IWU vs. University of Dayton

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

Illinois Wesleyan University
University of Dayton

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: IWU (39.3% admitted vs 65.4%). Typical SAT 1230 vs 1290.
  • Cheaper after aid: IWU. Average net price is $28,644 vs $32,794 at University of Dayton.
  • Graduation: IWU 82% vs University of Dayton 74%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: IWU $60,500 vs University of Dayton $57,300 (median).
See your own chances ->

Key differences

Illinois Wesleyan University University of Dayton
Acceptance rate
IWU more selective
IWU39.3%
University of Dayton65.4%
SAT range (middle 50%)
University of Dayton higher
IWU1120-1340
University of Dayton1200-1380
Average net price
IWU $4,150 less
IWU$28,644
University of Dayton$32,794
In-state tuition
University of Dayton $8,564 less
IWU$57,704
University of Dayton$49,140
Out-of-state tuition
University of Dayton $8,564 less
IWU$57,704
University of Dayton$49,140
Graduation rate
IWU +8 pts
IWU82%
University of Dayton74%
Median earnings (10 years)
IWU +$3,200
IWU$60,500
University of Dayton$57,300

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

Admission calculator

Partner

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

Check my chances at IWU Check my chances at University of Dayton
  • Applied
  • IWU 9,558
  • University of Dayton 21,981
  • Admitted
  • IWU 3,757
  • University of Dayton 14,386
  • Acceptance rate
  • IWU 39.3%
  • University of Dayton 65.4%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • IWU 12.3%
  • University of Dayton 11.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • IWU 1230
  • University of Dayton 1290
  • Typical ACT score
  • IWU 27
  • University of Dayton 28
  • Average high school GPA
  • IWU 3.86
  • University of Dayton 3.77
  • Typical high school grades
  • IWU A
  • University of Dayton A-
  • Admissions standards
  • IWU Difficult
  • University of Dayton Very High
  • Applicant competition
  • IWU High
  • University of Dayton Low
  • SAT range
  • IWU 1120-1340
  • University of Dayton 1200-1380
  • ACT range
  • IWU 25-30
  • University of Dayton 25-31
  • Submit test scores
  • IWU Test optional
  • University of Dayton Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • IWU
  • University of Dayton Feb 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • IWU $57,704
  • University of Dayton $49,140
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • IWU $57,704
  • University of Dayton $49,140
  • Room & board
  • IWU $13,370
  • University of Dayton $16,800
  • Average net price
  • IWU $28,644
  • University of Dayton $32,794
  • Average grant aid
  • IWU $42,181
  • University of Dayton $33,418
  • % receiving grant aid
  • IWU 100%
  • University of Dayton 95%
  • Graduation rate
  • IWU 82%
  • University of Dayton 74%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • IWU $60,500
  • University of Dayton $57,300
  • Making student loan payments
  • IWU 87%
  • University of Dayton 84%
  • Median student loan debt
  • IWU $27,000
  • University of Dayton $26,000
  • Median loan payment
  • IWU $279
  • University of Dayton $268
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • IWU 12:1
  • University of Dayton 14:1
  • Popular majors
  • IWU
    • Business (20%)
    • Social Sciences (13%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • Biology (7%)
  • University of Dayton
    • Business (28%)
    • Engineering (13%)
    • Education (8%)
    • Communication (7%)
    • Health Professions (5%)
  • Location
  • IWU Bloomington, IL
  • University of Dayton Dayton, OH
  • Setting
  • IWU Small City
  • University of Dayton Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • IWU 1,582
  • University of Dayton 10,506
  • Type
  • IWU Private 4 Year
  • University of Dayton Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • IWU #157
  • University of Dayton #204

Comparable Facts

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

University of Dayton is larger than IWU based on total student enrollment (10,506 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 Dayton is in Dayton, OH (Midsize City setting).
  • Illinois Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Dayton is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Illinois Wesleyan University 12:1; University of Dayton 14:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Illinois Wesleyan University are 20.4% lower than at University of Dayton ($13,370 vs. $16,800).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 17.4% higher at IWU than at University of Dayton (about $8,564 more per year; $57,704 vs. $49,140).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Illinois Wesleyan University than at University of Dayton (100% vs. 95%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Illinois Wesleyan University students is 26.2% larger than aid received by University of Dayton students ($42,181 vs. $33,418).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at University of Dayton than at IWU (28 vs. 27, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both IWU and University of Dayton.
  • Typical fall application deadline: University of Dayton Feb 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at IWU average a 3.86 high school GPA, 0.09 higher than at University of Dayton (3.77).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.3% at IWU vs. 11.7% at University of Dayton.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Dayton graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than IWU graduates ($26,000 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, University of Dayton 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 University of Dayton students, three years after graduation (87% vs. 84%).

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
University of Dayton
Add a college Compare up to 4

Frequently compared to these colleges