
IWU more selective
IWU39.3%
Northwest University83.2%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Northwest University higher
IWU1120-1340
Northwest University1040-1350
Average net price
Northwest University $4,393 less
IWU$28,644
Northwest University$24,251
In-state tuition
Northwest University $21,669 less
IWU$57,704
Northwest University$36,035
Out-of-state tuition
Northwest University $21,669 less
IWU$57,704
Northwest University$36,035
Graduation rate
IWU +32 pts
IWU82%
Northwest University50%
Median earnings (10 years)
IWU +$19,100
IWU$60,500
Northwest University$41,400

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • IWU 9,558
  • Northwest University 625
  • Admitted
  • IWU 3,757
  • Northwest University 520
  • Acceptance rate
  • IWU 39.3%
  • Northwest University 83.2%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • IWU 12.3%
  • Northwest University 30.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • IWU 1230
  • Northwest University 1200
  • Typical ACT score
  • IWU 27
  • Northwest University
  • Average high school GPA
  • IWU 3.86
  • Northwest University 3.41
  • Typical high school grades
  • IWU A
  • Northwest University B+
  • Admissions standards
  • IWU Difficult
  • Northwest University Difficult
  • Applicant competition
  • IWU High
  • Northwest University
  • SAT range
  • IWU 1120-1340
  • Northwest University 1040-1350
  • ACT range
  • IWU 25-30
  • Northwest University
  • Submit test scores
  • IWU Test optional
  • Northwest University Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • IWU
  • Northwest University Aug 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • IWU $57,704
  • Northwest University $36,035
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • IWU $57,704
  • Northwest University $36,035
  • Room & board
  • IWU $13,370
  • Northwest University $11,180
  • Average net price
  • IWU $28,644
  • Northwest University $24,251
  • Average grant aid
  • IWU $42,181
  • Northwest University $26,017
  • % receiving grant aid
  • IWU 100%
  • Northwest University 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • IWU 82%
  • Northwest University 50%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • IWU $60,500
  • Northwest University $41,400
  • Making student loan payments
  • IWU 87%
  • Northwest University 62%
  • Median student loan debt
  • IWU $27,000
  • Northwest University $21,532
  • Median loan payment
  • IWU $279
  • Northwest University $222
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • IWU 12:1
  • Northwest University 9:1
  • Popular majors
  • IWU
    • Business (20%)
    • Social Sciences (13%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • Biology (7%)
  • Northwest University
    • Theology and Religious Vvocations (23%)
    • Business (16%)
    • Education (12%)
    • Health Professions (11%)
    • Communication (10%)
  • Location
  • IWU Bloomington, IL
  • Northwest University Kirkland, WA
  • Setting
  • IWU Small City
  • Northwest University Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • IWU 1,582
  • Northwest University 1,053
  • Type
  • IWU Private 4 Year
  • Northwest University Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • IWU #157
  • Northwest University #286

Comparable Facts

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

Illinois Wesleyan University is larger than Northwest University based on total student enrollment (1,582 students vs. 1,053 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Illinois Wesleyan University is located in Bloomington, IL (Small City setting); Northwest University is in Kirkland, WA (Large Suburban setting).
  • Illinois Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Northwest University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Illinois Wesleyan University 12:1; Northwest University 9:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northwest University are 16.4% lower than at Illinois Wesleyan University ($11,180 vs. $13,370).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 60.1% higher at IWU than at Northwest University (about $21,669 more per year; $57,704 vs. $36,035).
  • The same share of students receive grant aid at Illinois Wesleyan University as at Northwest University (100% vs. 100%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Illinois Wesleyan University students is 62.1% larger than aid received by Northwest University students ($42,181 vs. $26,017).

Admissions details

  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both IWU and Northwest University.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Northwest University Aug 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at IWU average a 3.86 high school GPA, 0.45 higher than at Northwest University (3.41).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.3% at IWU vs. 30.8% at Northwest University.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Northwest University graduates have a $5,468 lower median loan debt than IWU graduates ($21,532 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Northwest University graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than IWU graduates ($222 vs. $279).
  • More IWU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northwest University students, three years after graduation (87% vs. 62%).

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

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