IWU vs. Otterbein University

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

Illinois Wesleyan University
Otterbein University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: IWU (39.3% admitted vs 84.5%). Typical SAT 1230 vs 1150.
  • Cheaper after aid: Otterbein University. Average net price is $20,457 vs $28,644 at IWU.
  • Graduation: IWU 82% vs Otterbein University 62%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: IWU $60,500 vs Otterbein University $44,800 (median).
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Key differences

Illinois Wesleyan University Otterbein University
Acceptance rate
IWU more selective
IWU39.3%
Otterbein University84.5%
SAT range (middle 50%)
IWU higher
IWU1120-1340
Otterbein University1035-1260
Average net price
Otterbein University $8,187 less
IWU$28,644
Otterbein University$20,457
In-state tuition
Otterbein University $22,156 less
IWU$57,704
Otterbein University$35,548
Out-of-state tuition
Otterbein University $22,156 less
IWU$57,704
Otterbein University$35,548
Graduation rate
IWU +20 pts
IWU82%
Otterbein University62%
Median earnings (10 years)
IWU +$15,700
IWU$60,500
Otterbein University$44,800

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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Check my chances at IWU Check my chances at Otterbein University
  • Applied
  • IWU 9,558
  • Otterbein University 3,923
  • Admitted
  • IWU 3,757
  • Otterbein University 3,316
  • Acceptance rate
  • IWU 39.3%
  • Otterbein University 84.5%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • IWU 12.3%
  • Otterbein University 17.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • IWU 1230
  • Otterbein University 1150
  • Typical ACT score
  • IWU 27
  • Otterbein University 23
  • Average high school GPA
  • IWU 3.86
  • Otterbein University 3.66
  • Typical high school grades
  • IWU A
  • Otterbein University A-
  • Admissions standards
  • IWU Difficult
  • Otterbein University Average
  • Applicant competition
  • IWU High
  • Otterbein University
  • SAT range
  • IWU 1120-1340
  • Otterbein University 1035-1260
  • ACT range
  • IWU 25-30
  • Otterbein University 20-27
  • Submit test scores
  • IWU Test optional
  • Otterbein University Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • IWU
  • Otterbein University
  • Tuition (in state)
  • IWU $57,704
  • Otterbein University $35,548
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • IWU $57,704
  • Otterbein University $35,548
  • Room & board
  • IWU $13,370
  • Otterbein University $13,236
  • Average net price
  • IWU $28,644
  • Otterbein University $20,457
  • Average grant aid
  • IWU $42,181
  • Otterbein University $27,923
  • % receiving grant aid
  • IWU 100%
  • Otterbein University 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • IWU 82%
  • Otterbein University 62%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • IWU $60,500
  • Otterbein University $44,800
  • Making student loan payments
  • IWU 87%
  • Otterbein University 69%
  • Median student loan debt
  • IWU $27,000
  • Otterbein University $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • IWU $279
  • Otterbein University $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • IWU 12:1
  • Otterbein University 12:1
  • Popular majors
  • IWU
    • Business (20%)
    • Social Sciences (13%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • Biology (7%)
  • Otterbein University
    • Visual and Performing Arts (15%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Health Professions (13%)
    • Communication (12%)
    • Education (11%)
  • Location
  • IWU Bloomington, IL
  • Otterbein University Westerville, OH
  • Setting
  • IWU Small City
  • Otterbein University Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • IWU 1,582
  • Otterbein University 2,332
  • Type
  • IWU Private 4 Year
  • Otterbein University Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • IWU #157
  • Otterbein University #541

Comparable Facts

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

Otterbein University is larger than IWU based on total student enrollment (2,332 students vs. 1,582 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Otterbein University are 1% lower than at Illinois Wesleyan University ($13,236 vs. $13,370).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 62.3% higher at IWU than at Otterbein University (about $22,156 more per year; $57,704 vs. $35,548).
  • The same share of students receive grant aid at Illinois Wesleyan University as at Otterbein University (100% vs. 100%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Illinois Wesleyan University students is 51.1% larger than aid received by Otterbein University students ($42,181 vs. $27,923).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 4 points higher at IWU than at Otterbein University (27 vs. 23, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both IWU and Otterbein University.
  • Enrolled first-year students at IWU average a 3.86 high school GPA, 0.2 higher than at Otterbein University (3.66).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.3% at IWU vs. 17.7% at Otterbein University.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Otterbein University and IWU graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers in the federal data, Otterbein 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 Otterbein University students, three years after graduation (87% vs. 69%).

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

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