IWU vs. IUPUI

Should I go to Illinois Wesleyan University or Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if IWU or IUPUI is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.
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Illinois Wesleyan University vs. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis comparison
Illinois Wesleyan University Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis College 3 College 4
Illinois Wesleyan University Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis
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Overview

 IWU IUPUI
Location Bloomington, IL Indianapolis, IN
Setting Small City Large City
Enrollment 1,527 25,979
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #144 #482
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website iwu.edu iupui.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 IWU IUPUI
Tuition (In State) $53,610 $8,972
Tuition (Out of State) $53,610 $31,410
Room & Board $12,418 $11,252
Avg Net Price $30,096 $11,462
Avg Grant Aid $36,614 $12,201
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 83%

Admission

 IWU IUPUI
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 4,408 15,637
Admitted 1,861 12,961
Acceptance Rate 42.2% 82.9%
Enrolled % 20.5% 27.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.86 3.52
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Difficult Average
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 25/30 21/27
SAT Range 1120/1330 1050/1250
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline May 15, 2025

Academics

 IWU IUPUI
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (20%)
  • Social Sciences (13%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • Biology (7%)
  • Health Professions (18%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (13%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Engineering Technology (5%)

Outcomes

 IWU IUPUI
Graduation Rate 82% 33%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $60,500 $48,600
Making Student Loan Payments 87% 53%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $23,090
Median Loan Payment $279 $238

Diversity

 IWU IUPUI
% Men 51% 40%
% Women 49% 60%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 71% 72%
% Black 4% 10%
% Hispanic 7% 6%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 4%
% International 9% 4%
% Unknown Race 2% 1%

Students

 IWU IUPUI
% In-State 77% 91%
% Out-of-State 14% 7%

Campus

 IWU IUPUI
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is larger than than IWU based on total student enrollment (25,979 students vs. 1,527 students)

IWU vs. IUPUI Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, IWU or IUPUI?

  • Illinois Wesleyan University is 497.5% more expensive to attend than IUPUI for in-state tuition ($53,610.00 vs. $8,972.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 70.7% higher at IWU than Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis ($53,610.00 vs. $31,410.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis than IWU ($11,462 vs. $30,096)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis are 10.4% lower than costs at Illinois Wesleyan University ($11,252 vs. $12,418)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Illinois Wesleyan University than Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis (100% vs. 83%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Illinois Wesleyan University students is 200.1% larger than aid received Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis ($36,614 vs. $12,201)

IWU vs. IUPUI Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, IWU or IUPUI? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between IUPUI or IWU .

  • The average SAT score at Illinois Wesleyan University (1249) is 235 points higher than at IUPUI (1014)
  • Incoming IWU students have a 6 point higher average ACT score (28) than students at IUPUI (22)
  • Accepted freshman IWU students have a 0.34 point higher average high school GPA (3.86) than students at IUPUI (3.52)
  • IUPUI has a higher acceptance rate (82.9%) than IWU (42.2%)

IWU vs. IUPUI Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, IWU or IUPUI? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between IUPUI and IWU.

  • The graduation rate at IWU is higher than Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis (82% vs. 33%)
  • Graduates from Illinois Wesleyan University earn on average $11,900 more per year than IUPUI graduates after ten years. ($60,500 vs. $48,600)
  • Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis students graduate with a $3,910 lower median federal student loan debt than IWU graduates. ($23,090 vs. $27,000)
  • IUPUI graduates are paying $41 less per month on federal student loans than IWU graduates. ($238 vs. $279)
  • More IWU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former IUPUI students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 53%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/