IWU vs. Coe College

Comparable Facts

Compare Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, IL with Coe College in Cedar Rapids, IA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Illinois Wesleyan University is larger than Coe College based on total student enrollment (1,582 students vs. 1,195 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Illinois Wesleyan University is located in Bloomington, IL (Small City setting); Coe College is in Cedar Rapids, IA (Midsize City setting).
• Illinois Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Coe College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Illinois Wesleyan University 12:1; Coe College 11:1.

IWU vs. Coe College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, IWU or Coe 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 Coe College than IWU ($20,864 vs. $28,644).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Coe College are 11.8% lower than at Illinois Wesleyan University ($11,790 vs. $13,370).
• Illinois Wesleyan University is 5.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Coe College (about $3,038 more per year; $57,704.00 vs. $54,666.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.6% higher at IWU than at Coe College (about $3,038 more per year; $57,704.00 vs. $54,666.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Illinois Wesleyan University as at Coe College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Coe College students is 10.2% larger than aid received by Illinois Wesleyan University students ($46,468 vs. $42,181).

IWU vs. Coe College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Illinois Wesleyan University (1230) is 50 points higher than at Coe College (1180).
• Incoming IWU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 26 at Coe College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois Wesleyan University 1120/1340; Coe College 1070/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois Wesleyan University 25/30; Coe College 23/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: IWU - Test optional; Coe College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Coe College Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman IWU students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.86) than students at Coe College (3.74).
• Coe College has a higher acceptance rate (64%) than IWU (39.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.3% at IWU vs. 5.5% at Coe College.

IWU vs. Coe College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for IWU and Coe 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).

• Illinois Wesleyan University's six-year graduation rate (82%) is higher than Coe College's (69%).
• Graduates from Illinois Wesleyan University earn a median of about $12,400 more per year than Coe College graduates about ten years after starting college ($60,500 vs. $48,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Illinois Wesleyan University graduates have a $1,105 lower median loan debt than Coe College graduates ($27,000 vs. $28,105).
• Among borrowers, IWU graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Coe College graduates ($279 vs. $290).
• More IWU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Coe 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.