IWU vs. Rust College

Comparable Facts

Compare Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, IL with Rust College in Holly Springs, MS on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Illinois Wesleyan University is larger than Rust College based on total student enrollment (1,582 students vs. 467 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Illinois Wesleyan University is located in Bloomington, IL (Small City setting); Rust College is in Holly Springs, MS (Distant Town setting).
• Illinois Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Rust College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Illinois Wesleyan University 12:1; Rust College 10:1.

IWU vs. Rust College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, IWU or Rust College? 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 Rust College than IWU ($12,037 vs. $28,644).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rust College are 53.5% lower than at Illinois Wesleyan University ($6,217 vs. $13,370).
• Illinois Wesleyan University is 335% more expensive for in-state tuition than Rust College (about $44,439 more per year; $57,704.00 vs. $13,265.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 335% higher at IWU than at Rust College (about $44,439 more per year; $57,704.00 vs. $13,265.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Illinois Wesleyan University than at Rust College (100% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Illinois Wesleyan University students is 283.7% larger than aid received by Rust College students ($42,181 vs. $10,993).

IWU vs. Rust College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Illinois Wesleyan University (1230) is 340 points higher than at Rust College (890).
• Incoming IWU students have a 10 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 17 at Rust College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois Wesleyan University 1120/1340; Rust College 440/1339.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois Wesleyan University 25/30; Rust College 17/18.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: IWU - Test optional; Rust College - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman IWU students have a 1.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.86) than students at Rust College (2.66).
• Rust College has a higher acceptance rate (48.7%) than IWU (39.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.3% at IWU vs. 6.4% at Rust College.

IWU vs. Rust College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for IWU and Rust College? 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 Rust College's (28%).
• Graduates from Illinois Wesleyan University earn a median of about $35,400 more per year than Rust College graduates about ten years after starting college ($60,500 vs. $25,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Illinois Wesleyan University graduates have a $837 lower median loan debt than Rust College graduates ($27,000 vs. $27,837).
• Among borrowers, IWU graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Rust College graduates ($279 vs. $287).
• More IWU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Rust College students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 21%)

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.