IWU vs. KU

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

Illinois Wesleyan University
University of Kansas

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: IWU (39.3% admitted vs 93.5%). Typical SAT 1230 vs 1190.
  • Cheaper after aid: KU. Average net price is $19,205 vs $28,644 at IWU.
  • Graduation: IWU 82% vs KU 61%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: IWU $60,500 vs KU $54,600 (median).
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Key differences

Illinois Wesleyan University University of Kansas
Acceptance rate
IWU more selective
IWU39.3%
KU93.5%
SAT range (middle 50%)
IWU higher
IWU1120-1340
KU1070-1300
Average net price
KU $9,439 less
IWU$28,644
KU$19,205
In-state tuition
KU $45,602 less
IWU$57,704
KU$12,102
Out-of-state tuition
KU $27,272 less
IWU$57,704
KU$30,432
Graduation rate
IWU +21 pts
IWU82%
KU61%
Median earnings (10 years)
IWU +$5,900
IWU$60,500
KU$54,600

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • IWU 9,558
  • KU 22,363
  • Admitted
  • IWU 3,757
  • KU 20,905
  • Acceptance rate
  • IWU 39.3%
  • KU 93.5%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • IWU 12.3%
  • KU 25.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • IWU 1230
  • KU 1190
  • Typical ACT score
  • IWU 27
  • KU 24
  • Average high school GPA
  • IWU 3.86
  • KU 3.66
  • Typical high school grades
  • IWU A
  • KU A-
  • Admissions standards
  • IWU Difficult
  • KU Challenging
  • Applicant competition
  • IWU High
  • KU
  • SAT range
  • IWU 1120-1340
  • KU 1070-1300
  • ACT range
  • IWU 25-30
  • KU 20-28
  • Submit test scores
  • IWU Test optional
  • KU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • IWU
  • KU Aug 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • IWU $57,704
  • KU $12,102
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • IWU $57,704
  • KU $30,432
  • Room & board
  • IWU $13,370
  • KU $11,358
  • Average net price
  • IWU $28,644
  • KU $19,205
  • Average grant aid
  • IWU $42,181
  • KU $11,541
  • % receiving grant aid
  • IWU 100%
  • KU 91%
  • Graduation rate
  • IWU 82%
  • KU 61%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • IWU $60,500
  • KU $54,600
  • Making student loan payments
  • IWU 87%
  • KU 66%
  • Median student loan debt
  • IWU $27,000
  • KU $20,500
  • Median loan payment
  • IWU $279
  • KU $211
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • IWU 12:1
  • KU 18:1
  • Popular majors
  • IWU
    • Business (20%)
    • Social Sciences (13%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • Biology (7%)
  • KU
    • Business (15%)
    • Communication (12%)
    • Social Sciences (9%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
    • Health Professions (7%)
  • Location
  • IWU Bloomington, IL
  • KU Lawrence, KS
  • Setting
  • IWU Small City
  • KU Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • IWU 1,582
  • KU 29,792
  • Type
  • IWU Private 4 Year
  • KU Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • IWU #157
  • KU #317

Comparable Facts

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

University of Kansas is larger than IWU based on total student enrollment (29,792 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 Kansas is in Lawrence, KS (Small City setting).
  • Illinois Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Kansas is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Illinois Wesleyan University 12:1; University of Kansas 18:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Kansas are 15% lower than at Illinois Wesleyan University ($11,358 vs. $13,370).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 89.6% higher at IWU than at University of Kansas (about $27,272 more per year; $57,704 vs. $30,432).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Illinois Wesleyan University than at University of Kansas (100% vs. 91%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Illinois Wesleyan University students is 265.5% larger than aid received by University of Kansas students ($42,181 vs. $11,541).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 3 points higher at IWU than at KU (27 vs. 24, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both IWU and KU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: KU Aug 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at IWU average a 3.86 high school GPA, 0.2 higher than at KU (3.66).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.3% at IWU vs. 25.5% at KU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Kansas graduates have a $6,500 lower median loan debt than IWU graduates ($20,500 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, KU graduates have an estimated $68 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than IWU graduates ($211 vs. $279).
  • More IWU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former KU students, three years after graduation (87% vs. 66%).

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

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