Whittier College vs. IWU

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

Whittier College
Illinois Wesleyan University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: IWU (39.3% admitted vs 80.8%). Typical SAT 1230 vs 1240.
  • Cheaper after aid: about even. Average net price is $28,101 at Whittier College vs $28,644 at IWU. IWU in-state tuition is about $6,354 more per year.
  • Graduation: Whittier College 55% vs IWU 82%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Whittier College $47,400 vs IWU $60,500 (median).
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Key differences

Whittier College Illinois Wesleyan University
Acceptance rate
IWU more selective
Whittier College80.8%
IWU39.3%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Whittier College higher
Whittier College1140-1340
IWU1120-1340
Average net price
About even
Whittier College$28,101
IWU$28,644
In-state tuition
Whittier College $6,354 less
Whittier College$51,350
IWU$57,704
Out-of-state tuition
Whittier College $6,354 less
Whittier College$51,350
IWU$57,704
Graduation rate
IWU +27 pts
Whittier College55%
IWU82%
Median earnings (10 years)
IWU +$13,100
Whittier College$47,400
IWU$60,500

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Whittier College 4,778
  • IWU 9,558
  • Admitted
  • Whittier College 3,860
  • IWU 3,757
  • Acceptance rate
  • Whittier College 80.8%
  • IWU 39.3%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Whittier College 5.4%
  • IWU 12.3%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Whittier College 1240
  • IWU 1230
  • Typical ACT score
  • Whittier College 27
  • IWU 27
  • Average high school GPA
  • Whittier College 3.61
  • IWU 3.86
  • Typical high school grades
  • Whittier College A-
  • IWU A
  • Admissions standards
  • Whittier College Difficult
  • IWU Difficult
  • Applicant competition
  • Whittier College
  • IWU High
  • SAT range
  • Whittier College 1140-1340
  • IWU 1120-1340
  • ACT range
  • Whittier College 24-30
  • IWU 25-30
  • Submit test scores
  • Whittier College Test-free
  • IWU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Whittier College
  • IWU
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Whittier College $51,350
  • IWU $57,704
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Whittier College $51,350
  • IWU $57,704
  • Room & board
  • Whittier College $17,082
  • IWU $13,370
  • Average net price
  • Whittier College $28,101
  • IWU $28,644
  • Average grant aid
  • Whittier College $36,176
  • IWU $42,181
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Whittier College 99%
  • IWU 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • Whittier College 55%
  • IWU 82%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Whittier College $47,400
  • IWU $60,500
  • Making student loan payments
  • Whittier College 69%
  • IWU 87%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Whittier College $25,500
  • IWU $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Whittier College $263
  • IWU $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Whittier College 8:1
  • IWU 12:1
  • Popular majors
  • Whittier College
    • Social Sciences (22%)
    • Business (17%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
    • Biology (7%)
  • IWU
    • Business (20%)
    • Social Sciences (13%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • Biology (7%)
  • Location
  • Whittier College Whittier, CA
  • IWU Bloomington, IL
  • Setting
  • Whittier College Large Suburban
  • IWU Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • Whittier College 795
  • IWU 1,582
  • Type
  • Whittier College Private 4 Year
  • IWU Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Whittier College
  • IWU #157

Comparable Facts

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

Illinois Wesleyan University is larger than Whittier College based on total student enrollment (1,582 students vs. 795 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Whittier College is located in Whittier, CA (Large Suburban setting); Illinois Wesleyan University is in Bloomington, IL (Small City setting).
  • Whittier College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Illinois Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Whittier College 8:1; Illinois Wesleyan University 12:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Illinois Wesleyan University are 21.7% lower than at Whittier College ($13,370 vs. $17,082).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 12.4% higher at IWU than at Whittier College (about $6,354 more per year; $57,704 vs. $51,350).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Illinois Wesleyan University than at Whittier College (100% vs. 99%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Illinois Wesleyan University students is 16.6% larger than aid received by Whittier College students ($42,181 vs. $36,176).

Admissions details

  • Incoming Whittier College students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 27) as students at IWU (27).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test-free at Whittier College, test optional at IWU.
  • Enrolled first-year students at IWU average a 3.86 high school GPA, 0.25 higher than at Whittier College (3.61).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 5.4% at Whittier College vs. 12.3% at IWU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Whittier College graduates have a $1,500 lower median loan debt than IWU graduates ($25,500 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Whittier College graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than IWU graduates ($263 vs. $279).
  • More IWU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Whittier College students, three years after graduation (87% vs. 69%).

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

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