IWU vs. Carroll University

Comparable Facts

Compare Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, IL with Carroll University in Waukesha, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Carroll University is larger than IWU based on total student enrollment (3,138 students vs. 1,582 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Illinois Wesleyan University is located in Bloomington, IL (Small City setting); Carroll University is in Waukesha, WI (Small City setting).
• Illinois Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Carroll University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Illinois Wesleyan University 12:1; Carroll University 14:1.

IWU vs. Carroll University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, IWU or Carroll University? 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 Carroll University than IWU ($27,031 vs. $28,644).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Illinois Wesleyan University are 6.4% lower than at Carroll University ($13,370 vs. $14,280).
• Illinois Wesleyan University is 48.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Carroll University (about $18,814 more per year; $57,704.00 vs. $38,890.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 48.4% higher at IWU than at Carroll University (about $18,814 more per year; $57,704.00 vs. $38,890.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Illinois Wesleyan University as at Carroll University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Illinois Wesleyan University students is 64.6% larger than aid received by Carroll University students ($42,181 vs. $25,634).

IWU vs. Carroll University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, IWU or Carroll University? 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 Carroll University and IWU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Illinois Wesleyan University (1230) is 70 points higher than at Carroll University (1160).
• Incoming IWU students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 24 at Carroll University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois Wesleyan University 1120/1340; Carroll University 1040/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois Wesleyan University 25/30; Carroll University 21/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: IWU - Test optional; Carroll University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman IWU students have a 0.47 point higher average high school GPA (3.86) than students at Carroll University (3.39).
• Carroll University has a higher acceptance rate (66.8%) than IWU (39.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.3% at IWU vs. 17.5% at Carroll University.

IWU vs. Carroll University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for IWU and Carroll University? 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).

• Illinois Wesleyan University's six-year graduation rate (82%) is higher than Carroll University's (57%).
• Graduates from Illinois Wesleyan University earn a median of about $16,300 more per year than Carroll University graduates about ten years after starting college ($60,500 vs. $44,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Carroll University and IWU graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Carroll University 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 Carroll University students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 74%)

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.