IWU vs. Elms College

Comparable Facts

Compare Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, IL with College of Our Lady of the Elms in Chicopee, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Illinois Wesleyan University is larger than Elms College based on total student enrollment (1,582 students vs. 1,268 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Illinois Wesleyan University is located in Bloomington, IL (Small City setting); College of Our Lady of the Elms is in Chicopee, MA (Large Suburban setting).
• Illinois Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. College of Our Lady of the Elms is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Illinois Wesleyan University 12:1; College of Our Lady of the Elms 11:1.

IWU vs. Elms College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, IWU or Elms 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 College of Our Lady of the Elms than IWU ($19,870 vs. $28,644).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Illinois Wesleyan University are 14.3% lower than at College of Our Lady of the Elms ($13,370 vs. $15,605).
• Illinois Wesleyan University is 33.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Elms College (about $14,379 more per year; $57,704.00 vs. $43,325.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 33.2% higher at IWU than at College of Our Lady of the Elms (about $14,379 more per year; $57,704.00 vs. $43,325.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Illinois Wesleyan University as at College of Our Lady of the Elms (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Illinois Wesleyan University students is 24.8% larger than aid received by College of Our Lady of the Elms students ($42,181 vs. $33,794).

IWU vs. Elms College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at College of Our Lady of the Elms (1240) is 10 points higher than at IWU (1230).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois Wesleyan University 1120/1340; College of Our Lady of the Elms 1150/1320.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois Wesleyan University 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: IWU - Test optional; Elms College - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman IWU students have a 0.44 point higher average high school GPA (3.86) than students at Elms College (3.42).
• Elms College has a higher acceptance rate (85.3%) than IWU (39.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.3% at IWU vs. 10.9% at Elms College.

IWU vs. Elms College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for IWU and Elms 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 College of Our Lady of the Elms's (58%).
• Graduates from Illinois Wesleyan University earn a median of about $14,200 more per year than Elms College graduates about ten years after starting college ($60,500 vs. $46,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, College of Our Lady of the Elms graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than IWU graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Elms College graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than IWU graduates ($258 vs. $279).
• More IWU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Elms College students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 61%)

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.