IWU vs. Kalamazoo College

Comparable Facts

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

Illinois Wesleyan University is larger than Kalamazoo College based on total student enrollment (1,582 students vs. 1,166 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Illinois Wesleyan University is located in Bloomington, IL (Small City setting); Kalamazoo College is in Kalamazoo, MI (Small City setting).
• Illinois Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Kalamazoo College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Illinois Wesleyan University 12:1; Kalamazoo College 10:1.

IWU vs. Kalamazoo College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, IWU or Kalamazoo 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 Kalamazoo College than IWU ($26,956 vs. $28,644).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Kalamazoo College are 6.1% lower than at Illinois Wesleyan University ($12,549 vs. $13,370).
• Kalamazoo College is 5.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than IWU (about $3,346 more per year; $61,050.00 vs. $57,704.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.8% higher at Kalamazoo College than at Illinois Wesleyan University (about $3,346 more per year; $61,050.00 vs. $57,704.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Illinois Wesleyan University than at Kalamazoo College (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Kalamazoo College students is 12% larger than aid received by Illinois Wesleyan University students ($47,252 vs. $42,181).

IWU vs. Kalamazoo College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Kalamazoo College (1280) is 50 points higher than at IWU (1230).
• Incoming IWU students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 24 at Kalamazoo College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois Wesleyan University 1120/1340; Kalamazoo College 1170/1380.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois Wesleyan University 25/30; Kalamazoo College 20/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: IWU - Test optional; Kalamazoo College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Kalamazoo College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman IWU students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.86) than students at Kalamazoo College (3.73).
• Kalamazoo College has a higher acceptance rate (75.3%) than IWU (39.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.3% at IWU vs. 11.7% at Kalamazoo College.

IWU vs. Kalamazoo College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for IWU and Kalamazoo 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 Kalamazoo College's (80%).
• Graduates from Illinois Wesleyan University earn a median of about $6,100 more per year than Kalamazoo College graduates about ten years after starting college ($60,500 vs. $54,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Kalamazoo College graduates have a $550 lower median loan debt than IWU graduates ($26,450 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Kalamazoo College graduates have an estimated $6 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than IWU graduates ($273 vs. $279).
• More IWU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Kalamazoo College students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 81%)

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.