IWU vs. Iowa

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

Illinois Wesleyan University
University of Iowa

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: IWU (39.3% admitted vs 83.6%). Typical SAT 1230 vs 1230.
  • Cheaper after aid: Iowa. Average net price is $21,765 vs $28,644 at IWU.
  • Graduation: IWU 82% vs Iowa 71%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: IWU $60,500 vs Iowa $59,800 (median).
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Key differences

Illinois Wesleyan University University of Iowa
Acceptance rate
IWU more selective
IWU39.3%
Iowa83.6%
SAT range (middle 50%)
IWU higher
IWU1120-1340
Iowa1130-1330
Average net price
Iowa $6,879 less
IWU$28,644
Iowa$21,765
In-state tuition
Iowa $46,421 less
IWU$57,704
Iowa$11,283
Out-of-state tuition
Iowa $24,333 less
IWU$57,704
Iowa$33,371
Graduation rate
IWU +11 pts
IWU82%
Iowa71%
Median earnings (10 years)
IWU +$700
IWU$60,500
Iowa$59,800

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • IWU 9,558
  • Iowa 27,770
  • Admitted
  • IWU 3,757
  • Iowa 23,222
  • Acceptance rate
  • IWU 39.3%
  • Iowa 83.6%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • IWU 12.3%
  • Iowa 22.4%
  • Typical SAT score
  • IWU 1230
  • Iowa 1230
  • Typical ACT score
  • IWU 27
  • Iowa 24
  • Average high school GPA
  • IWU 3.86
  • Iowa 3.81
  • Typical high school grades
  • IWU A
  • Iowa A-
  • Admissions standards
  • IWU Difficult
  • Iowa Challenging
  • Applicant competition
  • IWU High
  • Iowa
  • SAT range
  • IWU 1120-1340
  • Iowa 1130-1330
  • ACT range
  • IWU 25-30
  • Iowa 21-28
  • Submit test scores
  • IWU Test optional
  • Iowa Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • IWU
  • Iowa May 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • IWU $57,704
  • Iowa $11,283
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • IWU $57,704
  • Iowa $33,371
  • Room & board
  • IWU $13,370
  • Iowa $12,920
  • Average net price
  • IWU $28,644
  • Iowa $21,765
  • Average grant aid
  • IWU $42,181
  • Iowa $9,865
  • % receiving grant aid
  • IWU 100%
  • Iowa 76%
  • Graduation rate
  • IWU 82%
  • Iowa 71%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • IWU $60,500
  • Iowa $59,800
  • Making student loan payments
  • IWU 87%
  • Iowa 70%
  • Median student loan debt
  • IWU $27,000
  • Iowa $21,616
  • Median loan payment
  • IWU $279
  • Iowa $223
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • IWU 12:1
  • Iowa 16:1
  • Popular majors
  • IWU
    • Business (20%)
    • Social Sciences (13%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • Biology (7%)
  • Iowa
    • Business (18%)
    • Social Sciences (9%)
    • Health Professions (9%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (8%)
    • Communication (8%)
  • Location
  • IWU Bloomington, IL
  • Iowa Iowa City, IA
  • Setting
  • IWU Small City
  • Iowa Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • IWU 1,582
  • Iowa 30,779
  • Type
  • IWU Private 4 Year
  • Iowa Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • IWU #157
  • Iowa #233

Comparable Facts

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

University of Iowa is larger than IWU based on total student enrollment (30,779 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 Iowa is in Iowa City, IA (Small City setting).
  • Illinois Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Iowa is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Illinois Wesleyan University 12:1; University of Iowa 16:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Iowa are 3.4% lower than at Illinois Wesleyan University ($12,920 vs. $13,370).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 72.9% higher at IWU than at University of Iowa (about $24,333 more per year; $57,704 vs. $33,371).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Illinois Wesleyan University than at University of Iowa (100% vs. 76%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Illinois Wesleyan University students is 327.6% larger than aid received by University of Iowa students ($42,181 vs. $9,865).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 3 points higher at IWU than at Iowa (27 vs. 24, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both IWU and Iowa.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Iowa May 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at IWU average a 3.86 high school GPA, 0.05 higher than at Iowa (3.81).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.3% at IWU vs. 22.4% at Iowa.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Iowa graduates have a $5,384 lower median loan debt than IWU graduates ($21,616 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Iowa graduates have an estimated $56 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than IWU graduates ($223 vs. $279).
  • More IWU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Iowa students, three years after graduation (87% vs. 70%).

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

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