IWU vs. Ripon College

Comparable Facts

Compare Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, IL with Ripon College in Ripon, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Illinois Wesleyan University is larger than Ripon College based on total student enrollment (1,582 students vs. 709 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Illinois Wesleyan University is located in Bloomington, IL (Small City setting); Ripon College is in Ripon, WI (Rural Fringe setting).
• Illinois Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Ripon College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Illinois Wesleyan University 12:1; Ripon College 12:1.

IWU vs. Ripon College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, IWU or Ripon College? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Ripon College than IWU ($23,772 vs. $28,644).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ripon College are 19.2% lower than at Illinois Wesleyan University ($10,800 vs. $13,370).
• Illinois Wesleyan University is 11.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Ripon College (about $5,804 more per year; $57,704.00 vs. $51,900.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 11.2% higher at IWU than at Ripon College (about $5,804 more per year; $57,704.00 vs. $51,900.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Illinois Wesleyan University as at Ripon College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Illinois Wesleyan University students is 6.2% larger than aid received by Ripon College students ($42,181 vs. $39,716).

IWU vs. Ripon College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, IWU or Ripon College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Ripon College and IWU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Illinois Wesleyan University (1230) is 100 points higher than at Ripon College (1130).
• Incoming IWU students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 24 at Ripon College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois Wesleyan University 1120/1340; Ripon College 980/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois Wesleyan University 25/30; Ripon College 21/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: IWU - Test optional; Ripon College - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman IWU students have a 0.45 point higher average high school GPA (3.86) than students at Ripon College (3.41).
• Ripon College has a higher acceptance rate (79.8%) than IWU (39.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.3% at IWU vs. 10.9% at Ripon College.

IWU vs. Ripon College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for IWU and Ripon College? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Illinois Wesleyan University's six-year graduation rate (82%) is higher than Ripon College's (70%).
• Graduates from Illinois Wesleyan University earn a median of about $11,300 more per year than Ripon College graduates about ten years after starting college ($60,500 vs. $49,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Illinois Wesleyan University graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Ripon College graduates ($27,000 vs. $28,000).
• Among borrowers, IWU graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Ripon College graduates ($279 vs. $289).
• More IWU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Ripon College students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 77%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.