IWU vs. Cornell College

Comparable Facts

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

Illinois Wesleyan University is larger than Cornell College based on total student enrollment (1,582 students vs. 1,094 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Illinois Wesleyan University is located in Bloomington, IL (Small City setting); Cornell College is in Mount Vernon, IA (Distant Town setting).
• Illinois Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Cornell College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Illinois Wesleyan University 12:1; Cornell College 14:1.

IWU vs. Cornell College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, IWU or Cornell 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 Cornell College than IWU ($25,220 vs. $28,644).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cornell College are 11.4% lower than at Illinois Wesleyan University ($11,850 vs. $13,370).
• Illinois Wesleyan University is 9.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cornell College (about $5,044 more per year; $57,704.00 vs. $52,660.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 9.6% higher at IWU than at Cornell College (about $5,044 more per year; $57,704.00 vs. $52,660.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Illinois Wesleyan University as at Cornell College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Illinois Wesleyan University students is 2.7% larger than aid received by Cornell College students ($42,181 vs. $41,092).

IWU vs. Cornell College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Illinois Wesleyan University (1230) is 30 points higher than at Cornell College (1200).
• Incoming IWU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 26 at Cornell College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois Wesleyan University 1120/1340; Cornell College 1120/1285.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois Wesleyan University 25/30; Cornell College 23/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: IWU - Test optional; Cornell College - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman IWU students have a 0.33 point higher average high school GPA (3.86) than students at Cornell College (3.53).
• Cornell College has a higher acceptance rate (79.9%) than IWU (39.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.3% at IWU vs. 14.3% at Cornell College.

IWU vs. Cornell College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for IWU and Cornell 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 Cornell College's (70%).
• Graduates from Illinois Wesleyan University earn a median of about $15,100 more per year than Cornell College graduates about ten years after starting college ($60,500 vs. $45,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Cornell College and IWU graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Cornell 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 Cornell College 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.