IWU vs. Northwestern

Comparable Facts

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

Northwestern University is larger than IWU based on total student enrollment (23,856 students vs. 1,582 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Illinois Wesleyan University is located in Bloomington, IL (Small City setting); Northwestern University is in Evanston, IL (Small City setting).
• Illinois Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Northwestern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Illinois Wesleyan University 12:1; Northwestern University 6:1.

IWU vs. Northwestern Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, IWU or Northwestern? 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 Northwestern University than IWU ($26,830 vs. $28,644).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Illinois Wesleyan University are 36.7% lower than at Northwestern University ($13,370 vs. $21,126).
• Northwestern University is 18.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than IWU (about $10,618 more per year; $68,322.00 vs. $57,704.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 18.4% higher at Northwestern than at Illinois Wesleyan University (about $10,618 more per year; $68,322.00 vs. $57,704.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Illinois Wesleyan University than at Northwestern University (100% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northwestern University students is 52.7% larger than aid received by Illinois Wesleyan University students ($64,429 vs. $42,181).

IWU vs. Northwestern Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northwestern University (1540) is 310 points higher than at IWU (1230).
• Incoming Northwestern students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 27 at IWU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois Wesleyan University 1120/1340; Northwestern University 1510/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois Wesleyan University 25/30; Northwestern University 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: IWU - Test optional; Northwestern - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Northwestern Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Northwestern students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.92) than students at IWU (3.86).
• IWU has a higher acceptance rate (39.3%) than Northwestern (7.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.3% at IWU vs. 55.3% at Northwestern.

IWU vs. Northwestern Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for IWU and Northwestern? 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).

• Northwestern University's six-year graduation rate (94%) is higher than Illinois Wesleyan University's (82%).
• Graduates from Northwestern University earn a median of about $29,300 more per year than IWU graduates about ten years after starting college ($89,800 vs. $60,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northwestern University graduates have a $7,622 lower median loan debt than IWU graduates ($19,378 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Northwestern graduates have an estimated $79 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than IWU graduates ($200 vs. $279).
• More Northwestern graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former IWU students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 87%)

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.