IWU vs. UNI

Comparable Facts

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

University of Northern Iowa is larger than IWU based on total student enrollment (9,278 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 Northern Iowa is in Cedar Falls, IA (Small City setting).
• Illinois Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Northern Iowa is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Illinois Wesleyan University 12:1; University of Northern Iowa 18:1.

IWU vs. UNI Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, IWU or UNI? 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 Northern Iowa than IWU ($16,437 vs. $28,644).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Northern Iowa are 25.3% lower than at Illinois Wesleyan University ($9,986 vs. $13,370).
• Illinois Wesleyan University is 480.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNI (about $47,768 more per year; $57,704.00 vs. $9,936.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 165.8% higher at IWU than at University of Northern Iowa (about $35,992 more per year; $57,704.00 vs. $21,712.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Illinois Wesleyan University than at University of Northern Iowa (100% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Illinois Wesleyan University students is 619.2% larger than aid received by University of Northern Iowa students ($42,181 vs. $5,865).

IWU vs. UNI Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Illinois Wesleyan University (1230) is 80 points higher than at UNI (1150).
• Incoming IWU students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 22 at UNI).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois Wesleyan University 1120/1340; University of Northern Iowa 1020/1280.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois Wesleyan University 25/30; University of Northern Iowa 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: IWU - Test optional; UNI - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman IWU students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (3.86) than students at UNI (3.61).
• UNI has a higher acceptance rate (92.7%) than IWU (39.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.3% at IWU vs. 31.1% at UNI.

IWU vs. UNI Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for IWU and UNI? 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 Northern Iowa's (67%).
• Graduates from Illinois Wesleyan University earn a median of about $12,800 more per year than UNI graduates about ten years after starting college ($60,500 vs. $47,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Northern Iowa graduates have a $6,375 lower median loan debt than IWU graduates ($20,625 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, UNI graduates have an estimated $66 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than IWU graduates ($213 vs. $279).
• More IWU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNI students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 72%)

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.