IWU vs. Otterbein University

Should I go to Illinois Wesleyan University or Otterbein University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if IWU or Otterbein University 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.

Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

ISU Bradley Ohio State Illinois Wooster Loyola ONU DePauw Capital University Lawrence Saint Louis University-Main Campus Wheaton College
Illinois Wesleyan University vs. Otterbein University comparison
Illinois Wesleyan University Otterbein University College 3 College 4
Illinois Wesleyan University Otterbein University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

IWU Otterbein University
Location Bloomington, IL Westerville, OH
Setting Small City Large Suburban
Enrollment 1,527 2,458
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #144 #542
Religious Affiliation - United Methodist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website iwu.edu otterbein.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

IWU Otterbein University
Tuition (In State) $53,610 $33,824
Tuition (Out of State) $53,610 $33,824
Room & Board $12,418 $11,988
Avg Net Price $30,096 $22,661
Avg Grant Aid $36,614 $24,060
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

IWU Otterbein University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 4,408 3,762
Admitted 1,861 3,148
Acceptance Rate 42.2% 83.7%
Enrolled % 20.5% 17.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.86 3.66
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Difficult Average
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 25/30 20/27
SAT Range 1120/1330 1035/1260
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

Academics

IWU Otterbein University
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (20%)
  • Social Sciences (13%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • Biology (7%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (15%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Health Professions (13%)
  • Communication (12%)
  • Education (11%)

Outcomes

IWU Otterbein University
Graduation Rate 82% 62%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $60,500 $44,800
Making Student Loan Payments 87% 69%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $279 $279

Diversity

IWU Otterbein University
% Men 51% 39%
% Women 49% 61%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 71% 76%
% Black 4% 6%
% Hispanic 7% 2%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 4%
% International 9% 1%
% Unknown Race 2% 10%

Students

IWU Otterbein University
% In-State 77% 88%
% Out-of-State 14% 12%

Campus

IWU Otterbein University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Otterbein University is larger than than IWU based on total student enrollment (2,458 students vs. 1,527 students)

IWU vs. Otterbein University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, IWU or Otterbein University?

  • Illinois Wesleyan University is 58.5% more expensive to attend than Otterbein University for in-state tuition ($53,610.00 vs. $33,824.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 58.5% higher at IWU than Otterbein University ($53,610.00 vs. $33,824.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Otterbein University than IWU ($22,661 vs. $30,096)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Otterbein University are 3.6% lower than costs at Illinois Wesleyan University ($11,988 vs. $12,418)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Illinois Wesleyan University as Otterbein University (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Illinois Wesleyan University students is 52.2% larger than aid received Otterbein University ($36,614 vs. $24,060)

IWU vs. Otterbein University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, IWU or Otterbein University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Otterbein University or IWU .

  • The average SAT score at Illinois Wesleyan University (1249) is 129 points higher than at Otterbein University (1120)
  • Incoming IWU students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (28) than students at Otterbein University (25)
  • Accepted freshman IWU students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.86) than students at Otterbein University (3.66)
  • Otterbein University has a higher acceptance rate (83.7%) than IWU (42.2%)

IWU vs. Otterbein University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, IWU or Otterbein University? 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 Otterbein University and IWU.

  • The graduation rate at IWU is higher than Otterbein University (82% vs. 62%)
  • Graduates from Illinois Wesleyan University earn on average $15,700 more per year than Otterbein University graduates after ten years. ($60,500 vs. $44,800)
  • Otterbein University and IWU graduates both have the same median student loan debt upon graduation ($27,000 vs. $27,000)
  • Otterbein University and IWU graduates both have a median monthly student loan payment upon graduation ($279 vs. $279)
  • More IWU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Otterbein University students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 69%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/