IWU vs. Hope College

Comparable Facts

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

Hope College is larger than IWU based on total student enrollment (3,395 students vs. 1,582 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Illinois Wesleyan University is located in Bloomington, IL (Small City setting); Hope College is in Holland, MI (Small City setting).
• Illinois Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Hope College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Illinois Wesleyan University 12:1; Hope College 9:1.

IWU vs. Hope College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, IWU or Hope 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 Illinois Wesleyan University than Hope College ($28,644 vs. $30,700).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Hope College are 3.1% lower than at Illinois Wesleyan University ($12,950 vs. $13,370).
• Illinois Wesleyan University is 37.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Hope College (about $15,734 more per year; $57,704.00 vs. $41,970.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 37.5% higher at IWU than at Hope College (about $15,734 more per year; $57,704.00 vs. $41,970.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Illinois Wesleyan University than at Hope College (100% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Illinois Wesleyan University students is 69.1% larger than aid received by Hope College students ($42,181 vs. $24,945).

IWU vs. Hope College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Illinois Wesleyan University (1230) is 10 points higher than at Hope College (1220).
• Incoming Hope 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; Hope College 1100/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois Wesleyan University 25/30; Hope College 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: IWU - Test optional; Hope College - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman IWU students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.86) than students at Hope College (3.83).
• Hope College has a higher acceptance rate (79.2%) than IWU (39.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.3% at IWU vs. 20.1% at Hope College.

IWU vs. Hope College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for IWU and Hope 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 Hope College's (79%).
• Graduates from Illinois Wesleyan University earn a median of about $13,000 more per year than Hope College graduates about ten years after starting college ($60,500 vs. $47,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Hope College and IWU graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Hope 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 Hope College students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 82%)

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.