IWU vs. Michigan State

Comparable Facts

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

Michigan State University is larger than IWU based on total student enrollment (52,089 students vs. 1,582 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Illinois Wesleyan University is located in Bloomington, IL (Small City setting); Michigan State University is in East Lansing, MI (Rural Fringe setting).
• Illinois Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Michigan State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Illinois Wesleyan University 12:1; Michigan State University 17:1.

IWU vs. Michigan State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, IWU or Michigan State? 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 Michigan State University than IWU ($23,657 vs. $28,644).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Michigan State University are 6% lower than at Illinois Wesleyan University ($12,564 vs. $13,370).
• Illinois Wesleyan University is 250.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Michigan State (about $41,246 more per year; $57,704.00 vs. $16,458.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 31.6% higher at IWU than at Michigan State University (about $13,862 more per year; $57,704.00 vs. $43,842.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Illinois Wesleyan University than at Michigan State University (100% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Illinois Wesleyan University students is 332.6% larger than aid received by Michigan State University students ($42,181 vs. $9,750).

IWU vs. Michigan State Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Michigan State University (1270) is 40 points higher than at IWU (1230).
• Incoming Michigan State 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; Michigan State University 1180/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois Wesleyan University 25/30; Michigan State University 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: IWU - Test optional; Michigan State - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman IWU students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.86) than students at Michigan State (3.72).
• Michigan State has a higher acceptance rate (84.8%) than IWU (39.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.3% at IWU vs. 18.3% at Michigan State.

IWU vs. Michigan State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for IWU and Michigan State? 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 Michigan State University's (77%).
• Graduates from Illinois Wesleyan University earn a median of about $500 more per year than Michigan State graduates about ten years after starting college ($60,500 vs. $60,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Michigan State University graduates have a $1,516 lower median loan debt than IWU graduates ($25,484 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Michigan State graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than IWU graduates ($263 vs. $279).
• More IWU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Michigan State students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 68%)

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.