IWU vs. Stephens College

Comparable Facts

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

Illinois Wesleyan University is larger than Stephens College based on total student enrollment (1,582 students vs. 568 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Illinois Wesleyan University is located in Bloomington, IL (Small City setting); Stephens College is in Columbia, MO (Midsize City setting).
• Illinois Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Stephens College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Illinois Wesleyan University 12:1; Stephens College 8:1.

IWU vs. Stephens College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, IWU or Stephens 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 Stephens College than IWU ($23,194 vs. $28,644).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Stephens College are 0% lower than at Illinois Wesleyan University ($13,366 vs. $13,370).
• Illinois Wesleyan University is 103.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Stephens College (about $29,404 more per year; $57,704.00 vs. $28,300.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 103.9% higher at IWU than at Stephens College (about $29,404 more per year; $57,704.00 vs. $28,300.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Illinois Wesleyan University as at Stephens College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Illinois Wesleyan University students is 80.7% larger than aid received by Stephens College students ($42,181 vs. $23,341).

IWU vs. Stephens College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Illinois Wesleyan University (1230) is 30 points higher than at Stephens College (1200).
• Incoming IWU students have a 8 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 19 at Stephens College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois Wesleyan University 1120/1340; Stephens College 1130/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois Wesleyan University 25/30; Stephens College 16/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: IWU - Test optional; Stephens College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Stephens College Nov 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman IWU students have a 0.59 point higher average high school GPA (3.86) than students at Stephens College (3.27).
• Stephens College has a higher acceptance rate (77.2%) than IWU (39.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.3% at IWU vs. 14.6% at Stephens College.

IWU vs. Stephens College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for IWU and Stephens 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 Stephens College's (55%).
• Graduates from Illinois Wesleyan University earn a median of about $23,100 more per year than Stephens College graduates about ten years after starting college ($60,500 vs. $37,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Stephens College and IWU graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Stephens 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 Stephens College students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 63%)

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.