IWU vs. Transylvania University

Comparable Facts

Compare Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, IL with Transylvania University in Lexington, KY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Illinois Wesleyan University is larger than Transylvania University based on total student enrollment (1,582 students vs. 1,006 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Illinois Wesleyan University is located in Bloomington, IL (Small City setting); Transylvania University is in Lexington, KY (Large City setting).
• Illinois Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Transylvania University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Illinois Wesleyan University 12:1; Transylvania University 10:1.

IWU vs. Transylvania University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, IWU or Transylvania University? 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 Transylvania University than IWU ($25,442 vs. $28,644).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Illinois Wesleyan University are 9% lower than at Transylvania University ($13,370 vs. $14,697).
• Illinois Wesleyan University is 23.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Transylvania University (about $10,834 more per year; $57,704.00 vs. $46,870.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 23.1% higher at IWU than at Transylvania University (about $10,834 more per year; $57,704.00 vs. $46,870.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Illinois Wesleyan University as at Transylvania University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Illinois Wesleyan University students is 17.5% larger than aid received by Transylvania University students ($42,181 vs. $35,903).

IWU vs. Transylvania University Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Transylvania University (1250) is 20 points higher than at IWU (1230).
• Incoming IWU students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 27) as students at Transylvania University (27).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois Wesleyan University 1120/1340; Transylvania University 1120/1380.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois Wesleyan University 25/30; Transylvania University 24/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: IWU - Test optional; Transylvania University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Transylvania University Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman IWU students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.86) than students at Transylvania University (3.77).
• Transylvania University has a higher acceptance rate (86.5%) than IWU (39.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.3% at IWU vs. 16.3% at Transylvania University.

IWU vs. Transylvania University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for IWU and Transylvania University? 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 Transylvania University's (70%).
• Graduates from Illinois Wesleyan University earn a median of about $11,800 more per year than Transylvania University graduates about ten years after starting college ($60,500 vs. $48,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Transylvania University and IWU graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Transylvania 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 Transylvania University students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 75%)

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.