IWU vs. Wisconsin

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

Illinois Wesleyan University
University of Wisconsin Madison

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: IWU (39.3% admitted vs 45.2%). Typical SAT 1230 vs 1450.
  • Cheaper after aid: Wisconsin. Average net price is $14,235 vs $28,644 at IWU.
  • Graduation: IWU 82% vs Wisconsin 82%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: IWU $60,500 vs Wisconsin $64,800 (median).
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Key differences

Illinois Wesleyan University University of Wisconsin Madison
Acceptance rate
IWU more selective
IWU39.3%
Wisconsin45.2%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Wisconsin higher
IWU1120-1340
Wisconsin1380-1520
Average net price
Wisconsin $14,409 less
IWU$28,644
Wisconsin$14,235
In-state tuition
Wisconsin $46,101 less
IWU$57,704
Wisconsin$11,603
Out-of-state tuition
Wisconsin $15,601 less
IWU$57,704
Wisconsin$42,103
Graduation rate
IWU +0 pts
IWU82%
Wisconsin82%
Median earnings (10 years)
Wisconsin +$4,300
IWU$60,500
Wisconsin$64,800

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • IWU 9,558
  • Wisconsin 65,894
  • Admitted
  • IWU 3,757
  • Wisconsin 29,782
  • Acceptance rate
  • IWU 39.3%
  • Wisconsin 45.2%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • IWU 12.3%
  • Wisconsin 28.6%
  • Typical SAT score
  • IWU 1230
  • Wisconsin 1450
  • Typical ACT score
  • IWU 27
  • Wisconsin 31
  • Average high school GPA
  • IWU 3.86
  • Wisconsin 3.88
  • Typical high school grades
  • IWU A
  • Wisconsin A
  • Admissions standards
  • IWU Difficult
  • Wisconsin Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • IWU High
  • Wisconsin Low
  • SAT range
  • IWU 1120-1340
  • Wisconsin 1380-1520
  • ACT range
  • IWU 25-30
  • Wisconsin 29-33
  • Submit test scores
  • IWU Test optional
  • Wisconsin Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • IWU
  • Wisconsin Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • IWU $57,704
  • Wisconsin $11,603
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • IWU $57,704
  • Wisconsin $42,103
  • Room & board
  • IWU $13,370
  • Wisconsin $14,124
  • Average net price
  • IWU $28,644
  • Wisconsin $14,235
  • Average grant aid
  • IWU $42,181
  • Wisconsin $17,741
  • % receiving grant aid
  • IWU 100%
  • Wisconsin 35%
  • Graduation rate
  • IWU 82%
  • Wisconsin 82%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • IWU $60,500
  • Wisconsin $64,800
  • Making student loan payments
  • IWU 87%
  • Wisconsin 84%
  • Median student loan debt
  • IWU $27,000
  • Wisconsin $22,250
  • Median loan payment
  • IWU $279
  • Wisconsin $230
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • IWU 12:1
  • Wisconsin 18:1
  • Popular majors
  • IWU
    • Business (20%)
    • Social Sciences (13%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • Biology (7%)
  • Wisconsin
    • Social Sciences (15%)
    • Biology (12%)
    • Business (10%)
    • Engineering (8%)
    • Communication (6%)
  • Location
  • IWU Bloomington, IL
  • Wisconsin Madison, WI
  • Setting
  • IWU Small City
  • Wisconsin Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • IWU 1,582
  • Wisconsin 51,044
  • Type
  • IWU Private 4 Year
  • Wisconsin Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • IWU #157
  • Wisconsin #109

Comparable Facts

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

University of Wisconsin Madison is larger than IWU based on total student enrollment (51,044 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 Wisconsin Madison is in Madison, WI (Midsize City setting).
  • Illinois Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Wisconsin Madison is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Illinois Wesleyan University 12:1; University of Wisconsin Madison 18:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Illinois Wesleyan University are 5.3% lower than at University of Wisconsin Madison ($13,370 vs. $14,124).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 37.1% higher at IWU than at University of Wisconsin Madison (about $15,601 more per year; $57,704 vs. $42,103).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Illinois Wesleyan University than at University of Wisconsin Madison (100% vs. 35%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Illinois Wesleyan University students is 137.8% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin Madison students ($42,181 vs. $17,741).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 4 points higher at Wisconsin than at IWU (31 vs. 27, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both IWU and Wisconsin.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Wisconsin Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Wisconsin average a 3.88 high school GPA, 0.02 higher than at IWU (3.86).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.3% at IWU vs. 28.6% at Wisconsin.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Wisconsin Madison graduates have a $4,750 lower median loan debt than IWU graduates ($22,250 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Wisconsin graduates have an estimated $49 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than IWU graduates ($230 vs. $279).
  • More IWU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Wisconsin 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.

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