IWU vs. Western Illinois University

Illinois Wesleyan University and Western Illinois University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Illinois Wesleyan University
Western Illinois University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: IWU (39.3% admitted vs 71.2%). Typical SAT 1230 vs 990.
  • Cheaper after aid: Western Illinois University. Average net price is $14,208 vs $28,644 at IWU.
  • Graduation: IWU 82% vs Western Illinois University 53%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: IWU $60,500 vs Western Illinois University $46,000 (median).
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Key differences

Illinois Wesleyan University Western Illinois University
Acceptance rate
IWU more selective
IWU39.3%
Western Illinois University71.2%
SAT range (middle 50%)
IWU higher
IWU1120-1340
Western Illinois University880-1090
Average net price
Western Illinois University $14,436 less
IWU$28,644
Western Illinois University$14,208
In-state tuition
Western Illinois University $42,440 less
IWU$57,704
Western Illinois University$15,264
Out-of-state tuition
Western Illinois University $42,440 less
IWU$57,704
Western Illinois University$15,264
Graduation rate
IWU +29 pts
IWU82%
Western Illinois University53%
Median earnings (10 years)
IWU +$14,500
IWU$60,500
Western Illinois University$46,000

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • IWU 9,558
  • Western Illinois University 8,674
  • Admitted
  • IWU 3,757
  • Western Illinois University 6,174
  • Acceptance rate
  • IWU 39.3%
  • Western Illinois University 71.2%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • IWU 12.3%
  • Western Illinois University 10.3%
  • Typical SAT score
  • IWU 1230
  • Western Illinois University 990
  • Typical ACT score
  • IWU 27
  • Western Illinois University 21
  • Average high school GPA
  • IWU 3.86
  • Western Illinois University 3.45
  • Typical high school grades
  • IWU A
  • Western Illinois University B+
  • Admissions standards
  • IWU Difficult
  • Western Illinois University Extremely Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • IWU High
  • Western Illinois University Low
  • SAT range
  • IWU 1120-1340
  • Western Illinois University 880-1090
  • ACT range
  • IWU 25-30
  • Western Illinois University 18-24
  • Submit test scores
  • IWU Test optional
  • Western Illinois University Test-free
  • Application deadline
  • IWU
  • Western Illinois University
  • Tuition (in state)
  • IWU $57,704
  • Western Illinois University $15,264
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • IWU $57,704
  • Western Illinois University $15,264
  • Room & board
  • IWU $13,370
  • Western Illinois University $11,320
  • Average net price
  • IWU $28,644
  • Western Illinois University $14,208
  • Average grant aid
  • IWU $42,181
  • Western Illinois University $14,994
  • % receiving grant aid
  • IWU 100%
  • Western Illinois University 53%
  • Graduation rate
  • IWU 82%
  • Western Illinois University 53%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • IWU $60,500
  • Western Illinois University $46,000
  • Making student loan payments
  • IWU 87%
  • Western Illinois University 61%
  • Median student loan debt
  • IWU $27,000
  • Western Illinois University $24,704
  • Median loan payment
  • IWU $279
  • Western Illinois University $255
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • IWU 12:1
  • Western Illinois University 12:1
  • Popular majors
  • IWU
    • Business (20%)
    • Social Sciences (13%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • Biology (7%)
  • Western Illinois University
    • Business (16%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (14%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (12%)
    • Education (8%)
    • Communication (6%)
  • Location
  • IWU Bloomington, IL
  • Western Illinois University Macomb, IL
  • Setting
  • IWU Small City
  • Western Illinois University Remote Town
  • Total enrollment
  • IWU 1,582
  • Western Illinois University 6,332
  • Type
  • IWU Private 4 Year
  • Western Illinois University Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • IWU #157
  • Western Illinois University #571

Comparable Facts

Compare Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, IL with Western Illinois University in Macomb, IL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Western Illinois University is larger than IWU based on total student enrollment (6,332 students vs. 1,582 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Illinois Wesleyan University is located in Bloomington, IL (Small City setting); Western Illinois University is in Macomb, IL (Remote Town setting).
  • Illinois Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Illinois Wesleyan University 12:1; Western Illinois University 12:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Illinois University are 15.3% lower than at Illinois Wesleyan University ($11,320 vs. $13,370).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 278% higher at IWU than at Western Illinois University (about $42,440 more per year; $57,704 vs. $15,264).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Illinois Wesleyan University than at Western Illinois University (100% vs. 53%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Illinois Wesleyan University students is 181.3% larger than aid received by Western Illinois University students ($42,181 vs. $14,994).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 6 points higher at IWU than at Western Illinois University (27 vs. 21, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at IWU, test-free at Western Illinois University.
  • Enrolled first-year students at IWU average a 3.86 high school GPA, 0.41 higher than at Western Illinois University (3.45).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.3% at IWU vs. 10.3% at Western Illinois University.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Illinois University graduates have a $2,296 lower median loan debt than IWU graduates ($24,704 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Western Illinois University graduates have an estimated $24 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than IWU graduates ($255 vs. $279).
  • More IWU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Western Illinois University students, three years after graduation (87% vs. 61%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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