IWU vs. JCU

Comparable Facts

Compare Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, IL with John Carroll University in University Heights, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

John Carroll University is larger than IWU based on total student enrollment (2,864 students vs. 1,582 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Illinois Wesleyan University is located in Bloomington, IL (Small City setting); John Carroll University is in University Heights, OH (Large Suburban setting).
• Illinois Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. John Carroll University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Illinois Wesleyan University 12:1; John Carroll University 13:1.

IWU vs. JCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, IWU or JCU? 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 JCU ($28,644 vs. $30,030).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Illinois Wesleyan University are 7.9% lower than at John Carroll University ($13,370 vs. $14,520).
• Illinois Wesleyan University is 14.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than JCU (about $7,204 more per year; $57,704.00 vs. $50,500.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 14.3% higher at IWU than at John Carroll University (about $7,204 more per year; $57,704.00 vs. $50,500.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Illinois Wesleyan University as at John Carroll University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Illinois Wesleyan University students is 17.9% larger than aid received by John Carroll University students ($42,181 vs. $35,785).

IWU vs. JCU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, IWU or JCU? 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 JCU and IWU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at John Carroll University (1260) is 30 points higher than at IWU (1230).
• Incoming JCU 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; John Carroll University 1180/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois Wesleyan University 25/30; John Carroll University 25/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: IWU - Test optional; JCU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman IWU students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.86) than students at JCU (3.66).
• JCU has a higher acceptance rate (80.9%) than IWU (39.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.3% at IWU vs. 15.9% at JCU.

IWU vs. JCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for IWU and JCU? 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 John Carroll University's (71%).
• Graduates from Illinois Wesleyan University earn a median of about $2,900 more per year than JCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($60,500 vs. $57,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, John Carroll University graduates have a $61 lower median loan debt than IWU graduates ($26,939 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, JCU graduates have an estimated $1 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than IWU graduates ($278 vs. $279).
• More IWU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former JCU 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.