IWU vs. Oberlin

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

Illinois Wesleyan University
Oberlin College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Oberlin (34.2% admitted vs 39.3%). Typical SAT 1440 vs 1230.
  • Cheaper after aid: IWU. Average net price is $28,644 vs $51,624 at Oberlin.
  • Graduation: IWU 82% vs Oberlin 88%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: IWU $60,500 vs Oberlin $43,900 (median).
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Key differences

Illinois Wesleyan University Oberlin College
Acceptance rate
Oberlin more selective
IWU39.3%
Oberlin34.2%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Oberlin higher
IWU1120-1340
Oberlin1360-1520
Average net price
IWU $22,980 less
IWU$28,644
Oberlin$51,624
In-state tuition
IWU $9,662 less
IWU$57,704
Oberlin$67,366
Out-of-state tuition
IWU $9,662 less
IWU$57,704
Oberlin$67,366
Graduation rate
Oberlin +6 pts
IWU82%
Oberlin88%
Median earnings (10 years)
IWU +$16,600
IWU$60,500
Oberlin$43,900

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • IWU 9,558
  • Oberlin 10,536
  • Admitted
  • IWU 3,757
  • Oberlin 3,601
  • Acceptance rate
  • IWU 39.3%
  • Oberlin 34.2%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • IWU 12.3%
  • Oberlin 19.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • IWU 1230
  • Oberlin 1440
  • Typical ACT score
  • IWU 27
  • Oberlin 32
  • Average high school GPA
  • IWU 3.86
  • Oberlin 3.67
  • Typical high school grades
  • IWU A
  • Oberlin A-
  • Admissions standards
  • IWU Difficult
  • Oberlin Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • IWU High
  • Oberlin High
  • SAT range
  • IWU 1120-1340
  • Oberlin 1360-1520
  • ACT range
  • IWU 25-30
  • Oberlin 31-34
  • Submit test scores
  • IWU Test optional
  • Oberlin Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • IWU
  • Oberlin Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • IWU $57,704
  • Oberlin $67,366
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • IWU $57,704
  • Oberlin $67,366
  • Room & board
  • IWU $13,370
  • Oberlin $19,510
  • Average net price
  • IWU $28,644
  • Oberlin $51,624
  • Average grant aid
  • IWU $42,181
  • Oberlin $35,780
  • % receiving grant aid
  • IWU 100%
  • Oberlin 99%
  • Graduation rate
  • IWU 82%
  • Oberlin 88%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • IWU $60,500
  • Oberlin $43,900
  • Making student loan payments
  • IWU 87%
  • Oberlin 82%
  • Median student loan debt
  • IWU $27,000
  • Oberlin $26,579
  • Median loan payment
  • IWU $279
  • Oberlin $274
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • IWU 12:1
  • Oberlin 9:1
  • Popular majors
  • IWU
    • Business (20%)
    • Social Sciences (13%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • Biology (7%)
  • Oberlin
    • Visual and Performing Arts (26%)
    • Social Sciences (13%)
    • Biology (12%)
    • English and Literature (9%)
    • Ethnic Studies (9%)
  • Location
  • IWU Bloomington, IL
  • Oberlin Oberlin, OH
  • Setting
  • IWU Small City
  • Oberlin Midsize Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • IWU 1,582
  • Oberlin 2,909
  • Type
  • IWU Private 4 Year
  • Oberlin Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • IWU #157
  • Oberlin #153

Comparable Facts

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

Oberlin College is larger than IWU based on total student enrollment (2,909 students vs. 1,582 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Illinois Wesleyan University are 31.5% lower than at Oberlin College ($13,370 vs. $19,510).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 16.7% higher at Oberlin than at Illinois Wesleyan University (about $9,662 more per year; $67,366 vs. $57,704).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Illinois Wesleyan University than at Oberlin College (100% vs. 99%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Illinois Wesleyan University students is 17.9% larger than aid received by Oberlin College students ($42,181 vs. $35,780).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 5 points higher at Oberlin than at IWU (32 vs. 27, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both IWU and Oberlin.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Oberlin Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at IWU average a 3.86 high school GPA, 0.19 higher than at Oberlin (3.67).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.3% at IWU vs. 19.5% at Oberlin.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Oberlin College graduates have a $421 lower median loan debt than IWU graduates ($26,579 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Oberlin graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than IWU graduates ($274 vs. $279).
  • More IWU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Oberlin students, three years after graduation (87% vs. 82%).

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

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