IWU vs. Washington and Lee

Illinois Wesleyan University and Washington and Lee University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Illinois Wesleyan University
Washington and Lee University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Washington and Lee (14% admitted vs 39.3%). Typical SAT 1490 vs 1230.
  • Cheaper after aid: Washington and Lee. Average net price is $23,055 vs $28,644 at IWU.
  • Graduation: IWU 82% vs Washington and Lee 91%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: IWU $60,500 vs Washington and Lee $89,000 (median).
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Key differences

Illinois Wesleyan University Washington and Lee University
Acceptance rate
Washington and Lee more selective
IWU39.3%
Washington and Lee14%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Washington and Lee higher
IWU1120-1340
Washington and Lee1430-1540
Average net price
Washington and Lee $5,589 less
IWU$28,644
Washington and Lee$23,055
In-state tuition
IWU $10,341 less
IWU$57,704
Washington and Lee$68,045
Out-of-state tuition
IWU $10,341 less
IWU$57,704
Washington and Lee$68,045
Graduation rate
Washington and Lee +9 pts
IWU82%
Washington and Lee91%
Median earnings (10 years)
Washington and Lee +$28,500
IWU$60,500
Washington and Lee$89,000

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • IWU 9,558
  • Washington and Lee 8,213
  • Admitted
  • IWU 3,757
  • Washington and Lee 1,147
  • Acceptance rate
  • IWU 39.3%
  • Washington and Lee 14%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • IWU 12.3%
  • Washington and Lee 41.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • IWU 1230
  • Washington and Lee 1490
  • Typical ACT score
  • IWU 27
  • Washington and Lee 33
  • Average high school GPA
  • IWU 3.86
  • Washington and Lee 3.87
  • Typical high school grades
  • IWU A
  • Washington and Lee A
  • Admissions standards
  • IWU Difficult
  • Washington and Lee Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • IWU High
  • Washington and Lee Very High
  • SAT range
  • IWU 1120-1340
  • Washington and Lee 1430-1540
  • ACT range
  • IWU 25-30
  • Washington and Lee 33-34
  • Submit test scores
  • IWU Test optional
  • Washington and Lee Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • IWU
  • Washington and Lee Jan 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • IWU $57,704
  • Washington and Lee $68,045
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • IWU $57,704
  • Washington and Lee $68,045
  • Room & board
  • IWU $13,370
  • Washington and Lee $18,685
  • Average net price
  • IWU $28,644
  • Washington and Lee $23,055
  • Average grant aid
  • IWU $42,181
  • Washington and Lee $63,945
  • % receiving grant aid
  • IWU 100%
  • Washington and Lee 64%
  • Graduation rate
  • IWU 82%
  • Washington and Lee 91%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • IWU $60,500
  • Washington and Lee $89,000
  • Making student loan payments
  • IWU 87%
  • Washington and Lee 88%
  • Median student loan debt
  • IWU $27,000
  • Washington and Lee $21,500
  • Median loan payment
  • IWU $279
  • Washington and Lee $222
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • IWU 12:1
  • Washington and Lee 7:1
  • Popular majors
  • IWU
    • Business (20%)
    • Social Sciences (13%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • Biology (7%)
  • Washington and Lee
    • Social Sciences (21%)
    • Business (19%)
    • Foreign Languages (9%)
    • History (7%)
    • Biology (7%)
  • Location
  • IWU Bloomington, IL
  • Washington and Lee Lexington, VA
  • Setting
  • IWU Small City
  • Washington and Lee Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • IWU 1,582
  • Washington and Lee 2,241
  • Type
  • IWU Private 4 Year
  • Washington and Lee Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • IWU #157
  • Washington and Lee #31

Comparable Facts

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

Washington and Lee University is larger than IWU based on total student enrollment (2,241 students vs. 1,582 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Illinois Wesleyan University is located in Bloomington, IL (Small City setting); Washington and Lee University is in Lexington, VA (Distant Town setting).
  • Illinois Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Washington and Lee University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Illinois Wesleyan University 12:1; Washington and Lee University 7:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Illinois Wesleyan University are 28.4% lower than at Washington and Lee University ($13,370 vs. $18,685).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 17.9% higher at Washington and Lee than at Illinois Wesleyan University (about $10,341 more per year; $68,045 vs. $57,704).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Illinois Wesleyan University than at Washington and Lee University (100% vs. 64%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Washington and Lee University students is 51.6% larger than aid received by Illinois Wesleyan University students ($63,945 vs. $42,181).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 6 points higher at Washington and Lee than at IWU (33 vs. 27, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both IWU and Washington and Lee.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Washington and Lee Jan 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Washington and Lee average a 3.87 high school GPA, 0.01 higher than at IWU (3.86).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.3% at IWU vs. 41.2% at Washington and Lee.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Washington and Lee University graduates have a $5,500 lower median loan debt than IWU graduates ($21,500 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Washington and Lee graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than IWU graduates ($222 vs. $279).
  • More Washington and Lee graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former IWU students, three years after graduation (88% vs. 87%).

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

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