IWU vs. Wooster

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

Illinois Wesleyan University
The College of Wooster

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: IWU (39.3% admitted vs 59.5%). Typical SAT 1230 vs 1340.
  • Cheaper after aid: about even. Average net price is $28,644 at IWU vs $28,004 at Wooster. Wooster in-state tuition is about $3,936 more per year.
  • Graduation: IWU 82% vs Wooster 75%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: IWU $60,500 vs Wooster $51,200 (median).
See your own chances ->

Key differences

Illinois Wesleyan University The College of Wooster
Acceptance rate
IWU more selective
IWU39.3%
Wooster59.5%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Wooster higher
IWU1120-1340
Wooster1220-1460
Average net price
About even
IWU$28,644
Wooster$28,004
In-state tuition
IWU $3,936 less
IWU$57,704
Wooster$61,640
Out-of-state tuition
IWU $3,936 less
IWU$57,704
Wooster$61,640
Graduation rate
IWU +7 pts
IWU82%
Wooster75%
Median earnings (10 years)
IWU +$9,300
IWU$60,500
Wooster$51,200

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

Admission calculator

Partner

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

Check my chances at IWU Check my chances at Wooster
  • Applied
  • IWU 9,558
  • Wooster 5,473
  • Admitted
  • IWU 3,757
  • Wooster 3,258
  • Acceptance rate
  • IWU 39.3%
  • Wooster 59.5%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • IWU 12.3%
  • Wooster 11.4%
  • Typical SAT score
  • IWU 1230
  • Wooster 1340
  • Typical ACT score
  • IWU 27
  • Wooster 30
  • Average high school GPA
  • IWU 3.86
  • Wooster 3.76
  • Typical high school grades
  • IWU A
  • Wooster A-
  • Admissions standards
  • IWU Difficult
  • Wooster Very High
  • Applicant competition
  • IWU High
  • Wooster Low
  • SAT range
  • IWU 1120-1340
  • Wooster 1220-1460
  • ACT range
  • IWU 25-30
  • Wooster 27-33
  • Submit test scores
  • IWU Test optional
  • Wooster Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • IWU
  • Wooster Feb 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • IWU $57,704
  • Wooster $61,640
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • IWU $57,704
  • Wooster $61,640
  • Room & board
  • IWU $13,370
  • Wooster $14,490
  • Average net price
  • IWU $28,644
  • Wooster $28,004
  • Average grant aid
  • IWU $42,181
  • Wooster $47,672
  • % receiving grant aid
  • IWU 100%
  • Wooster 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • IWU 82%
  • Wooster 75%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • IWU $60,500
  • Wooster $51,200
  • Making student loan payments
  • IWU 87%
  • Wooster 76%
  • Median student loan debt
  • IWU $27,000
  • Wooster $26,000
  • Median loan payment
  • IWU $279
  • Wooster $268
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • IWU 12:1
  • Wooster 10:1
  • Popular majors
  • IWU
    • Business (20%)
    • Social Sciences (13%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • Biology (7%)
  • Wooster
    • Social Sciences (26%)
    • English and Literature (9%)
    • History (9%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • Psychology (8%)
  • Location
  • IWU Bloomington, IL
  • Wooster Wooster, OH
  • Setting
  • IWU Small City
  • Wooster Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • IWU 1,582
  • Wooster 1,738
  • Type
  • IWU Private 4 Year
  • Wooster Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • IWU #157
  • Wooster #187

Comparable Facts

Compare Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, IL with The College of Wooster in Wooster, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

The College of Wooster is larger than IWU based on total student enrollment (1,738 students vs. 1,582 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Illinois Wesleyan University are 7.7% lower than at The College of Wooster ($13,370 vs. $14,490).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 6.8% higher at Wooster than at Illinois Wesleyan University (about $3,936 more per year; $61,640 vs. $57,704).
  • The same share of students receive grant aid at Illinois Wesleyan University as at The College of Wooster (100% vs. 100%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by The College of Wooster students is 13% larger than aid received by Illinois Wesleyan University students ($47,672 vs. $42,181).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 3 points higher at Wooster than at IWU (30 vs. 27, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both IWU and Wooster.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Wooster Feb 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at IWU average a 3.86 high school GPA, 0.1 higher than at Wooster (3.76).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.3% at IWU vs. 11.4% at Wooster.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, The College of Wooster graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than IWU graduates ($26,000 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Wooster graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than IWU graduates ($268 vs. $279).
  • More IWU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Wooster students, three years after graduation (87% vs. 76%).

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
The College of Wooster
Add a college Compare up to 4

Frequently compared to these colleges