IWU vs. WSU

Illinois Wesleyan University and Wayne State University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Illinois Wesleyan University
Wayne State University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: IWU (39.3% admitted vs 81.2%). Typical SAT 1230 vs 1170.
  • Cheaper after aid: WSU. Average net price is $14,416 vs $28,644 at IWU.
  • Graduation: IWU 82% vs WSU 26%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: IWU $60,500 vs WSU $51,000 (median).
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Key differences

Illinois Wesleyan University Wayne State University
Acceptance rate
IWU more selective
IWU39.3%
WSU81.2%
SAT range (middle 50%)
IWU higher
IWU1120-1340
WSU1060-1270
Average net price
WSU $14,228 less
IWU$28,644
WSU$14,416
In-state tuition
WSU $42,514 less
IWU$57,704
WSU$15,190
Out-of-state tuition
WSU $25,667 less
IWU$57,704
WSU$32,037
Graduation rate
IWU +56 pts
IWU82%
WSU26%
Median earnings (10 years)
IWU +$9,500
IWU$60,500
WSU$51,000

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • IWU 9,558
  • WSU 16,981
  • Admitted
  • IWU 3,757
  • WSU 13,781
  • Acceptance rate
  • IWU 39.3%
  • WSU 81.2%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • IWU 12.3%
  • WSU 22.4%
  • Typical SAT score
  • IWU 1230
  • WSU 1170
  • Typical ACT score
  • IWU 27
  • WSU 26
  • Average high school GPA
  • IWU 3.86
  • WSU 3.42
  • Typical high school grades
  • IWU A
  • WSU B+
  • Admissions standards
  • IWU Difficult
  • WSU Challenging
  • Applicant competition
  • IWU High
  • WSU
  • SAT range
  • IWU 1120-1340
  • WSU 1060-1270
  • ACT range
  • IWU 25-30
  • WSU 23-29
  • Submit test scores
  • IWU Test optional
  • WSU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • IWU
  • WSU Aug 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • IWU $57,704
  • WSU $15,190
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • IWU $57,704
  • WSU $32,037
  • Room & board
  • IWU $13,370
  • WSU $14,252
  • Average net price
  • IWU $28,644
  • WSU $14,416
  • Average grant aid
  • IWU $42,181
  • WSU $12,953
  • % receiving grant aid
  • IWU 100%
  • WSU 98%
  • Graduation rate
  • IWU 82%
  • WSU 26%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • IWU $60,500
  • WSU $51,000
  • Making student loan payments
  • IWU 87%
  • WSU 38%
  • Median student loan debt
  • IWU $27,000
  • WSU $22,258
  • Median loan payment
  • IWU $279
  • WSU $230
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • IWU 12:1
  • WSU 14:1
  • Popular majors
  • IWU
    • Business (20%)
    • Social Sciences (13%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • Biology (7%)
  • WSU
    • Business (17%)
    • Psychology (10%)
    • Education (9%)
    • Health Professions (8%)
    • Biology (7%)
  • Location
  • IWU Bloomington, IL
  • WSU Detroit, MI
  • Setting
  • IWU Small City
  • WSU Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • IWU 1,582
  • WSU 23,803
  • Type
  • IWU Private 4 Year
  • WSU Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • IWU #157
  • WSU #551

Comparable Facts

Compare Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, IL with Wayne State University in Detroit, MI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Wayne State University is larger than IWU based on total student enrollment (23,803 students vs. 1,582 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Illinois Wesleyan University is located in Bloomington, IL (Small City setting); Wayne State University is in Detroit, MI (Large City setting).
  • Illinois Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Wayne State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Illinois Wesleyan University 12:1; Wayne State University 14:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Illinois Wesleyan University are 6.2% lower than at Wayne State University ($13,370 vs. $14,252).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 80.1% higher at IWU than at Wayne State University (about $25,667 more per year; $57,704 vs. $32,037).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Illinois Wesleyan University than at Wayne State University (100% vs. 98%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Illinois Wesleyan University students is 225.6% larger than aid received by Wayne State University students ($42,181 vs. $12,953).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at IWU than at WSU (27 vs. 26, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both IWU and WSU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: WSU Aug 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at IWU average a 3.86 high school GPA, 0.44 higher than at WSU (3.42).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.3% at IWU vs. 22.4% at WSU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Wayne State University graduates have a $4,742 lower median loan debt than IWU graduates ($22,258 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, WSU 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 WSU students, three years after graduation (87% vs. 38%).

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

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