IWU vs. Western Illinois University

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 table 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.

IWU vs. Western Illinois University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, IWU or Western Illinois University? 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 Western Illinois University than IWU ($14,208 vs. $28,644).
• 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).
• Illinois Wesleyan University is 278% more expensive for in-state tuition than Western Illinois University (about $42,440 more per year; $57,704.00 vs. $15,264.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 278% higher at IWU than at Western Illinois University (about $42,440 more per year; $57,704.00 vs. $15,264.00).
• 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).

IWU vs. Western Illinois University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, IWU or Western Illinois University? 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 Western Illinois University and IWU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Illinois Wesleyan University (1230) is 240 points higher than at Western Illinois University (990).
• Incoming IWU students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 21 at Western Illinois University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois Wesleyan University 1120/1340; Western Illinois University 880/1090.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois Wesleyan University 25/30; Western Illinois University 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: IWU - Test optional; Western Illinois University - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman IWU students have a 0.41 point higher average high school GPA (3.86) than students at Western Illinois University (3.45).
• Western Illinois University has a higher acceptance rate (71.2%) than IWU (39.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.3% at IWU vs. 10.3% at Western Illinois University.

IWU vs. Western Illinois University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for IWU and Western Illinois University? 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 Western Illinois University's (53%).
• Graduates from Illinois Wesleyan University earn a median of about $14,500 more per year than Western Illinois University graduates about ten years after starting college ($60,500 vs. $46,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• 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 https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.