IWU vs. Benedictine College

Comparable Facts

Compare Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, IL with Benedictine College in Atchison, KS on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Benedictine College is larger than IWU based on total student enrollment (2,535 students vs. 1,582 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Illinois Wesleyan University is located in Bloomington, IL (Small City setting); Benedictine College is in Atchison, KS (Distant Town setting).
• Illinois Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Benedictine College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Illinois Wesleyan University 12:1; Benedictine College 16:1.

IWU vs. Benedictine College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, IWU or Benedictine 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 Benedictine College than IWU ($28,629 vs. $28,644).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Illinois Wesleyan University are 0.4% lower than at Benedictine College ($13,370 vs. $13,430).
• Illinois Wesleyan University is 58.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Benedictine College (about $21,354 more per year; $57,704.00 vs. $36,350.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 58.7% higher at IWU than at Benedictine College (about $21,354 more per year; $57,704.00 vs. $36,350.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Illinois Wesleyan University as at Benedictine College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Illinois Wesleyan University students is 79.3% larger than aid received by Benedictine College students ($42,181 vs. $23,527).

IWU vs. Benedictine College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, IWU or Benedictine College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Benedictine College and IWU.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Benedictine College (1260) is 30 points higher than at IWU (1230).
• Incoming IWU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (27 vs. 25 at Benedictine College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Illinois Wesleyan University 1120/1340; Benedictine College 1140/1380.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Illinois Wesleyan University 25/30; Benedictine College 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: IWU - Test optional; Benedictine College - Test optional.
• Enrolled freshman IWU students have a 0.29 point higher average high school GPA (3.86) than students at Benedictine College (3.57).
• Benedictine College has a higher acceptance rate (98.1%) than IWU (39.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.3% at IWU vs. 22.9% at Benedictine College.

IWU vs. Benedictine College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for IWU and Benedictine College? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Illinois Wesleyan University's six-year graduation rate (82%) is higher than Benedictine College's (56%).
• Graduates from Illinois Wesleyan University earn a median of about $17,900 more per year than Benedictine College graduates about ten years after starting college ($60,500 vs. $42,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Benedictine College and IWU graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Benedictine College and IWU graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More IWU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Benedictine College students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 78%)

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.