Overview
Enrollment
Best Colleges Rank
| Location | Bloomington, Illinois |
| Online | iwu.edu |
| School Type | Private 4 Year |
| Setting | Small City |
| Size | Small |
| Status | Non-profit |
| On Campus Housing | Yes |
| Level of Study | Undergrad |
Illinois Wesleyan University is situated in Bloomington, Illinois, a mid-sized city located approximately 130 miles southwest of Chicago. Founded in 1850, the private liberal arts institution occupies a 120-acre residential campus characterized by its mix of historic and modern architecture, including the notable Presser Hall and the Hansen Student Center. The university maintains a highly selective admission process and offers programs across liberal arts, sciences, and fine arts, with particular strengths in business, nursing, and music. While predominantly undergraduate-focused, IWU provides all students with guaranteed residential housing for four years, and its NCAA Division III athletic programs compete in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin, with the Titans particularly known for their baseball program.
Ratings
Overall
Academics
Resources
Outcomes
Value
IWU is rated within the top 26% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 8 out of 10. Learn how ratings are calculated
Rankings
Rankings for Illinois Wesleyan University within the 2025 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
#158 in Best Colleges in the U.S.
#125 in Best Private Colleges in the U.S.
#5 in Best Colleges in Illinois
#4 in Best Private Colleges in Illinois
#138 in Best Value Colleges in the U.S.
#10 in Best Value Colleges in Illinois
View the CollegeSimply ranking methodology.
Getting In
Admission Standards
| SAT | 1140/1330 |
| ACT | 24/29 |
| GPA | 3.86 |
Applications Accepted
| Applications Due | - |
| Applicant Competition | Average |
| Application Fee | $0 |
Annual Cost to Attend
Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $800 |
| Other Fees | $204 |
| Room and Board | $12,930 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $1,700 |
| Total One Year Cost | $71,134 |
Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
| Subject | Percent of Class |
|---|---|
| Business | 20% |
| Social Sciences | 13% |
| Visual and Performing Arts | 8% |
| Psychology | 8% |
| Biology | 7% |
Other Colleges to Consider
Students considering IWU are frequently interested in these similar colleges.
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=145646 IPEDS survey data for Illinois Wesleyan University.
Current students may use the Illinois Wesleyan University GPA calculator to determine their current college GPA.
Last updated February 24, 2025