IWU vs. University of Missouri-Columbia

Comparable Facts

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

University of Missouri Columbia is larger than IWU based on total student enrollment (31,543 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 Missouri Columbia is in Columbia, MO (Midsize City setting).
• Illinois Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Missouri Columbia is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Illinois Wesleyan University 12:1; University of Missouri Columbia 17:1.

IWU vs. University of Missouri-Columbia Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, IWU or University of Missouri-Columbia? 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 Missouri Columbia than IWU ($22,169 vs. $28,644).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Illinois Wesleyan University are 2.4% lower than at University of Missouri Columbia ($13,370 vs. $13,700).
• Illinois Wesleyan University is 288.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Missouri-Columbia (about $42,867 more per year; $57,704.00 vs. $14,837.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 60% higher at IWU than at University of Missouri Columbia (about $21,648 more per year; $57,704.00 vs. $36,056.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Illinois Wesleyan University than at University of Missouri Columbia (100% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Illinois Wesleyan University students is 219.5% larger than aid received by University of Missouri Columbia students ($42,181 vs. $13,203).

IWU vs. University of Missouri-Columbia Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, IWU or University of Missouri-Columbia? 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 Missouri-Columbia and IWU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Missouri Columbia (1240) is 10 points higher than at IWU (1230).
• Incoming IWU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 26 at University of Missouri-Columbia).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois Wesleyan University 1120/1340; University of Missouri Columbia 1150/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois Wesleyan University 25/30; University of Missouri Columbia 23/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: IWU - Test optional; University of Missouri-Columbia - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman IWU students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (3.86) than students at University of Missouri-Columbia (3.61).
• University of Missouri-Columbia has a higher acceptance rate (78.5%) than IWU (39.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.3% at IWU vs. 31% at University of Missouri-Columbia.

IWU vs. University of Missouri-Columbia Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for IWU and University of Missouri-Columbia? 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 Missouri Columbia's (69%).
• Graduates from Illinois Wesleyan University earn a median of about $6,300 more per year than University of Missouri-Columbia graduates about ten years after starting college ($60,500 vs. $54,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Missouri Columbia graduates have a $5,117 lower median loan debt than IWU graduates ($21,883 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, University of Missouri-Columbia graduates have an estimated $53 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than IWU graduates ($226 vs. $279).
• More IWU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Missouri-Columbia students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 73%)

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.