IWU vs. NKU

Should I go to Illinois Wesleyan University or Northern Kentucky University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if IWU or NKU 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. Northern Kentucky University comparison
Illinois Wesleyan University Northern Kentucky University College 3 College 4
Illinois Wesleyan University Northern Kentucky University
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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
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 (26%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)

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/