IWU vs. SPU

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

Illinois Wesleyan University
Seattle Pacific University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: IWU (39.3% admitted vs 83.4%). Typical SAT 1230 vs 1190.
  • Cheaper after aid: SPU. Average net price is $25,232 vs $28,644 at IWU.
  • Graduation: IWU 82% vs SPU 74%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: IWU $60,500 vs SPU $50,400 (median).
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Key differences

Illinois Wesleyan University Seattle Pacific University
Acceptance rate
IWU more selective
IWU39.3%
SPU83.4%
SAT range (middle 50%)
IWU higher
IWU1120-1340
SPU1050-1320
Average net price
SPU $3,412 less
IWU$28,644
SPU$25,232
In-state tuition
SPU $17,297 less
IWU$57,704
SPU$40,407
Out-of-state tuition
SPU $17,297 less
IWU$57,704
SPU$40,407
Graduation rate
IWU +8 pts
IWU82%
SPU74%
Median earnings (10 years)
IWU +$10,100
IWU$60,500
SPU$50,400

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • IWU 9,558
  • SPU 2,885
  • Admitted
  • IWU 3,757
  • SPU 2,406
  • Acceptance rate
  • IWU 39.3%
  • SPU 83.4%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • IWU 12.3%
  • SPU 15.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • IWU 1230
  • SPU 1190
  • Typical ACT score
  • IWU 27
  • SPU 24
  • Average high school GPA
  • IWU 3.86
  • SPU 3.53
  • Typical high school grades
  • IWU A
  • SPU A-
  • Admissions standards
  • IWU Difficult
  • SPU Challenging
  • Applicant competition
  • IWU High
  • SPU
  • SAT range
  • IWU 1120-1340
  • SPU 1050-1320
  • ACT range
  • IWU 25-30
  • SPU 20-28
  • Submit test scores
  • IWU Test optional
  • SPU Test-free
  • Application deadline
  • IWU
  • SPU Jul 11, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • IWU $57,704
  • SPU $40,407
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • IWU $57,704
  • SPU $40,407
  • Room & board
  • IWU $13,370
  • SPU $16,491
  • Average net price
  • IWU $28,644
  • SPU $25,232
  • Average grant aid
  • IWU $42,181
  • SPU $31,558
  • % receiving grant aid
  • IWU 100%
  • SPU 99%
  • Graduation rate
  • IWU 82%
  • SPU 74%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • IWU $60,500
  • SPU $50,400
  • Making student loan payments
  • IWU 87%
  • SPU 82%
  • Median student loan debt
  • IWU $27,000
  • SPU $25,603
  • Median loan payment
  • IWU $279
  • SPU $264
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • IWU 12:1
  • SPU 13:1
  • Popular majors
  • IWU
    • Business (20%)
    • Social Sciences (13%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • Biology (7%)
  • SPU
    • Business (13%)
    • Social Sciences (11%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (11%)
    • Health Professions (9%)
    • Psychology (8%)
  • Location
  • IWU Bloomington, IL
  • SPU Seattle, WA
  • Setting
  • IWU Small City
  • SPU Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • IWU 1,582
  • SPU 2,261
  • Type
  • IWU Private 4 Year
  • SPU Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • IWU #157
  • SPU #291

Comparable Facts

Compare Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, IL with Seattle Pacific University in Seattle, WA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Seattle Pacific University is larger than IWU based on total student enrollment (2,261 students vs. 1,582 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Illinois Wesleyan University is located in Bloomington, IL (Small City setting); Seattle Pacific University is in Seattle, WA (Large City setting).
  • Illinois Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Seattle Pacific University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Illinois Wesleyan University 12:1; Seattle Pacific University 13:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Illinois Wesleyan University are 18.9% lower than at Seattle Pacific University ($13,370 vs. $16,491).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 42.8% higher at IWU than at Seattle Pacific University (about $17,297 more per year; $57,704 vs. $40,407).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Illinois Wesleyan University than at Seattle Pacific University (100% vs. 99%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Illinois Wesleyan University students is 33.7% larger than aid received by Seattle Pacific University students ($42,181 vs. $31,558).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 3 points higher at IWU than at SPU (27 vs. 24, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at IWU, test-free at SPU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: SPU Jul 11, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at IWU average a 3.86 high school GPA, 0.33 higher than at SPU (3.53).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.3% at IWU vs. 15.8% at SPU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Seattle Pacific University graduates have a $1,397 lower median loan debt than IWU graduates ($25,603 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, SPU graduates have an estimated $15 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than IWU graduates ($264 vs. $279).
  • More IWU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SPU 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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