IWU vs. Wisconsin

Comparable Facts

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

University of Wisconsin Madison is larger than IWU based on total student enrollment (51,044 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 Wisconsin Madison is in Madison, WI (Midsize City setting).
• Illinois Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Wisconsin Madison is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Illinois Wesleyan University 12:1; University of Wisconsin Madison 18:1.

IWU vs. Wisconsin Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, IWU or Wisconsin? 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 Wisconsin Madison than IWU ($14,235 vs. $28,644).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Illinois Wesleyan University are 5.3% lower than at University of Wisconsin Madison ($13,370 vs. $14,124).
• Illinois Wesleyan University is 397.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Wisconsin (about $46,101 more per year; $57,704.00 vs. $11,603.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 37.1% higher at IWU than at University of Wisconsin Madison (about $15,601 more per year; $57,704.00 vs. $42,103.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Illinois Wesleyan University than at University of Wisconsin Madison (100% vs. 35%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Illinois Wesleyan University students is 137.8% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin Madison students ($42,181 vs. $17,741).

IWU vs. Wisconsin Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Wisconsin Madison (1450) is 220 points higher than at IWU (1230).
• Incoming Wisconsin students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 27 at IWU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois Wesleyan University 1120/1340; University of Wisconsin Madison 1380/1520.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois Wesleyan University 25/30; University of Wisconsin Madison 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: IWU - Test optional; Wisconsin - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Wisconsin Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Wisconsin students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.88) than students at IWU (3.86).
• Wisconsin has a higher acceptance rate (45.2%) than IWU (39.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.3% at IWU vs. 28.6% at Wisconsin.

IWU vs. Wisconsin Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for IWU and Wisconsin? 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).

• The graduation rate at IWU is the same as at University of Wisconsin Madison (82% vs. 82%).
• Graduates from University of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of about $4,300 more per year than IWU graduates about ten years after starting college ($64,800 vs. $60,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Wisconsin Madison graduates have a $4,750 lower median loan debt than IWU graduates ($22,250 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Wisconsin graduates have an estimated $49 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than IWU graduates ($230 vs. $279).
• More IWU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Wisconsin students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 84%)

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.