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ISU Kentucky Bradley University of Toledo Eastern Illinois Murray State University Wooster Loyola DePauw WKU Lawrence| Illinois Wesleyan University | Northern Kentucky University | College 3 | College 4 | |
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| Remove | Remove | +Add | +Add | |
Overview |
IWU | NKU | ||
| Location | Bloomington, IL | Highland Heights, KY | ||
| Setting | Small City | Large Suburban | ||
| Enrollment | 1,527 | 15,801 | ||
| Type | Private 4 Year | Public 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #144 | #805 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | - | - | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | iwu.edu | nku.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
IWU | NKU | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $53,610 | $10,208 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition (Out of State) | $53,610 | $20,464 | ||
| Room & Board | $12,418 | $11,248 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $30,096 | $7,259 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $36,614 | $11,275 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 100% | 100% |
Admission |
IWU | NKU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 4,408 | 6,905 | ||
| Admitted | 1,861 | 5,939 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 42.2% | 86% | ||
| Enrolled % | 20.5% | 27.6% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.86 | 3.42 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | A- | B+ | ||
| Admissions Standards | Difficult | Average | ||
| Applicant Competition | Low | |||
| ACT Range | 25/30 | 19/25 | ||
| SAT Range | 1120/1330 | 1030/1290 | ||
| 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 | Aug 15, 2025 |
Academics |
IWU | NKU | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 11:1 | 17:1 | ||
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Outcomes |
IWU | NKU | ||
| Graduation Rate | 82% | 37% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $60,500 | $39,700 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 87% | 53% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $27,000 | $24,950 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $279 | $257 |
Diversity |
IWU | NKU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 51% | 36% | ||
| % Women | 49% | 64% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Low | Very Low | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 71% | 82% | ||
| % Black | 4% | 7% | ||
| % Hispanic | 7% | 3% | ||
| % Native American | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 3% | 2% | ||
| % International | 9% | 3% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 2% | 1% |
Students |
IWU | NKU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 77% | 66% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 14% | 26% | ||
Campus |
IWU | NKU | ||
| 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
- Northern Kentucky University is larger than than IWU based on total student enrollment (15,801 students vs. 1,527 students)
IWU vs. NKU Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, IWU or NKU?
- Illinois Wesleyan University is 425.2% more expensive to attend than NKU for in-state tuition ($53,610.00 vs. $10,208.00)
- Out of state tuition is 162% higher at IWU than Northern Kentucky University ($53,610.00 vs. $20,464.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Kentucky University than IWU ($7,259 vs. $30,096)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern Kentucky University are 10.4% lower than costs at Illinois Wesleyan University ($11,248 vs. $12,418)
- The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Illinois Wesleyan University as Northern Kentucky University (100% vs. 100%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Illinois Wesleyan University students is 224.7% larger than aid received Northern Kentucky University ($36,614 vs. $11,275)
IWU vs. NKU Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, IWU or NKU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between NKU or IWU .
- The average SAT score at Illinois Wesleyan University (1249) is 181 points higher than at NKU (1068)
- Incoming IWU students have a 5 point higher average ACT score (28) than students at NKU (23)
- Accepted freshman IWU students have a 0.44 point higher average high school GPA (3.86) than students at NKU (3.42)
- NKU has a higher acceptance rate (86%) than IWU (42.2%)
IWU vs. NKU Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, IWU or NKU? 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 NKU and IWU.
- The graduation rate at IWU is higher than Northern Kentucky University (82% vs. 37%)
- Graduates from Illinois Wesleyan University earn on average $20,800 more per year than NKU graduates after ten years. ($60,500 vs. $39,700)
- Northern Kentucky University students graduate with a $2,050 lower median federal student loan debt than IWU graduates. ($24,950 vs. $27,000)
- NKU graduates are paying $22 less per month on federal student loans than IWU graduates. ($257 vs. $279)
- More IWU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NKU students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 53%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/