IWU vs. ONU

Comparable Facts

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

Ohio Northern University is larger than IWU based on total student enrollment (3,140 students vs. 1,582 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Illinois Wesleyan University is located in Bloomington, IL (Small City setting); Ohio Northern University is in Ada, OH (Distant Town setting).
• Illinois Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Ohio Northern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Illinois Wesleyan University 12:1; Ohio Northern University 13:1.

IWU vs. ONU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, IWU or ONU? 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 Ohio Northern University than IWU ($25,941 vs. $28,644).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Illinois Wesleyan University are 8.4% lower than at Ohio Northern University ($13,370 vs. $14,604).
• Illinois Wesleyan University is 45% more expensive for in-state tuition than ONU (about $17,904 more per year; $57,704.00 vs. $39,800.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 45% higher at IWU than at Ohio Northern University (about $17,904 more per year; $57,704.00 vs. $39,800.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Illinois Wesleyan University than at Ohio Northern University (100% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Illinois Wesleyan University students is 52.3% larger than aid received by Ohio Northern University students ($42,181 vs. $27,696).

IWU vs. ONU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Ohio Northern University (1290) is 60 points higher than at IWU (1230).
• Incoming IWU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 26 at ONU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois Wesleyan University 1120/1340; Ohio Northern University 1175/1400.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois Wesleyan University 25/30; Ohio Northern University 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: IWU - Test optional; ONU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: ONU Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman IWU students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.86) than students at ONU (3.78).
• ONU has a higher acceptance rate (74.4%) than IWU (39.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.3% at IWU vs. 19.9% at ONU.

IWU vs. ONU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for IWU and ONU? 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 Ohio Northern University's (65%).
• Graduates from Ohio Northern University earn a median of about $10,700 more per year than IWU graduates about ten years after starting college ($71,200 vs. $60,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Ohio Northern University and IWU graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Ohio Northern University and IWU graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More IWU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ONU students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 82%)

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.