Illinois vs. IWU
University of Illinois Urbana Champaign and Illinois Wesleyan University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.
University of Illinois Urbana Champaign
Illinois Wesleyan University
At a glance
- Harder to get into: IWU (39.3% admitted vs 42.4%). Typical SAT 1230 vs 1420.
- Cheaper after aid: Illinois. Average net price is $13,973 vs $28,644 at IWU.
- Graduation: Illinois 82% vs IWU 82%.
- Earnings 10 years out: Illinois $66,500 vs IWU $60,500 (median).
Acceptance rate
IWU more selective
Illinois42.4%
IWU39.3%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Illinois higher
Illinois1310-1520
IWU1120-1340
Average net price
Illinois $14,671 less
Illinois$13,973
IWU$28,644
In-state tuition
Illinois $41,700 less
Illinois$16,004
IWU$57,704
Out-of-state tuition
Illinois $22,580 less
Illinois$35,124
IWU$57,704
Graduation rate
Illinois +0 pts
Illinois82%
IWU82%
Median earnings (10 years)
Illinois +$6,000
Illinois$66,500
IWU$60,500
Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.
Admission calculator
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Admissions
- Admission chances
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Illinois My Chances
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IWU My Chances
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- Applied
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Illinois 73,742
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IWU 9,558
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- Admitted
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Illinois 31,247
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IWU 3,757
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- Acceptance rate
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Illinois 42.4%
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IWU 39.3%
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- Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
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Illinois 28.8%
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IWU 12.3%
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- Typical SAT score
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Illinois 1420
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IWU 1230
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- Typical ACT score
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Illinois 32
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IWU 27
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- Average high school GPA
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Illinois 3.79
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IWU 3.86
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- Typical high school grades
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Illinois A-
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IWU A
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- Admissions standards
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Illinois Exceptional
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IWU Difficult
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- Applicant competition
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Illinois Low
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IWU High
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- SAT range
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Illinois 1310-1520
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IWU 1120-1340
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- ACT range
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Illinois 30-34
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IWU 25-30
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- Submit test scores
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Illinois Test optional
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IWU Test optional
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- Application deadline
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Illinois Jan 5, 2027
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IWU
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Cost
- Tuition (in state)
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Illinois $16,004
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IWU $57,704
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- Tuition (out of state)
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Illinois $35,124
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IWU $57,704
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- Room & board
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Illinois $14,522
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IWU $13,370
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- Average net price
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Illinois $13,973
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IWU $28,644
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- Average grant aid
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Illinois $19,299
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IWU $42,181
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- % receiving grant aid
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Illinois 52%
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IWU 100%
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Outcomes
- Graduation rate
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Illinois 82%
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IWU 82%
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- Median earnings (after 10 years)
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Illinois $66,500
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IWU $60,500
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- Making student loan payments
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Illinois 78%
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IWU 87%
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- Median student loan debt
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Illinois $20,500
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IWU $27,000
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- Median loan payment
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Illinois $211
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IWU $279
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Academics
- Student to faculty ratio
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Illinois 20:1
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IWU 12:1
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- Popular majors
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Illinois
- Engineering (16%)
- Business (13%)
- Social Sciences (10%)
- Communication (8%)
- Psychology (7%)
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IWU
- Business (20%)
- Social Sciences (13%)
- Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
- Psychology (8%)
- Biology (7%)
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School basics
- School
- Location
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Illinois Champaign, IL
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IWU Bloomington, IL
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- Setting
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Illinois Small City
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IWU Small City
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- Total enrollment
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Illinois 59,238
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IWU 1,582
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- Type
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Illinois Public 4 Year
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IWU Private 4 Year
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- National ranking
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Illinois #117
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IWU #157
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Comparable Facts
Compare University of Illinois Urbana Champaign in Champaign, IL with Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, IL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.
University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is larger than IWU based on total student enrollment (59,238 students vs. 1,582 students).
Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio
- University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is located in Champaign, IL (Small City setting); Illinois Wesleyan University is in Bloomington, IL (Small City setting).
- University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Illinois Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
- Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 20:1; Illinois Wesleyan University 12:1.
Cost details
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Illinois Wesleyan University are 7.9% lower than at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign ($13,370 vs. $14,522).
- Out-of-state tuition is 64.3% higher at IWU than at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (about $22,580 more per year; $57,704 vs. $35,124).
- A larger share of students receive grant aid at Illinois Wesleyan University than at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (100% vs. 52%).
- The average total grant financial aid received by Illinois Wesleyan University students is 118.6% larger than aid received by University of Illinois Urbana Champaign students ($42,181 vs. $19,299).
Admissions details
- Typical ACT composite is 5 points higher at Illinois than at IWU (32 vs. 27, midpoint estimate).
- SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Illinois and IWU.
- Typical fall application deadline: Illinois Jan 5, 2027.
- Enrolled first-year students at IWU average a 3.86 high school GPA, 0.07 higher than at Illinois (3.79).
- The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.8% at Illinois vs. 12.3% at IWU.
Loans and repayment
- Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Illinois Urbana Champaign graduates have a $6,500 lower median loan debt than IWU graduates ($20,500 vs. $27,000).
- Among borrowers, Illinois graduates have an estimated $68 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than IWU graduates ($211 vs. $279).
- More IWU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Illinois students, three years after graduation (87% vs. 78%).
Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.
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