IWU vs. Wheaton College

Illinois Wesleyan University and Wheaton College side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Illinois Wesleyan University
Wheaton College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: IWU (39.3% admitted vs 87.4%). Typical SAT 1230 vs 1370.
  • Cheaper after aid: IWU. Average net price is $28,644 vs $31,356 at Wheaton College.
  • Graduation: IWU 82% vs Wheaton College 87%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: IWU $60,500 vs Wheaton College $54,300 (median).
See your own chances ->

Key differences

Illinois Wesleyan University Wheaton College
Acceptance rate
IWU more selective
IWU39.3%
Wheaton College87.4%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Wheaton College higher
IWU1120-1340
Wheaton College1260-1470
Average net price
IWU $2,712 less
IWU$28,644
Wheaton College$31,356
In-state tuition
Wheaton College $12,158 less
IWU$57,704
Wheaton College$45,546
Out-of-state tuition
Wheaton College $12,158 less
IWU$57,704
Wheaton College$45,546
Graduation rate
Wheaton College +5 pts
IWU82%
Wheaton College87%
Median earnings (10 years)
IWU +$6,200
IWU$60,500
Wheaton College$54,300

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

Admission calculator

Partner

Not sure you'd get in? Check your chances at IWU and Wheaton College with Appily's free admission calculator.

Check my chances at IWU Check my chances at Wheaton College
  • Applied
  • IWU 9,558
  • Wheaton College 2,040
  • Admitted
  • IWU 3,757
  • Wheaton College 1,783
  • Acceptance rate
  • IWU 39.3%
  • Wheaton College 87.4%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • IWU 12.3%
  • Wheaton College 29.9%
  • Typical SAT score
  • IWU 1230
  • Wheaton College 1370
  • Typical ACT score
  • IWU 27
  • Wheaton College 30
  • Average high school GPA
  • IWU 3.86
  • Wheaton College 3.75
  • Typical high school grades
  • IWU A
  • Wheaton College A-
  • Admissions standards
  • IWU Difficult
  • Wheaton College Very High
  • Applicant competition
  • IWU High
  • Wheaton College
  • SAT range
  • IWU 1120-1340
  • Wheaton College 1260-1470
  • ACT range
  • IWU 25-30
  • Wheaton College 28-32
  • Submit test scores
  • IWU Test optional
  • Wheaton College Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • IWU
  • Wheaton College Aug 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • IWU $57,704
  • Wheaton College $45,546
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • IWU $57,704
  • Wheaton College $45,546
  • Room & board
  • IWU $13,370
  • Wheaton College $13,010
  • Average net price
  • IWU $28,644
  • Wheaton College $31,356
  • Average grant aid
  • IWU $42,181
  • Wheaton College $27,987
  • % receiving grant aid
  • IWU 100%
  • Wheaton College 98%
  • Graduation rate
  • IWU 82%
  • Wheaton College 87%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • IWU $60,500
  • Wheaton College $54,300
  • Making student loan payments
  • IWU 87%
  • Wheaton College 90%
  • Median student loan debt
  • IWU $27,000
  • Wheaton College $22,500
  • Median loan payment
  • IWU $279
  • Wheaton College $232
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • IWU 12:1
  • Wheaton College 10:1
  • Popular majors
  • IWU
    • Business (20%)
    • Social Sciences (13%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • Biology (7%)
  • Wheaton College
    • Social Sciences (15%)
    • Theology and Religious Vvocations (9%)
    • English and Literature (8%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
    • Business (8%)
  • Location
  • IWU Bloomington, IL
  • Wheaton College Wheaton, IL
  • Setting
  • IWU Small City
  • Wheaton College Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • IWU 1,582
  • Wheaton College 2,874
  • Type
  • IWU Private 4 Year
  • Wheaton College Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • IWU #157
  • Wheaton College #146

Comparable Facts

Compare Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, IL with Wheaton College in Wheaton, IL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Wheaton College is larger than IWU based on total student enrollment (2,874 students vs. 1,582 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Illinois Wesleyan University is located in Bloomington, IL (Small City setting); Wheaton College is in Wheaton, IL (Large Suburban setting).
  • Illinois Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Wheaton College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Illinois Wesleyan University 12:1; Wheaton College 10:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wheaton College are 2.7% lower than at Illinois Wesleyan University ($13,010 vs. $13,370).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 26.7% higher at IWU than at Wheaton College (about $12,158 more per year; $57,704 vs. $45,546).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Illinois Wesleyan University than at Wheaton College (100% vs. 98%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Illinois Wesleyan University students is 50.7% larger than aid received by Wheaton College students ($42,181 vs. $27,987).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 3 points higher at Wheaton College than at IWU (30 vs. 27, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both IWU and Wheaton College.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Wheaton College Aug 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at IWU average a 3.86 high school GPA, 0.11 higher than at Wheaton College (3.75).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.3% at IWU vs. 29.9% at Wheaton College.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Wheaton College graduates have a $4,500 lower median loan debt than IWU graduates ($22,500 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Wheaton College graduates have an estimated $47 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than IWU graduates ($232 vs. $279).
  • More Wheaton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former IWU students, three years after graduation (90% vs. 87%).

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

Change schools

You can add up to two more colleges. Each one gets its own column.

Illinois Wesleyan University
Wheaton College
Add a college Compare up to 4

Frequently compared to these colleges