IU vs. Wabash College

Comparable Facts

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

Indiana University Bloomington is larger than Wabash College based on total student enrollment (48,424 students vs. 866 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Indiana University Bloomington is located in Bloomington, IN (Small City setting); Wabash College is in Crawfordsville, IN (Distant Town setting).
• Indiana University Bloomington is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Wabash College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Indiana University Bloomington 18:1; Wabash College 9:1.

IU vs. Wabash College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, IU 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 Indiana University Bloomington than Wabash College ($17,270 vs. $25,562).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Indiana University Bloomington are 2.9% lower than at Wabash College ($13,984 vs. $14,400).
• Wabash College is 318.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than IU (about $38,656 more per year; $50,800.00 vs. $12,144.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 21.3% higher at Wabash College than at Indiana University Bloomington (about $8,909 more per year; $50,800.00 vs. $41,891.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wabash College than at Indiana University Bloomington (100% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wabash College students is 277.7% larger than aid received by Indiana University Bloomington students ($39,605 vs. $10,487).

IU vs. Wabash College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, IU 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 IU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Indiana University Bloomington (1290) is 120 points higher than at Wabash College (1170).
• Incoming IU students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 25 at Wabash College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Indiana University Bloomington 1170/1400; Wabash College 1060/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Indiana University Bloomington 27/33; Wabash College 23/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: IU - Test optional; Wabash College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Wabash College Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman IU students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.74) than students at Wabash College (3.6).
• IU has a higher acceptance rate (78.2%) than Wabash College (63.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.2% at IU vs. 18.4% at Wabash College.

IU vs. Wabash College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for IU 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).

• Wabash College's six-year graduation rate (75%) is higher than Indiana University Bloomington's (72%).
• Graduates from Wabash College earn a median of about $6,600 more per year than IU graduates about ten years after starting college ($62,800 vs. $56,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Indiana University Bloomington graduates have a $2,500 lower median loan debt than Wabash College graduates ($22,500 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, IU graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wabash College graduates ($232 vs. $258).
• More IU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Wabash College students, three years after graduation. (72% 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.