IWU vs. Stephens College

Should I go to Illinois Wesleyan University or Stephens College? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if IWU or Stephens College is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Illinois Wesleyan University vs. Stephens College comparison
Illinois Wesleyan University Stephens College College 3 College 4
Illinois Wesleyan University Stephens College
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Overview

IWU Stephens College
Location Bloomington, IL Columbia, MO
Setting Small City Midsize City
Enrollment 1,527 590
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #144
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website iwu.edu stephens.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

IWU Stephens College
Tuition (In State) $53,610 $24,586
Tuition (Out of State) $53,610 $24,586
Room & Board $12,418 $11,488
Avg Net Price $30,096 $26,372
Avg Grant Aid $36,614 $15,518
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 99%

Admission

IWU Stephens College
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 4,408 650
Admitted 1,861 417
Acceptance Rate 42.2% 64.2%
Enrolled % 20.5% 18%
Avg High School GPA 3.86 3.27
Typical High School Grades A- B
Admissions Standards Difficult Moderate
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 25/30 18/25
SAT Range 1120/1330 1050/1240
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Nov 1, 2023

Academics

IWU Stephens College
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 8:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (20%)
  • Social Sciences (13%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • Biology (7%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (36%)
  • Business (24%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Education (6%)
  • English and Literature (4%)

Outcomes

IWU Stephens College
Graduation Rate 82% 55%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $60,500 $37,400
Making Student Loan Payments 87% 63%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $279 $279

Diversity

IWU Stephens College
% Men 51% 7%
% Women 49% 93%
Racial Diversity Low Medium
HBCU No No
% White 71% 69%
% Black 4% 15%
% Hispanic 7% 5%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 1%
% Two or More Races 3% 6%
% International 9% 0%
% Unknown Race 2% 1%

Students

IWU Stephens College
% In-State 77% 54%
% Out-of-State 14% 41%

Campus

IWU Stephens College
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Illinois Wesleyan University is larger than than Stephens College based on total student enrollment (1,527 students vs. 590 students)

IWU vs. Stephens College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, IWU or Stephens College?

  • Illinois Wesleyan University is 118.1% more expensive to attend than Stephens College for in-state tuition ($53,610.00 vs. $24,586.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 118.1% higher at IWU than Stephens College ($53,610.00 vs. $24,586.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Stephens College than IWU ($26,372 vs. $30,096)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Stephens College are 8.1% lower than costs at Illinois Wesleyan University ($11,488 vs. $12,418)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Illinois Wesleyan University than Stephens College (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Illinois Wesleyan University students is 135.9% larger than aid received Stephens College ($36,614 vs. $15,518)

IWU vs. Stephens College Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, IWU or Stephens College? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Stephens College or IWU .

  • The average SAT score at Illinois Wesleyan University (1249) is 213 points higher than at Stephens College (1036)
  • Incoming IWU students have a 6 point higher average ACT score (28) than students at Stephens College (22)
  • Accepted freshman IWU students have a 0.59 point higher average high school GPA (3.86) than students at Stephens College (3.27)
  • Stephens College has a higher acceptance rate (64.2%) than IWU (42.2%)

IWU vs. Stephens College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, IWU or Stephens College? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Stephens College and IWU.

  • The graduation rate at IWU is higher than Stephens College (82% vs. 55%)
  • Graduates from Illinois Wesleyan University earn on average $23,100 more per year than Stephens College graduates after ten years. ($60,500 vs. $37,400)
  • Stephens College and IWU graduates both have the same median student loan debt upon graduation ($27,000 vs. $27,000)
  • Stephens College and IWU graduates both have a median monthly student loan payment upon graduation ($279 vs. $279)
  • More IWU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Stephens College students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 63%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/