IWU vs. Wheaton College

Comparable Facts

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

Wheaton College is larger than IWU based on total student enrollment (2,874 students vs. 1,582 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Illinois Wesleyan University is located in Bloomington, IL (Small City setting); Wheaton College is in Wheaton, IL (Large Suburban setting).
• Illinois Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Wheaton College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Illinois Wesleyan University 12:1; Wheaton College 10:1.

IWU vs. Wheaton College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, IWU or Wheaton 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 Illinois Wesleyan University than Wheaton College ($28,644 vs. $31,356).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wheaton College are 2.7% lower than at Illinois Wesleyan University ($13,010 vs. $13,370).
• Illinois Wesleyan University is 26.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Wheaton College (about $12,158 more per year; $57,704.00 vs. $45,546.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 26.7% higher at IWU than at Wheaton College (about $12,158 more per year; $57,704.00 vs. $45,546.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Illinois Wesleyan University than at Wheaton College (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Illinois Wesleyan University students is 50.7% larger than aid received by Wheaton College students ($42,181 vs. $27,987).

IWU vs. Wheaton College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wheaton College (1370) is 140 points higher than at IWU (1230).
• Incoming Wheaton College students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 27 at IWU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois Wesleyan University 1120/1340; Wheaton College 1260/1470.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois Wesleyan University 25/30; Wheaton College 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: IWU - Test optional; Wheaton College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Wheaton College Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman IWU students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.86) than students at Wheaton College (3.75).
• Wheaton College has a higher acceptance rate (87.4%) than IWU (39.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.3% at IWU vs. 29.9% at Wheaton College.

IWU vs. Wheaton College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for IWU and Wheaton 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).

• Wheaton College's six-year graduation rate (87%) is higher than Illinois Wesleyan University's (82%).
• Graduates from Illinois Wesleyan University earn a median of about $6,200 more per year than Wheaton College graduates about ten years after starting college ($60,500 vs. $54,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wheaton College graduates have a $4,500 lower median loan debt than IWU graduates ($22,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Wheaton College graduates have an estimated $47 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than IWU graduates ($232 vs. $279).
• More Wheaton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former IWU students, three years after graduation. (90% vs. 87%)

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.