IWU vs. Purdue

Illinois Wesleyan University and Purdue University Main Campus side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Illinois Wesleyan University
Purdue University Main Campus

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: IWU (39.3% admitted vs 49.9%). Typical SAT 1230 vs 1340.
  • Cheaper after aid: Purdue. Average net price is $13,722 vs $28,644 at IWU.
  • Graduation: IWU 82% vs Purdue 68%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: IWU $60,500 vs Purdue $61,200 (median).
See your own chances ->

Key differences

Illinois Wesleyan University Purdue University Main Campus
Acceptance rate
IWU more selective
IWU39.3%
Purdue49.9%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Purdue higher
IWU1120-1340
Purdue1200-1480
Average net price
Purdue $14,922 less
IWU$28,644
Purdue$13,722
In-state tuition
Purdue $47,712 less
IWU$57,704
Purdue$9,992
Out-of-state tuition
Purdue $28,910 less
IWU$57,704
Purdue$28,794
Graduation rate
IWU +14 pts
IWU82%
Purdue68%
Median earnings (10 years)
Purdue +$700
IWU$60,500
Purdue$61,200

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

Admission calculator

Partner

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

Check my chances at IWU Check my chances at Purdue
  • Applied
  • IWU 9,558
  • Purdue 78,745
  • Admitted
  • IWU 3,757
  • Purdue 39,272
  • Acceptance rate
  • IWU 39.3%
  • Purdue 49.9%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • IWU 12.3%
  • Purdue 29.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • IWU 1230
  • Purdue 1340
  • Typical ACT score
  • IWU 27
  • Purdue 30
  • Average high school GPA
  • IWU 3.86
  • Purdue 3.67
  • Typical high school grades
  • IWU A
  • Purdue A-
  • Admissions standards
  • IWU Difficult
  • Purdue Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • IWU High
  • Purdue Low
  • SAT range
  • IWU 1120-1340
  • Purdue 1200-1480
  • ACT range
  • IWU 25-30
  • Purdue 27-34
  • Submit test scores
  • IWU Test optional
  • Purdue Required
  • Application deadline
  • IWU
  • Purdue
  • Tuition (in state)
  • IWU $57,704
  • Purdue $9,992
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • IWU $57,704
  • Purdue $28,794
  • Room & board
  • IWU $13,370
  • Purdue $12,820
  • Average net price
  • IWU $28,644
  • Purdue $13,722
  • Average grant aid
  • IWU $42,181
  • Purdue $11,294
  • % receiving grant aid
  • IWU 100%
  • Purdue 40%
  • Graduation rate
  • IWU 82%
  • Purdue 68%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • IWU $60,500
  • Purdue $61,200
  • Making student loan payments
  • IWU 87%
  • Purdue 78%
  • Median student loan debt
  • IWU $27,000
  • Purdue $21,500
  • Median loan payment
  • IWU $279
  • Purdue $222
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • IWU 12:1
  • Purdue 14:1
  • Popular majors
  • IWU
    • Business (20%)
    • Social Sciences (13%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • Biology (7%)
  • Purdue
    • Engineering (18%)
    • Business (18%)
    • Engineering Technology (8%)
    • Education (6%)
    • Work and Family Studies (6%)
  • Location
  • IWU Bloomington, IL
  • Purdue West Lafayette, IN
  • Setting
  • IWU Small City
  • Purdue Midsize Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • IWU 1,582
  • Purdue 58,658
  • Type
  • IWU Private 4 Year
  • Purdue Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • IWU #157
  • Purdue #102

Comparable Facts

Compare Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, IL with Purdue University Main Campus in West Lafayette, IN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Purdue University Main Campus is larger than IWU based on total student enrollment (58,658 students vs. 1,582 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Illinois Wesleyan University is located in Bloomington, IL (Small City setting); Purdue University Main Campus is in West Lafayette, IN (Midsize Suburban setting).
  • Illinois Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Purdue University Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Illinois Wesleyan University 12:1; Purdue University Main Campus 14:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Purdue University Main Campus are 4.1% lower than at Illinois Wesleyan University ($12,820 vs. $13,370).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 100.4% higher at IWU than at Purdue University Main Campus (about $28,910 more per year; $57,704 vs. $28,794).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Illinois Wesleyan University than at Purdue University Main Campus (100% vs. 40%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Illinois Wesleyan University students is 273.5% larger than aid received by Purdue University Main Campus students ($42,181 vs. $11,294).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 3 points higher at Purdue than at IWU (30 vs. 27, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at IWU, required at Purdue.
  • Enrolled first-year students at IWU average a 3.86 high school GPA, 0.19 higher than at Purdue (3.67).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.3% at IWU vs. 29.2% at Purdue.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Purdue University Main Campus graduates have a $5,500 lower median loan debt than IWU graduates ($21,500 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Purdue 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 Purdue students, three years after graduation (87% vs. 78%).

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
Purdue University Main Campus
Add a college Compare up to 4

Frequently compared to these colleges