IWU vs. St Olaf

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

Illinois Wesleyan University
St Olaf College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: IWU (39.3% admitted vs 48.3%). Typical SAT 1230 vs 1390.
  • Cheaper after aid: St Olaf. Average net price is $26,756 vs $28,644 at IWU.
  • Graduation: IWU 82% vs St Olaf 85%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: IWU $60,500 vs St Olaf $53,700 (median).
See your own chances ->

Key differences

Illinois Wesleyan University St Olaf College
Acceptance rate
IWU more selective
IWU39.3%
St Olaf48.3%
SAT range (middle 50%)
St Olaf higher
IWU1120-1340
St Olaf1300-1470
Average net price
St Olaf $1,888 less
IWU$28,644
St Olaf$26,756
In-state tuition
IWU $2,056 less
IWU$57,704
St Olaf$59,760
Out-of-state tuition
IWU $2,056 less
IWU$57,704
St Olaf$59,760
Graduation rate
St Olaf +3 pts
IWU82%
St Olaf85%
Median earnings (10 years)
IWU +$6,800
IWU$60,500
St Olaf$53,700

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

Admission calculator

Partner

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

Check my chances at IWU Check my chances at St Olaf
  • Applied
  • IWU 9,558
  • St Olaf 6,623
  • Admitted
  • IWU 3,757
  • St Olaf 3,200
  • Acceptance rate
  • IWU 39.3%
  • St Olaf 48.3%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • IWU 12.3%
  • St Olaf 26.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • IWU 1230
  • St Olaf 1390
  • Typical ACT score
  • IWU 27
  • St Olaf 30
  • Average high school GPA
  • IWU 3.86
  • St Olaf 3.68
  • Typical high school grades
  • IWU A
  • St Olaf A-
  • Admissions standards
  • IWU Difficult
  • St Olaf Very High
  • Applicant competition
  • IWU High
  • St Olaf Low
  • SAT range
  • IWU 1120-1340
  • St Olaf 1300-1470
  • ACT range
  • IWU 25-30
  • St Olaf 28-32
  • Submit test scores
  • IWU Test optional
  • St Olaf Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • IWU
  • St Olaf Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • IWU $57,704
  • St Olaf $59,760
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • IWU $57,704
  • St Olaf $59,760
  • Room & board
  • IWU $13,370
  • St Olaf $13,630
  • Average net price
  • IWU $28,644
  • St Olaf $26,756
  • Average grant aid
  • IWU $42,181
  • St Olaf $45,098
  • % receiving grant aid
  • IWU 100%
  • St Olaf 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • IWU 82%
  • St Olaf 85%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • IWU $60,500
  • St Olaf $53,700
  • Making student loan payments
  • IWU 87%
  • St Olaf 91%
  • Median student loan debt
  • IWU $27,000
  • St Olaf $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • IWU $279
  • St Olaf $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • IWU 12:1
  • St Olaf 11:1
  • Popular majors
  • IWU
    • Business (20%)
    • Social Sciences (13%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • Biology (7%)
  • St Olaf
    • Social Sciences (16%)
    • Biology (12%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
    • Physical Sciences (8%)
    • Mathematics (8%)
  • Location
  • IWU Bloomington, IL
  • St Olaf Northfield, MN
  • Setting
  • IWU Small City
  • St Olaf Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • IWU 1,582
  • St Olaf 3,124
  • Type
  • IWU Private 4 Year
  • St Olaf Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • IWU #157
  • St Olaf #143

Comparable Facts

Compare Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, IL with St Olaf College in Northfield, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

St Olaf College is larger than IWU based on total student enrollment (3,124 students vs. 1,582 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Illinois Wesleyan University is located in Bloomington, IL (Small City setting); St Olaf College is in Northfield, MN (Distant Town setting).
  • Illinois Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. St Olaf College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Illinois Wesleyan University 12:1; St Olaf College 11:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Illinois Wesleyan University are 1.9% lower than at St Olaf College ($13,370 vs. $13,630).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 3.6% higher at St Olaf than at Illinois Wesleyan University (about $2,056 more per year; $59,760 vs. $57,704).
  • The same share of students receive grant aid at Illinois Wesleyan University as at St Olaf College (100% vs. 100%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by St Olaf College students is 6.9% larger than aid received by Illinois Wesleyan University students ($45,098 vs. $42,181).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 3 points higher at St Olaf than at IWU (30 vs. 27, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both IWU and St Olaf.
  • Typical fall application deadline: St Olaf Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at IWU average a 3.86 high school GPA, 0.18 higher than at St Olaf (3.68).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.3% at IWU vs. 26.8% at St Olaf.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, St Olaf College and IWU graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers in the federal data, St Olaf College and IWU graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
  • More St Olaf graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former IWU students, three years after graduation (91% vs. 87%).

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
St Olaf College
Add a college Compare up to 4

Frequently compared to these colleges