IWU vs. Northern Illinois

Comparable Facts

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

Northern Illinois University is larger than IWU based on total student enrollment (15,414 students vs. 1,582 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Illinois Wesleyan University is located in Bloomington, IL (Small City setting); Northern Illinois University is in Dekalb, IL (Small Suburban setting).
• Illinois Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Northern Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Illinois Wesleyan University 12:1; Northern Illinois University 15:1.

IWU vs. Northern Illinois Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, IWU or Northern Illinois? 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 Northern Illinois University than IWU ($14,243 vs. $28,644).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Illinois Wesleyan University are 5.6% lower than at Northern Illinois University ($13,370 vs. $14,160).
• Illinois Wesleyan University is 335.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Northern Illinois (about $44,456 more per year; $57,704.00 vs. $13,248.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 335.6% higher at IWU than at Northern Illinois University (about $44,456 more per year; $57,704.00 vs. $13,248.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Illinois Wesleyan University than at Northern Illinois University (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Illinois Wesleyan University students is 193.2% larger than aid received by Northern Illinois University students ($42,181 vs. $14,387).

IWU vs. Northern Illinois Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Illinois Wesleyan University (1230) is 170 points higher than at Northern Illinois (1060).
• Incoming IWU students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 22 at Northern Illinois).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois Wesleyan University 1120/1340; Northern Illinois University 940/1170.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois Wesleyan University 25/30; Northern Illinois University 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: IWU - Test optional; Northern Illinois - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Northern Illinois Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman IWU students have a 0.56 point higher average high school GPA (3.86) than students at Northern Illinois (3.3).
• Northern Illinois has a higher acceptance rate (69.8%) than IWU (39.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.3% at IWU vs. 12.1% at Northern Illinois.

IWU vs. Northern Illinois Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for IWU and Northern Illinois? 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 Northern Illinois University's (56%).
• Graduates from Illinois Wesleyan University earn a median of about $12,900 more per year than Northern Illinois graduates about ten years after starting college ($60,500 vs. $47,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northern Illinois University graduates have a $3,141 lower median loan debt than IWU graduates ($23,859 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Northern Illinois graduates have an estimated $33 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than IWU graduates ($246 vs. $279).
• More IWU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northern Illinois students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 61%)

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.