Colorado College vs. Wheaton College

Comparable Facts

Compare Colorado College in Colorado Springs, CO with Wheaton College in Wheaton, IL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Wheaton College is larger than Colorado College based on total student enrollment (2,874 students vs. 2,056 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Colorado College is located in Colorado Springs, CO (Large City setting); Wheaton College is in Wheaton, IL (Large Suburban setting).
• Colorado College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Wheaton College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Colorado College 9:1; Wheaton College 10:1.

Colorado College vs. Wheaton College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colorado College or Wheaton 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 Wheaton College than Colorado College ($31,356 vs. $36,123).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wheaton College are 18.8% lower than at Colorado College ($13,010 vs. $16,020).
• Colorado College is 55.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Wheaton College (about $25,188 more per year; $70,734.00 vs. $45,546.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 55.3% higher at Colorado College than at Wheaton College (about $25,188 more per year; $70,734.00 vs. $45,546.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wheaton College than at Colorado College (98% vs. 56%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Colorado College students is 81.6% larger than aid received by Wheaton College students ($50,834 vs. $27,987).

Colorado College vs. Wheaton College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Colorado College or Wheaton 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 Wheaton College and Colorado College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wheaton College (1370) is 20 points higher than at Colorado College (1350).
• Incoming Colorado College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 30 at Wheaton College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colorado College 1230/1460; Wheaton College 1260/1470.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colorado College 29/33; Wheaton College 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Colorado College - Test optional; Wheaton College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Colorado College Jan 15, 2027; Wheaton College Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Colorado College students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.98) than students at Wheaton College (3.75).
• Wheaton College has a higher acceptance rate (87.4%) than Colorado College (18.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.3% at Colorado College vs. 29.9% at Wheaton College.

Colorado College vs. Wheaton College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Colorado College and Wheaton 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).

• Colorado College's six-year graduation rate (88%) is higher than Wheaton College's (87%).
• Graduates from Wheaton College earn a median of about $8,300 more per year than Colorado College graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,300 vs. $46,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Colorado College graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than Wheaton College graduates ($20,500 vs. $22,500).
• Among borrowers, Colorado College graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wheaton College graduates ($211 vs. $232).
• More Wheaton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Colorado College students, three years after graduation. (90% vs. 88%)

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.