IWU vs. Wabash College

Comparable Facts

Compare Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, IL with Wabash College in Crawfordsville, IN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Illinois Wesleyan University is larger than Wabash College based on total student enrollment (1,582 students vs. 866 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Illinois Wesleyan University is located in Bloomington, IL (Small City setting); Wabash College is in Crawfordsville, IN (Distant Town setting).
• Illinois Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Wabash College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Illinois Wesleyan University 12:1; Wabash College 9:1.

IWU vs. Wabash College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, IWU or Wabash College? 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 Wabash College than IWU ($25,562 vs. $28,644).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Illinois Wesleyan University are 7.2% lower than at Wabash College ($13,370 vs. $14,400).
• Illinois Wesleyan University is 13.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Wabash College (about $6,904 more per year; $57,704.00 vs. $50,800.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 13.6% higher at IWU than at Wabash College (about $6,904 more per year; $57,704.00 vs. $50,800.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Illinois Wesleyan University as at Wabash College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Illinois Wesleyan University students is 6.5% larger than aid received by Wabash College students ($42,181 vs. $39,605).

IWU vs. Wabash College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Illinois Wesleyan University (1230) is 60 points higher than at Wabash College (1170).
• Incoming IWU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 25 at Wabash College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois Wesleyan University 1120/1340; Wabash College 1060/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois Wesleyan University 25/30; Wabash College 23/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: IWU - Test optional; Wabash College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Wabash College Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman IWU students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.86) than students at Wabash College (3.6).
• Wabash College has a higher acceptance rate (63.3%) than IWU (39.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.3% at IWU vs. 18.4% at Wabash College.

IWU vs. Wabash College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for IWU and Wabash College? 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 Wabash College's (75%).
• Graduates from Wabash College earn a median of about $2,300 more per year than IWU graduates about ten years after starting college ($62,800 vs. $60,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wabash College graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than IWU graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Wabash College graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than IWU graduates ($258 vs. $279).
• More IWU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Wabash College 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.