IWU vs. University of Illinois Springfield

Comparable Facts

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

University of Illinois Springfield is larger than IWU based on total student enrollment (4,628 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 Illinois Springfield is in Springfield, IL (Midsize City setting).
• Illinois Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Illinois Springfield is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Illinois Wesleyan University 12:1; University of Illinois Springfield 13:1.

IWU vs. University of Illinois Springfield Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, IWU or University of Illinois Springfield? 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 Illinois Springfield than IWU ($10,809 vs. $28,644).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Illinois Springfield are 8.4% lower than at Illinois Wesleyan University ($12,242 vs. $13,370).
• Illinois Wesleyan University is 371% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Illinois Springfield (about $45,452 more per year; $57,704.00 vs. $12,252.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 162.1% higher at IWU than at University of Illinois Springfield (about $35,687 more per year; $57,704.00 vs. $22,017.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Illinois Wesleyan University than at University of Illinois Springfield (100% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Illinois Wesleyan University students is 187.6% larger than aid received by University of Illinois Springfield students ($42,181 vs. $14,666).

IWU vs. University of Illinois Springfield Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, IWU or University of Illinois Springfield? 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 University of Illinois Springfield and IWU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Illinois Wesleyan University (1230) is 160 points higher than at University of Illinois Springfield (1070).
• Incoming IWU students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 24 at University of Illinois Springfield).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois Wesleyan University 1120/1340; University of Illinois Springfield 940/1200.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois Wesleyan University 25/30; University of Illinois Springfield 21/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: IWU - Test optional; University of Illinois Springfield - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman IWU students have a 0.4 point higher average high school GPA (3.86) than students at University of Illinois Springfield (3.46).
• University of Illinois Springfield has a higher acceptance rate (85.9%) than IWU (39.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.3% at IWU vs. 12.6% at University of Illinois Springfield.

IWU vs. University of Illinois Springfield Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for IWU and University of Illinois Springfield? 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 Illinois Springfield's (61%).
• Graduates from Illinois Wesleyan University earn a median of about $13,000 more per year than University of Illinois Springfield graduates about ten years after starting college ($60,500 vs. $47,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Illinois Springfield graduates have a $8,207 lower median loan debt than IWU graduates ($18,793 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, University of Illinois Springfield graduates have an estimated $85 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than IWU graduates ($194 vs. $279).
• More IWU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Illinois Springfield students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 59%)

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.