IWU vs. Louisville

Comparable Facts

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

University of Louisville is larger than IWU based on total student enrollment (23,065 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 Louisville is in Louisville, KY (Large City setting).
• Illinois Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Louisville is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Illinois Wesleyan University 12:1; University of Louisville 14:1.

IWU vs. Louisville Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, IWU or Louisville? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Louisville than IWU ($19,785 vs. $28,644).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Louisville are 5.9% lower than at Illinois Wesleyan University ($12,576 vs. $13,370).
• Illinois Wesleyan University is 339.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Louisville (about $44,568 more per year; $57,704.00 vs. $13,136.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 95.7% higher at IWU than at University of Louisville (about $28,222 more per year; $57,704.00 vs. $29,482.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Illinois Wesleyan University than at University of Louisville (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Illinois Wesleyan University students is 187.4% larger than aid received by University of Louisville students ($42,181 vs. $14,677).

IWU vs. Louisville Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, IWU or Louisville? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Louisville and IWU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Illinois Wesleyan University (1230) is 70 points higher than at Louisville (1160).
• Incoming IWU students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 23 at Louisville).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois Wesleyan University 1120/1340; University of Louisville 1040/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois Wesleyan University 25/30; University of Louisville 19/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: IWU - Test optional; Louisville - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Louisville Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman IWU students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.86) than students at Louisville (3.64).
• Louisville has a higher acceptance rate (79.4%) than IWU (39.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.3% at IWU vs. 25.1% at Louisville.

IWU vs. Louisville Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for IWU and Louisville? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Illinois Wesleyan University's six-year graduation rate (82%) is higher than University of Louisville's (51%).
• Graduates from Illinois Wesleyan University earn a median of about $15,300 more per year than Louisville graduates about ten years after starting college ($60,500 vs. $45,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Louisville graduates have a $7,344 lower median loan debt than IWU graduates ($19,656 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Louisville graduates have an estimated $76 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than IWU graduates ($203 vs. $279).
• More IWU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Louisville students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 58%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.