IWU vs. UC

Comparable Facts

Compare Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, IL with University of Cincinnati Main Campus in Cincinnati, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Cincinnati Main Campus is larger than IWU based on total student enrollment (45,026 students vs. 1,582 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Illinois Wesleyan University is located in Bloomington, IL (Small City setting); University of Cincinnati Main Campus is in Cincinnati, OH (Large City setting).
• Illinois Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Cincinnati Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Illinois Wesleyan University 12:1; University of Cincinnati Main Campus 19:1.

IWU vs. UC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, IWU or UC? 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 University of Cincinnati Main Campus than IWU ($24,696 vs. $28,644).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Illinois Wesleyan University are 1.4% lower than at University of Cincinnati Main Campus ($13,370 vs. $13,564).
• Illinois Wesleyan University is 312.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than UC (about $43,728 more per year; $57,704.00 vs. $13,976.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 96.9% higher at IWU than at University of Cincinnati Main Campus (about $28,394 more per year; $57,704.00 vs. $29,310.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Illinois Wesleyan University than at University of Cincinnati Main Campus (100% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Illinois Wesleyan University students is 414.7% larger than aid received by University of Cincinnati Main Campus students ($42,181 vs. $8,196).

IWU vs. UC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Cincinnati Main Campus (1270) is 40 points higher than at IWU (1230).
• Incoming IWU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 26 at UC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois Wesleyan University 1120/1340; University of Cincinnati Main Campus 1160/1370.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois Wesleyan University 25/30; University of Cincinnati Main Campus 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: IWU - Test optional; UC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman IWU students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.86) than students at UC (3.69).
• UC has a higher acceptance rate (85.3%) than IWU (39.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.3% at IWU vs. 22.5% at UC.

IWU vs. UC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for IWU and UC? 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 University of Cincinnati Main Campus's (59%).
• Graduates from Illinois Wesleyan University earn a median of about $14,900 more per year than UC graduates about ten years after starting college ($60,500 vs. $45,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Cincinnati Main Campus graduates have a $4,000 lower median loan debt than IWU graduates ($23,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, UC graduates have an estimated $42 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than IWU graduates ($237 vs. $279).
• More IWU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UC students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 57%)

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.