IWU vs. Simpson College

Comparable Facts

Compare Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, IL with Simpson College in Indianola, IA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Illinois Wesleyan University is larger than Simpson College based on total student enrollment (1,582 students vs. 1,251 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

IWU vs. Simpson College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, IWU or Simpson 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 Simpson College than IWU ($23,282 vs. $28,644).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Simpson College are 21.5% lower than at Illinois Wesleyan University ($10,500 vs. $13,370).
• Illinois Wesleyan University is 21.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Simpson College (about $10,048 more per year; $57,704.00 vs. $47,656.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 21.1% higher at IWU than at Simpson College (about $10,048 more per year; $57,704.00 vs. $47,656.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Illinois Wesleyan University as at Simpson College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Illinois Wesleyan University students is 11.3% larger than aid received by Simpson College students ($42,181 vs. $37,896).

IWU vs. Simpson College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Illinois Wesleyan University (1230) is 140 points higher than at Simpson College (1090).
• Incoming IWU students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 23 at Simpson College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois Wesleyan University 1120/1340; Simpson College 890/1280.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois Wesleyan University 25/30; Simpson College 20/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: IWU - Test optional; Simpson College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Simpson College Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman IWU students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.86) than students at Simpson College (3.62).
• Simpson College has a higher acceptance rate (86.2%) than IWU (39.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.3% at IWU vs. 21.6% at Simpson College.

IWU vs. Simpson College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for IWU and Simpson 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 Simpson College's (69%).
• Graduates from Illinois Wesleyan University earn a median of about $12,500 more per year than Simpson College graduates about ten years after starting college ($60,500 vs. $48,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Simpson College and IWU graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Simpson College 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 Simpson College students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 77%)

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.