Blackburn College vs. Wartburg College

Comparable Facts

Compare Blackburn College in Carlinville, IL with Wartburg College in Waverly, IA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Wartburg College is larger than Blackburn College based on total student enrollment (1,483 students vs. 513 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Blackburn College is located in Carlinville, IL (Rural Fringe setting); Wartburg College is in Waverly, IA (Distant Town setting).
• Blackburn College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Wartburg College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Blackburn College 11:1; Wartburg College 13:1.

Blackburn College vs. Wartburg College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Blackburn College or Wartburg College? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Blackburn College than Wartburg College ($18,460 vs. $24,031).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Blackburn College are 15.6% lower than at Wartburg College ($9,915 vs. $11,750).
• Blackburn College is 7.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Wartburg College (about $1,899 more per year; $28,149.00 vs. $26,250.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.2% higher at Blackburn College than at Wartburg College (about $1,899 more per year; $28,149.00 vs. $26,250.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Blackburn College than at Wartburg College (100% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wartburg College students is 107.3% larger than aid received by Blackburn College students ($40,336 vs. $19,456).

Blackburn College vs. Wartburg College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Blackburn College or Wartburg College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Wartburg College and Blackburn College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wartburg College (1070) is 60 points higher than at Blackburn College (1010).
• Incoming Wartburg College students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 20 at Blackburn College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Blackburn College 888/1125; Wartburg College 930/1200.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Blackburn College 16/24; Wartburg College 21/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Blackburn College - Test-free; Wartburg College - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Wartburg College students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (3.48) than students at Blackburn College (3.23).
• Wartburg College has a higher acceptance rate (75.8%) than Blackburn College (63.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 25.7% at Blackburn College vs. 16.6% at Wartburg College.

Blackburn College vs. Wartburg College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Blackburn College and Wartburg College? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Wartburg College's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than Blackburn College's (48%).
• Graduates from Wartburg College earn a median of about $7,700 more per year than Blackburn College graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,100 vs. $40,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Blackburn College graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Wartburg College graduates ($26,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Blackburn College graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wartburg College graduates ($268 vs. $279).
• More Wartburg College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Blackburn College students, three years after graduation. (81% vs. 58%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.