IWU vs. Stephens College

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

Illinois Wesleyan University
Stephens College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: IWU (39.3% admitted vs 77.2%). Typical SAT 1230 vs 1200.
  • Cheaper after aid: Stephens College. Average net price is $23,194 vs $28,644 at IWU.
  • Graduation: IWU 82% vs Stephens College 55%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: IWU $60,500 vs Stephens College $37,400 (median).
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Key differences

Illinois Wesleyan University Stephens College
Acceptance rate
IWU more selective
IWU39.3%
Stephens College77.2%
SAT range (middle 50%)
IWU higher
IWU1120-1340
Stephens College1130-1270
Average net price
Stephens College $5,450 less
IWU$28,644
Stephens College$23,194
In-state tuition
Stephens College $29,404 less
IWU$57,704
Stephens College$28,300
Out-of-state tuition
Stephens College $29,404 less
IWU$57,704
Stephens College$28,300
Graduation rate
IWU +27 pts
IWU82%
Stephens College55%
Median earnings (10 years)
IWU +$23,100
IWU$60,500
Stephens College$37,400

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • IWU 9,558
  • Stephens College 1,058
  • Admitted
  • IWU 3,757
  • Stephens College 817
  • Acceptance rate
  • IWU 39.3%
  • Stephens College 77.2%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • IWU 12.3%
  • Stephens College 14.6%
  • Typical SAT score
  • IWU 1230
  • Stephens College 1200
  • Typical ACT score
  • IWU 27
  • Stephens College 19
  • Average high school GPA
  • IWU 3.86
  • Stephens College 3.27
  • Typical high school grades
  • IWU A
  • Stephens College B+
  • Admissions standards
  • IWU Difficult
  • Stephens College Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • IWU High
  • Stephens College
  • SAT range
  • IWU 1120-1340
  • Stephens College 1130-1270
  • ACT range
  • IWU 25-30
  • Stephens College 16-23
  • Submit test scores
  • IWU Test optional
  • Stephens College Test-free
  • Application deadline
  • IWU
  • Stephens College Nov 1, 2026
  • Tuition (in state)
  • IWU $57,704
  • Stephens College $28,300
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • IWU $57,704
  • Stephens College $28,300
  • Room & board
  • IWU $13,370
  • Stephens College $13,366
  • Average net price
  • IWU $28,644
  • Stephens College $23,194
  • Average grant aid
  • IWU $42,181
  • Stephens College $23,341
  • % receiving grant aid
  • IWU 100%
  • Stephens College 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • IWU 82%
  • Stephens College 55%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • IWU $60,500
  • Stephens College $37,400
  • Making student loan payments
  • IWU 87%
  • Stephens College 63%
  • Median student loan debt
  • IWU $27,000
  • Stephens College $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • IWU $279
  • Stephens College $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • IWU 12:1
  • Stephens College 8:1
  • Popular majors
  • IWU
    • Business (20%)
    • Social Sciences (13%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • Biology (7%)
  • Stephens College
    • Visual and Performing Arts (36%)
    • Business (24%)
    • Health Professions (11%)
    • Education (6%)
    • English and Literature (4%)
  • Location
  • IWU Bloomington, IL
  • Stephens College Columbia, MO
  • Setting
  • IWU Small City
  • Stephens College Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • IWU 1,582
  • Stephens College 568
  • Type
  • IWU Private 4 Year
  • Stephens College Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • IWU #157
  • Stephens College

Comparable Facts

Compare Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, IL with Stephens College in Columbia, MO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Illinois Wesleyan University is larger than Stephens College based on total student enrollment (1,582 students vs. 568 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Illinois Wesleyan University is located in Bloomington, IL (Small City setting); Stephens College is in Columbia, MO (Midsize City setting).
  • Illinois Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Stephens College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Illinois Wesleyan University 12:1; Stephens College 8:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Stephens College are 0% lower than at Illinois Wesleyan University ($13,366 vs. $13,370).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 103.9% higher at IWU than at Stephens College (about $29,404 more per year; $57,704 vs. $28,300).
  • The same share of students receive grant aid at Illinois Wesleyan University as at Stephens College (100% vs. 100%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Illinois Wesleyan University students is 80.7% larger than aid received by Stephens College students ($42,181 vs. $23,341).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 8 points higher at IWU than at Stephens College (27 vs. 19, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at IWU, test-free at Stephens College.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Stephens College Nov 1, 2026.
  • Enrolled first-year students at IWU average a 3.86 high school GPA, 0.59 higher than at Stephens College (3.27).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.3% at IWU vs. 14.6% at Stephens College.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Stephens College and IWU graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers in the federal data, Stephens College and IWU graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($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, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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