IWU vs. Luther- Norse

Comparable Facts

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

Illinois Wesleyan University is larger than Luther- Norse based on total student enrollment (1,582 students vs. 1,384 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

IWU vs. Luther- Norse Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, IWU or Luther- Norse? 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 Luther College than IWU ($24,511 vs. $28,644).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Luther College are 13.8% lower than at Illinois Wesleyan University ($11,530 vs. $13,370).
• Illinois Wesleyan University is 10.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Luther- Norse (about $5,584 more per year; $57,704.00 vs. $52,120.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 10.7% higher at IWU than at Luther College (about $5,584 more per year; $57,704.00 vs. $52,120.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Illinois Wesleyan University as at Luther College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Illinois Wesleyan University students is 3.1% larger than aid received by Luther College students ($42,181 vs. $40,917).

IWU vs. Luther- Norse Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, IWU or Luther- Norse? 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 Luther- Norse and IWU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Luther College (1240) is 10 points higher than at IWU (1230).
• Incoming IWU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 25 at Luther- Norse).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois Wesleyan University 1120/1340; Luther College 1078/1406.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois Wesleyan University 25/30; Luther College 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: IWU - Test optional; Luther- Norse - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman IWU students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.86) than students at Luther- Norse (3.65).
• Luther- Norse has a higher acceptance rate (71.5%) than IWU (39.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.3% at IWU vs. 19.9% at Luther- Norse.

IWU vs. Luther- Norse Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for IWU and Luther- Norse? 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 Luther College's (69%).
• Graduates from Illinois Wesleyan University earn a median of about $10,500 more per year than Luther- Norse graduates about ten years after starting college ($60,500 vs. $50,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Luther College and IWU graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Luther 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 Luther- Norse 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.