IWU vs. WUSTL

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

Illinois Wesleyan University
Washington University in St Louis

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: WUSTL (12.1% admitted vs 39.3%). Typical SAT 1540 vs 1230.
  • Cheaper after aid: WUSTL . Average net price is $22,408 vs $28,644 at IWU.
  • Graduation: IWU 82% vs WUSTL 93%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: IWU $60,500 vs WUSTL $82,800 (median).
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Key differences

Illinois Wesleyan University Washington University in St Louis
Acceptance rate
WUSTL more selective
IWU39.3%
WUSTL 12.1%
SAT range (middle 50%)
WUSTL higher
IWU1120-1340
WUSTL 1500-1570
Average net price
WUSTL $6,236 less
IWU$28,644
WUSTL $22,408
In-state tuition
IWU $8,086 less
IWU$57,704
WUSTL $65,790
Out-of-state tuition
IWU $8,086 less
IWU$57,704
WUSTL $65,790
Graduation rate
WUSTL +11 pts
IWU82%
WUSTL 93%
Median earnings (10 years)
WUSTL +$22,300
IWU$60,500
WUSTL $82,800

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • IWU 9,558
  • WUSTL 32,754
  • Admitted
  • IWU 3,757
  • WUSTL 3,951
  • Acceptance rate
  • IWU 39.3%
  • WUSTL 12.1%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • IWU 12.3%
  • WUSTL 46.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • IWU 1230
  • WUSTL 1540
  • Typical ACT score
  • IWU 27
  • WUSTL 34
  • Average high school GPA
  • IWU 3.86
  • WUSTL 3.92
  • Typical high school grades
  • IWU A
  • WUSTL A
  • Admissions standards
  • IWU Difficult
  • WUSTL Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • IWU High
  • WUSTL Very High
  • SAT range
  • IWU 1120-1340
  • WUSTL 1500-1570
  • ACT range
  • IWU 25-30
  • WUSTL 33-35
  • Submit test scores
  • IWU Test optional
  • WUSTL Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • IWU
  • WUSTL Jan 4, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • IWU $57,704
  • WUSTL $65,790
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • IWU $57,704
  • WUSTL $65,790
  • Room & board
  • IWU $13,370
  • WUSTL $21,854
  • Average net price
  • IWU $28,644
  • WUSTL $22,408
  • Average grant aid
  • IWU $42,181
  • WUSTL $66,080
  • % receiving grant aid
  • IWU 100%
  • WUSTL 49%
  • Graduation rate
  • IWU 82%
  • WUSTL 93%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • IWU $60,500
  • WUSTL $82,800
  • Making student loan payments
  • IWU 87%
  • WUSTL 88%
  • Median student loan debt
  • IWU $27,000
  • WUSTL $19,900
  • Median loan payment
  • IWU $279
  • WUSTL $205
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • IWU 12:1
  • WUSTL 7:1
  • Popular majors
  • IWU
    • Business (20%)
    • Social Sciences (13%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • Biology (7%)
  • WUSTL
    • Business (17%)
    • Social Sciences (16%)
    • Engineering (11%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • Biology (7%)
  • Location
  • IWU Bloomington, IL
  • WUSTL St. Louis, MO
  • Setting
  • IWU Small City
  • WUSTL Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • IWU 1,582
  • WUSTL 16,357
  • Type
  • IWU Private 4 Year
  • WUSTL Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • IWU #157
  • WUSTL #21

Comparable Facts

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

Washington University in St Louis is larger than IWU based on total student enrollment (16,357 students vs. 1,582 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Illinois Wesleyan University is located in Bloomington, IL (Small City setting); Washington University in St Louis is in St. Louis, MO (Large Suburban setting).
  • Illinois Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Washington University in St Louis is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Illinois Wesleyan University 12:1; Washington University in St Louis 7:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Illinois Wesleyan University are 38.8% lower than at Washington University in St Louis ($13,370 vs. $21,854).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 14% higher at WUSTL than at Illinois Wesleyan University (about $8,086 more per year; $65,790 vs. $57,704).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Illinois Wesleyan University than at Washington University in St Louis (100% vs. 49%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Washington University in St Louis students is 56.7% larger than aid received by Illinois Wesleyan University students ($66,080 vs. $42,181).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 7 points higher at WUSTL than at IWU (34 vs. 27, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both IWU and WUSTL .
  • Typical fall application deadline: WUSTL Jan 4, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at WUSTL average a 3.92 high school GPA, 0.06 higher than at IWU (3.86).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.3% at IWU vs. 46.7% at WUSTL .

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Washington University in St Louis graduates have a $7,100 lower median loan debt than IWU graduates ($19,900 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, WUSTL graduates have an estimated $74 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than IWU graduates ($205 vs. $279).
  • More WUSTL 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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