IWU vs. Kentucky

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

Illinois Wesleyan University
University of Kentucky

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: IWU (39.3% admitted vs 92.9%). Typical SAT 1230 vs 1180.
  • Cheaper after aid: Kentucky. Average net price is $21,958 vs $28,644 at IWU.
  • Graduation: IWU 82% vs Kentucky 59%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: IWU $60,500 vs Kentucky $51,000 (median).
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Key differences

Illinois Wesleyan University University of Kentucky
Acceptance rate
IWU more selective
IWU39.3%
Kentucky92.9%
SAT range (middle 50%)
IWU higher
IWU1120-1340
Kentucky1070-1290
Average net price
Kentucky $6,686 less
IWU$28,644
Kentucky$21,958
In-state tuition
Kentucky $44,202 less
IWU$57,704
Kentucky$13,502
Out-of-state tuition
Kentucky $23,564 less
IWU$57,704
Kentucky$34,140
Graduation rate
IWU +23 pts
IWU82%
Kentucky59%
Median earnings (10 years)
IWU +$9,500
IWU$60,500
Kentucky$51,000

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • IWU 9,558
  • Kentucky 31,517
  • Admitted
  • IWU 3,757
  • Kentucky 29,293
  • Acceptance rate
  • IWU 39.3%
  • Kentucky 92.9%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • IWU 12.3%
  • Kentucky 22.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • IWU 1230
  • Kentucky 1180
  • Typical ACT score
  • IWU 27
  • Kentucky 24
  • Average high school GPA
  • IWU 3.86
  • Kentucky 3.59
  • Typical high school grades
  • IWU A
  • Kentucky A-
  • Admissions standards
  • IWU Difficult
  • Kentucky Challenging
  • Applicant competition
  • IWU High
  • Kentucky
  • SAT range
  • IWU 1120-1340
  • Kentucky 1070-1290
  • ACT range
  • IWU 25-30
  • Kentucky 21-28
  • Submit test scores
  • IWU Test optional
  • Kentucky Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • IWU
  • Kentucky Feb 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • IWU $57,704
  • Kentucky $13,502
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • IWU $57,704
  • Kentucky $34,140
  • Room & board
  • IWU $13,370
  • Kentucky $16,016
  • Average net price
  • IWU $28,644
  • Kentucky $21,958
  • Average grant aid
  • IWU $42,181
  • Kentucky $12,898
  • % receiving grant aid
  • IWU 100%
  • Kentucky 95%
  • Graduation rate
  • IWU 82%
  • Kentucky 59%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • IWU $60,500
  • Kentucky $51,000
  • Making student loan payments
  • IWU 87%
  • Kentucky 62%
  • Median student loan debt
  • IWU $27,000
  • Kentucky $22,750
  • Median loan payment
  • IWU $279
  • Kentucky $235
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • IWU 12:1
  • Kentucky 18:1
  • Popular majors
  • IWU
    • Business (20%)
    • Social Sciences (13%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • Biology (7%)
  • Kentucky
    • Business (19%)
    • Communication (8%)
    • Engineering (8%)
    • Education (8%)
    • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Location
  • IWU Bloomington, IL
  • Kentucky Lexington, KY
  • Setting
  • IWU Small City
  • Kentucky Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • IWU 1,582
  • Kentucky 34,709
  • Type
  • IWU Private 4 Year
  • Kentucky Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • IWU #157
  • Kentucky #437

Comparable Facts

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

University of Kentucky is larger than IWU based on total student enrollment (34,709 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 Kentucky is in Lexington, KY (Large City setting).
  • Illinois Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Kentucky is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Illinois Wesleyan University 12:1; University of Kentucky 18:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Illinois Wesleyan University are 16.5% lower than at University of Kentucky ($13,370 vs. $16,016).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 69% higher at IWU than at University of Kentucky (about $23,564 more per year; $57,704 vs. $34,140).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Illinois Wesleyan University than at University of Kentucky (100% vs. 95%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Illinois Wesleyan University students is 227% larger than aid received by University of Kentucky students ($42,181 vs. $12,898).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 3 points higher at IWU than at Kentucky (27 vs. 24, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both IWU and Kentucky.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Kentucky Feb 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at IWU average a 3.86 high school GPA, 0.27 higher than at Kentucky (3.59).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.3% at IWU vs. 22.2% at Kentucky.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Kentucky graduates have a $4,250 lower median loan debt than IWU graduates ($22,750 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Kentucky graduates have an estimated $44 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than IWU graduates ($235 vs. $279).
  • More IWU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Kentucky students, three years after graduation (87% vs. 62%).

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

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