IWU vs. Michigan State

Should I go to Illinois Wesleyan University or Michigan State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if IWU or Michigan State 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. Michigan State University comparison
Illinois Wesleyan University Michigan State University College 3 College 4
Illinois Wesleyan University Michigan State University
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Overview

IWU Michigan State
Location Bloomington, IL East Lansing, MI
Setting Small City Rural Fringe
Enrollment 1,527 50,023
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #144 #240
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website iwu.edu msu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

IWU Michigan State
Tuition (In State) $53,610 $15,192
Tuition (Out of State) $53,610 $41,778
Room & Board $12,418 $10,990
Avg Net Price $30,096 $22,803
Avg Grant Aid $36,614 $8,684
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 92%

Admission

IWU Michigan State
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 4,408 53,341
Admitted 1,861 46,914
Acceptance Rate 42.2% 88%
Enrolled % 20.5% 21%
Avg High School GPA 3.86 3.72
Typical High School Grades A- A-
Admissions Standards Difficult Very High
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 25/30 25/31
SAT Range 1120/1330 1160/1360
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

Academics

IWU Michigan State
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (20%)
  • Social Sciences (13%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • Biology (7%)
  • Business (17%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • Communication (11%)
  • Biology (9%)
  • Health Professions (6%)

Outcomes

IWU Michigan State
Graduation Rate 82% 77%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $60,500 $60,000
Making Student Loan Payments 87% 68%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $25,484
Median Loan Payment $279 $263

Diversity

IWU Michigan State
% Men 51% 47%
% Women 49% 53%
Racial Diversity Low Medium
HBCU No No
% White 71% 67%
% Black 4% 7%
% Hispanic 7% 4%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 9% 13%
% Unknown Race 2% 1%

Students

IWU Michigan State
% In-State 77% 71%
% Out-of-State 14% 21%

Campus

IWU Michigan State
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

  • Michigan State University is larger than than IWU based on total student enrollment (50,023 students vs. 1,527 students)

IWU vs. Michigan State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, IWU or Michigan State?

  • Illinois Wesleyan University is 252.9% more expensive to attend than Michigan State for in-state tuition ($53,610.00 vs. $15,192.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 28.3% higher at IWU than Michigan State University ($53,610.00 vs. $41,778.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Michigan State University than IWU ($22,803 vs. $30,096)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Michigan State University are 13% lower than costs at Illinois Wesleyan University ($10,990 vs. $12,418)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Illinois Wesleyan University than Michigan State University (100% vs. 92%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Illinois Wesleyan University students is 321.6% larger than aid received Michigan State University ($36,614 vs. $8,684)

IWU vs. Michigan State Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Illinois Wesleyan University (1249) is 90 points higher than at Michigan State (1159)
  • Incoming IWU students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (28) than students at Michigan State (26)
  • 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 (88%) than IWU (42.2%)

IWU vs. Michigan State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, IWU or Michigan State? 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 Michigan State and IWU.

  • The graduation rate at IWU is higher than Michigan State University (82% vs. 77%)
  • Graduates from Illinois Wesleyan University earn on average $500 more per year than Michigan State graduates after ten years. ($60,500 vs. $60,000)
  • Michigan State University students graduate with a $1,516 lower median federal student loan debt than IWU graduates. ($25,484 vs. $27,000)
  • Michigan State graduates are paying $16 less per month on federal student loans 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/