IWU vs. UC

Illinois Wesleyan University and University of Cincinnati Main Campus side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Illinois Wesleyan University
University of Cincinnati Main Campus

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: IWU (39.3% admitted vs 85.3%). Typical SAT 1230 vs 1270.
  • Cheaper after aid: UC. Average net price is $24,696 vs $28,644 at IWU.
  • Graduation: IWU 82% vs UC 59%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: IWU $60,500 vs UC $45,600 (median).
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Key differences

Illinois Wesleyan University University of Cincinnati Main Campus
Acceptance rate
IWU more selective
IWU39.3%
UC85.3%
SAT range (middle 50%)
UC higher
IWU1120-1340
UC1160-1370
Average net price
UC $3,948 less
IWU$28,644
UC$24,696
In-state tuition
UC $43,728 less
IWU$57,704
UC$13,976
Out-of-state tuition
UC $28,394 less
IWU$57,704
UC$29,310
Graduation rate
IWU +23 pts
IWU82%
UC59%
Median earnings (10 years)
IWU +$14,900
IWU$60,500
UC$45,600

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • IWU 9,558
  • UC 34,285
  • Admitted
  • IWU 3,757
  • UC 29,242
  • Acceptance rate
  • IWU 39.3%
  • UC 85.3%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • IWU 12.3%
  • UC 22.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • IWU 1230
  • UC 1270
  • Typical ACT score
  • IWU 27
  • UC 26
  • Average high school GPA
  • IWU 3.86
  • UC 3.69
  • Typical high school grades
  • IWU A
  • UC A-
  • Admissions standards
  • IWU Difficult
  • UC Difficult
  • Applicant competition
  • IWU High
  • UC
  • SAT range
  • IWU 1120-1340
  • UC 1160-1370
  • ACT range
  • IWU 25-30
  • UC 24-29
  • Submit test scores
  • IWU Test optional
  • UC Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • IWU
  • UC Mar 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • IWU $57,704
  • UC $13,976
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • IWU $57,704
  • UC $29,310
  • Room & board
  • IWU $13,370
  • UC $13,564
  • Average net price
  • IWU $28,644
  • UC $24,696
  • Average grant aid
  • IWU $42,181
  • UC $8,196
  • % receiving grant aid
  • IWU 100%
  • UC 73%
  • Graduation rate
  • IWU 82%
  • UC 59%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • IWU $60,500
  • UC $45,600
  • Making student loan payments
  • IWU 87%
  • UC 57%
  • Median student loan debt
  • IWU $27,000
  • UC $23,000
  • Median loan payment
  • IWU $279
  • UC $237
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • IWU 12:1
  • UC 19:1
  • Popular majors
  • IWU
    • Business (20%)
    • Social Sciences (13%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • Biology (7%)
  • UC
    • Health Professions (16%)
    • Business (15%)
    • Engineering (9%)
    • Education (9%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
  • Location
  • IWU Bloomington, IL
  • UC Cincinnati, OH
  • Setting
  • IWU Small City
  • UC Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • IWU 1,582
  • UC 45,026
  • Type
  • IWU Private 4 Year
  • UC Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • IWU #157
  • UC #429

Comparable Facts

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

University of Cincinnati Main Campus is larger than IWU based on total student enrollment (45,026 students vs. 1,582 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Illinois Wesleyan University is located in Bloomington, IL (Small City setting); University of Cincinnati Main Campus is in Cincinnati, OH (Large City setting).
  • Illinois Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Cincinnati Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Illinois Wesleyan University 12:1; University of Cincinnati Main Campus 19:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Illinois Wesleyan University are 1.4% lower than at University of Cincinnati Main Campus ($13,370 vs. $13,564).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 96.9% higher at IWU than at University of Cincinnati Main Campus (about $28,394 more per year; $57,704 vs. $29,310).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Illinois Wesleyan University than at University of Cincinnati Main Campus (100% vs. 73%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Illinois Wesleyan University students is 414.7% larger than aid received by University of Cincinnati Main Campus students ($42,181 vs. $8,196).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at IWU than at UC (27 vs. 26, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both IWU and UC.
  • Typical fall application deadline: UC Mar 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at IWU average a 3.86 high school GPA, 0.17 higher than at UC (3.69).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.3% at IWU vs. 22.5% at UC.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Cincinnati Main Campus graduates have a $4,000 lower median loan debt than IWU graduates ($23,000 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, UC graduates have an estimated $42 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than IWU graduates ($237 vs. $279).
  • More IWU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UC students, three years after graduation (87% vs. 57%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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