IWU vs. Centre College

Comparable Facts

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

Illinois Wesleyan University is larger than Centre College based on total student enrollment (1,582 students vs. 1,404 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Illinois Wesleyan University is located in Bloomington, IL (Small City setting); Centre College is in Danville, KY (Distant Town setting).
• Illinois Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Centre College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Illinois Wesleyan University 12:1; Centre College 10:1.

IWU vs. Centre College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, IWU or Centre 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 Centre College than IWU ($23,860 vs. $28,644).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Illinois Wesleyan University are 8.7% lower than at Centre College ($13,370 vs. $14,640).
• Illinois Wesleyan University is 9.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Centre College (about $4,884 more per year; $57,704.00 vs. $52,820.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 9.2% higher at IWU than at Centre College (about $4,884 more per year; $57,704.00 vs. $52,820.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Illinois Wesleyan University as at Centre College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Centre College students is 4.3% larger than aid received by Illinois Wesleyan University students ($44,015 vs. $42,181).

IWU vs. Centre College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, IWU or Centre 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 Centre College and IWU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Centre College (1310) is 80 points higher than at IWU (1230).
• Incoming Centre College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 27 at IWU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois Wesleyan University 1120/1340; Centre College 1160/1450.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois Wesleyan University 25/30; Centre College 25/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: IWU - Test optional; Centre College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Centre College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman IWU students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.86) than students at Centre College (3.62).
• Centre College has a higher acceptance rate (54.4%) than IWU (39.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.3% at IWU vs. 19.4% at Centre College.

IWU vs. Centre College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for IWU and Centre 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).

• The graduation rate at IWU is the same as at Centre College (82% vs. 82%).
• Graduates from Illinois Wesleyan University earn a median of about $8,000 more per year than Centre College graduates about ten years after starting college ($60,500 vs. $52,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Centre College and IWU graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Centre 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 Centre College students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 79%)

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.