IU Northwest vs. IWU

Comparable Facts

Compare Indiana University Northwest in Gary, IN with Indiana Wesleyan University Marion in Marion, IN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Indiana University Northwest is larger than IWU based on total student enrollment (3,041 students vs. 2,204 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Indiana University Northwest is located in Gary, IN (Small City setting); Indiana Wesleyan University Marion is in Marion, IN (Distant Town setting).
• Indiana University Northwest is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Indiana Wesleyan University Marion is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Indiana University Northwest 15:1; Indiana Wesleyan University Marion 12:1.

IU Northwest vs. IWU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, IU Northwest or IWU? 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 Northwest than IWU ($5,745 vs. $23,402).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Indiana Wesleyan University Marion are 0.9% lower than at Indiana University Northwest ($10,868 vs. $10,972).
• Indiana Wesleyan University Marion is 284% more expensive for in-state tuition than IU Northwest (about $23,928 more per year; $32,352.00 vs. $8,424.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 41.8% higher at IWU than at Indiana University Northwest (about $9,541 more per year; $32,352.00 vs. $22,811.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Indiana Wesleyan University Marion than at Indiana University Northwest (100% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Indiana Wesleyan University Marion students is 157.1% larger than aid received by Indiana University Northwest students ($21,405 vs. $8,327).

IU Northwest vs. IWU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, IU Northwest or IWU? 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 IWU and IU Northwest.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Indiana Wesleyan University Marion (1070) is 20 points higher than at IU Northwest (1050).
• Incoming IWU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at IU Northwest).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Indiana University Northwest 910/1180; Indiana Wesleyan University Marion 960/1180.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Indiana University Northwest 18/26; Indiana Wesleyan University Marion 19/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: IU Northwest - Test optional; IWU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman IWU students have a 0.47 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at IU Northwest (3.14).
• IWU has a higher acceptance rate (88.9%) than IU Northwest (73.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.5% at IU Northwest vs. 17% at IWU.

IU Northwest vs. IWU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for IU Northwest and IWU? 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).

• Indiana Wesleyan University Marion's six-year graduation rate (70%) is higher than Indiana University Northwest's (23%).
• Graduates from Indiana Wesleyan University Marion earn a median of about $14,800 more per year than IU Northwest graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,300 vs. $39,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Indiana Wesleyan University Marion graduates have a $926 lower median loan debt than IU Northwest graduates ($24,104 vs. $25,030).
• Among borrowers, IWU graduates have an estimated $9 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than IU Northwest graduates ($249 vs. $258).
• More IWU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former IU Northwest students, three years after graduation. (55% vs. 33%)

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.