IWU vs. Iowa

Comparable Facts

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

University of Iowa is larger than IWU based on total student enrollment (30,779 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 Iowa is in Iowa City, IA (Small City setting).
• Illinois Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Iowa is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Illinois Wesleyan University 12:1; University of Iowa 16:1.

IWU vs. Iowa Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, IWU or Iowa? 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 Iowa than IWU ($21,765 vs. $28,644).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Iowa are 3.4% lower than at Illinois Wesleyan University ($12,920 vs. $13,370).
• Illinois Wesleyan University is 411.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Iowa (about $46,421 more per year; $57,704.00 vs. $11,283.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 72.9% higher at IWU than at University of Iowa (about $24,333 more per year; $57,704.00 vs. $33,371.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Illinois Wesleyan University than at University of Iowa (100% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Illinois Wesleyan University students is 327.6% larger than aid received by University of Iowa students ($42,181 vs. $9,865).

IWU vs. Iowa Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Illinois Wesleyan University (1230) is the same as at Iowa (1230).
• Incoming IWU students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 24 at Iowa).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois Wesleyan University 1120/1340; University of Iowa 1130/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois Wesleyan University 25/30; University of Iowa 21/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: IWU - Test optional; Iowa - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Iowa May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman IWU students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.86) than students at Iowa (3.81).
• Iowa has a higher acceptance rate (83.6%) than IWU (39.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.3% at IWU vs. 22.4% at Iowa.

IWU vs. Iowa Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for IWU and Iowa? 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 Iowa's (71%).
• Graduates from Illinois Wesleyan University earn a median of about $700 more per year than Iowa graduates about ten years after starting college ($60,500 vs. $59,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Iowa graduates have a $5,384 lower median loan debt than IWU graduates ($21,616 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Iowa graduates have an estimated $56 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than IWU graduates ($223 vs. $279).
• More IWU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Iowa students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 70%)

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.