IWU vs. ONU

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

Illinois Wesleyan University
Ohio Northern University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: IWU (39.3% admitted vs 74.4%). Typical SAT 1230 vs 1290.
  • Cheaper after aid: ONU. Average net price is $25,941 vs $28,644 at IWU.
  • Graduation: IWU 82% vs ONU 65%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: IWU $60,500 vs ONU $71,200 (median).
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Key differences

Illinois Wesleyan University Ohio Northern University
Acceptance rate
IWU more selective
IWU39.3%
ONU74.4%
SAT range (middle 50%)
ONU higher
IWU1120-1340
ONU1175-1400
Average net price
ONU $2,703 less
IWU$28,644
ONU$25,941
In-state tuition
ONU $17,904 less
IWU$57,704
ONU$39,800
Out-of-state tuition
ONU $17,904 less
IWU$57,704
ONU$39,800
Graduation rate
IWU +17 pts
IWU82%
ONU65%
Median earnings (10 years)
ONU +$10,700
IWU$60,500
ONU$71,200

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • IWU 9,558
  • ONU 4,640
  • Admitted
  • IWU 3,757
  • ONU 3,452
  • Acceptance rate
  • IWU 39.3%
  • ONU 74.4%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • IWU 12.3%
  • ONU 19.9%
  • Typical SAT score
  • IWU 1230
  • ONU 1290
  • Typical ACT score
  • IWU 27
  • ONU 26
  • Average high school GPA
  • IWU 3.86
  • ONU 3.78
  • Typical high school grades
  • IWU A
  • ONU A-
  • Admissions standards
  • IWU Difficult
  • ONU Difficult
  • Applicant competition
  • IWU High
  • ONU Low
  • SAT range
  • IWU 1120-1340
  • ONU 1175-1400
  • ACT range
  • IWU 25-30
  • ONU 24-29
  • Submit test scores
  • IWU Test optional
  • ONU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • IWU
  • ONU Aug 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • IWU $57,704
  • ONU $39,800
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • IWU $57,704
  • ONU $39,800
  • Room & board
  • IWU $13,370
  • ONU $14,604
  • Average net price
  • IWU $28,644
  • ONU $25,941
  • Average grant aid
  • IWU $42,181
  • ONU $27,696
  • % receiving grant aid
  • IWU 100%
  • ONU 97%
  • Graduation rate
  • IWU 82%
  • ONU 65%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • IWU $60,500
  • ONU $71,200
  • Making student loan payments
  • IWU 87%
  • ONU 82%
  • Median student loan debt
  • IWU $27,000
  • ONU $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • IWU $279
  • ONU $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • IWU 12:1
  • ONU 13:1
  • Popular majors
  • IWU
    • Business (20%)
    • Social Sciences (13%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • Biology (7%)
  • ONU
    • Business (19%)
    • Engineering (16%)
    • Health Professions (11%)
    • Biology (7%)
    • Education (7%)
  • Location
  • IWU Bloomington, IL
  • ONU Ada, OH
  • Setting
  • IWU Small City
  • ONU Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • IWU 1,582
  • ONU 3,140
  • Type
  • IWU Private 4 Year
  • ONU Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • IWU #157
  • ONU #228

Comparable Facts

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

Ohio Northern University is larger than IWU based on total student enrollment (3,140 students vs. 1,582 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Illinois Wesleyan University is located in Bloomington, IL (Small City setting); Ohio Northern University is in Ada, OH (Distant Town setting).
  • Illinois Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Ohio Northern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Illinois Wesleyan University 12:1; Ohio Northern University 13:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Illinois Wesleyan University are 8.4% lower than at Ohio Northern University ($13,370 vs. $14,604).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 45% higher at IWU than at Ohio Northern University (about $17,904 more per year; $57,704 vs. $39,800).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Illinois Wesleyan University than at Ohio Northern University (100% vs. 97%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Illinois Wesleyan University students is 52.3% larger than aid received by Ohio Northern University students ($42,181 vs. $27,696).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at IWU than at ONU (27 vs. 26, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both IWU and ONU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: ONU Aug 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at IWU average a 3.86 high school GPA, 0.08 higher than at ONU (3.78).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.3% at IWU vs. 19.9% at ONU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Ohio Northern University and IWU graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers in the federal data, Ohio Northern University 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 ONU 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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