IWU vs. Rust College

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

Illinois Wesleyan University
Rust College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: IWU (39.3% admitted vs 48.7%). Typical SAT 1230 vs 890.
  • Cheaper after aid: Rust College. Average net price is $12,037 vs $28,644 at IWU.
  • Graduation: IWU 82% vs Rust College 28%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: IWU $60,500 vs Rust College $25,100 (median).
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Key differences

Illinois Wesleyan University Rust College
Acceptance rate
IWU more selective
IWU39.3%
Rust College48.7%
SAT range (middle 50%)
IWU higher
IWU1120-1340
Rust College440-1339
Average net price
Rust College $16,607 less
IWU$28,644
Rust College$12,037
In-state tuition
Rust College $44,439 less
IWU$57,704
Rust College$13,265
Out-of-state tuition
Rust College $44,439 less
IWU$57,704
Rust College$13,265
Graduation rate
IWU +54 pts
IWU82%
Rust College28%
Median earnings (10 years)
IWU +$35,400
IWU$60,500
Rust College$25,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

Admission calculator

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  • Applied
  • IWU 9,558
  • Rust College 3,807
  • Admitted
  • IWU 3,757
  • Rust College 1,853
  • Acceptance rate
  • IWU 39.3%
  • Rust College 48.7%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • IWU 12.3%
  • Rust College 6.4%
  • Typical SAT score
  • IWU 1230
  • Rust College 890
  • Typical ACT score
  • IWU 27
  • Rust College 17
  • Average high school GPA
  • IWU 3.86
  • Rust College 2.66
  • Typical high school grades
  • IWU A
  • Rust College B-
  • Admissions standards
  • IWU Difficult
  • Rust College Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • IWU High
  • Rust College Low
  • SAT range
  • IWU 1120-1340
  • Rust College 440-1339
  • ACT range
  • IWU 25-30
  • Rust College 17-18
  • Submit test scores
  • IWU Test optional
  • Rust College Test-free
  • Application deadline
  • IWU
  • Rust College
  • Tuition (in state)
  • IWU $57,704
  • Rust College $13,265
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • IWU $57,704
  • Rust College $13,265
  • Room & board
  • IWU $13,370
  • Rust College $6,217
  • Average net price
  • IWU $28,644
  • Rust College $12,037
  • Average grant aid
  • IWU $42,181
  • Rust College $10,993
  • % receiving grant aid
  • IWU 100%
  • Rust College 91%
  • Graduation rate
  • IWU 82%
  • Rust College 28%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • IWU $60,500
  • Rust College $25,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • IWU 87%
  • Rust College 21%
  • Median student loan debt
  • IWU $27,000
  • Rust College $27,837
  • Median loan payment
  • IWU $279
  • Rust College $287
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • IWU 12:1
  • Rust College 10:1
  • Popular majors
  • IWU
    • Business (20%)
    • Social Sciences (13%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • Biology (7%)
  • Rust College
    • Biology (20%)
    • Education (15%)
    • Business (12%)
    • Communication (12%)
    • Social Sciences (9%)
  • Location
  • IWU Bloomington, IL
  • Rust College Holly Springs, MS
  • Setting
  • IWU Small City
  • Rust College Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • IWU 1,582
  • Rust College 467
  • Type
  • IWU Private 4 Year
  • Rust College Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • IWU #157
  • Rust College

Comparable Facts

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

Illinois Wesleyan University is larger than Rust College based on total student enrollment (1,582 students vs. 467 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Illinois Wesleyan University is located in Bloomington, IL (Small City setting); Rust College is in Holly Springs, MS (Distant Town setting).
  • Illinois Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Rust College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Illinois Wesleyan University 12:1; Rust College 10:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rust College are 53.5% lower than at Illinois Wesleyan University ($6,217 vs. $13,370).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 335% higher at IWU than at Rust College (about $44,439 more per year; $57,704 vs. $13,265).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Illinois Wesleyan University than at Rust College (100% vs. 91%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Illinois Wesleyan University students is 283.7% larger than aid received by Rust College students ($42,181 vs. $10,993).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 10 points higher at IWU than at Rust College (27 vs. 17, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at IWU, test-free at Rust College.
  • Enrolled first-year students at IWU average a 3.86 high school GPA, 1.2 higher than at Rust College (2.66).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.3% at IWU vs. 6.4% at Rust College.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Illinois Wesleyan University graduates have a $837 lower median loan debt than Rust College graduates ($27,000 vs. $27,837).
  • Among borrowers, IWU graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Rust College graduates ($279 vs. $287).
  • More IWU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Rust College students, three years after graduation (87% vs. 21%).

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

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