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K-State ISU ESU University of Missouri-Columbia Bradley Nebraska Arkansas Iowa University of Missouri-Kansas City Illinois UALR Wooster| Illinois Wesleyan University | University of Kansas | College 3 | College 4 | |
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| Remove | Remove | +Add | +Add | |
Overview |
IWU | KU | ||
| Location | Bloomington, IL | Lawrence, KS | ||
| Setting | Small City | Small City | ||
| Enrollment | 1,527 | 26,708 | ||
| Type | Private 4 Year | Public 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #144 | #252 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | - | - | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | iwu.edu | ku.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
IWU | KU | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $53,610 | $10,092 | ||
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| Tuition (Out of State) | $53,610 | $26,960 | ||
| Room & Board | $12,418 | $10,136 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $30,096 | $18,950 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $36,614 | $11,140 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 100% | 87% |
Admission |
IWU | KU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 4,408 | 16,204 | ||
| Admitted | 1,861 | 14,234 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 42.2% | 87.8% | ||
| Enrolled % | 20.5% | 31.3% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.86 | 3.66 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | A- | B+ | ||
| Admissions Standards | Difficult | Challenging | ||
| Applicant Competition | Low | |||
| ACT Range | 25/30 | 21/28 | ||
| SAT Range | 1120/1330 | 1090/1340 | ||
| Submit Test Scores | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) | ||
| Application Deadline | Aug 15, 2025 |
Academics |
IWU | KU | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 11:1 | 17:1 | ||
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Outcomes |
IWU | KU | ||
| Graduation Rate | 82% | 61% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $60,500 | $54,600 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 87% | 66% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $27,000 | $20,500 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $279 | $211 |
Diversity |
IWU | KU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 51% | 45% | ||
| % Women | 49% | 55% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Low | Low | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 71% | 72% | ||
| % Black | 4% | 4% | ||
| % Hispanic | 7% | 7% | ||
| % Native American | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 3% | 5% | ||
| % International | 9% | 6% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 2% | 1% |
Students |
IWU | KU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 77% | 58% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 14% | 39% | ||
Campus |
IWU | KU | ||
| Campus Housing | Yes | Yes | ||
| Freshman Dorm Required | No | No | ||
| Meal Plan | Yes | Yes | ||
| Weekend/Evening Classes | No | Yes | ||
| Daycare Facility | No | Yes | ||
| Learn More | Details | Details |
Comparable Facts
- University of Kansas is larger than than IWU based on total student enrollment (26,708 students vs. 1,527 students)
IWU vs. KU Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, IWU or KU?
- Illinois Wesleyan University is 431.2% more expensive to attend than KU for in-state tuition ($53,610.00 vs. $10,092.00)
- Out of state tuition is 98.9% higher at IWU than University of Kansas ($53,610.00 vs. $26,960.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Kansas than IWU ($18,950 vs. $30,096)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Kansas are 22.5% lower than costs at Illinois Wesleyan University ($10,136 vs. $12,418)
- More students receive financial grant aid at Illinois Wesleyan University than University of Kansas (100% vs. 87%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Illinois Wesleyan University students is 228.7% larger than aid received University of Kansas ($36,614 vs. $11,140)
IWU vs. KU Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, IWU or KU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between KU or IWU .
- The average SAT score at Illinois Wesleyan University (1249) is 104 points higher than at KU (1145)
- Incoming IWU students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (28) than students at KU (25)
- Accepted freshman IWU students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.86) than students at KU (3.66)
- KU has a higher acceptance rate (87.8%) than IWU (42.2%)
IWU vs. KU Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, IWU or KU? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between KU and IWU.
- The graduation rate at IWU is higher than University of Kansas (82% vs. 61%)
- Graduates from Illinois Wesleyan University earn on average $5,900 more per year than KU graduates after ten years. ($60,500 vs. $54,600)
- University of Kansas students graduate with a $6,500 lower median federal student loan debt than IWU graduates. ($20,500 vs. $27,000)
- KU graduates are paying $68 less per month on federal student loans than IWU graduates. ($211 vs. $279)
- More IWU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former KU students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 66%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/