IUPUI vs. IWU

Should I go to Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis or Indiana Wesleyan University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if IUPUI or IWU is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.
Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

Purdue IU Butler Taylor University ISU Indiana State Northern Illinois BSU Olivet Nazarene University WMU Hanover College Marian
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis vs. Indiana Wesleyan University comparison
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis Indiana Wesleyan University College 3 College 4
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis Indiana Wesleyan University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

 IUPUI IWU
Location Indianapolis, IN Marion, IN
Setting Large City Distant Town
Enrollment 25,979 2,603
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #482 #299
Religious Affiliation - Wesleyan - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website iupui.edu indwes.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 IUPUI IWU
Tuition (In State) $8,972 $29,684
Tuition (Out of State) $31,410 $29,684
Room & Board $11,252 $10,050
Avg Net Price $11,462 $21,755
Avg Grant Aid $12,201 $20,194
% Receiving Grant Aid 83% 100%

Admission

 IUPUI IWU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 15,637 3,946
Admitted 12,961 3,422
Acceptance Rate 82.9% 86.7%
Enrolled % 27.2% 16.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.52 3.61
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Average Moderate
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 21/27 21/27
SAT Range 1050/1250 1000/1190
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline May 15, 2025

Academics

 IUPUI IWU
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Health Professions (18%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (13%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Engineering Technology (5%)
  • Business (56%)
  • Health Professions (22%)
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (3%)
  • Education (3%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (3%)

Outcomes

 IUPUI IWU
Graduation Rate 33% 70%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $48,600 $54,300
Making Student Loan Payments 53% 55%
Median Student Loan Debt $23,090 $24,104
Median Loan Payment $238 $249

Diversity

 IUPUI IWU
% Men 40% 34%
% Women 60% 66%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 72% 73%
% Black 10% 19%
% Hispanic 6% 4%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 2%
% International 4% 0%
% Unknown Race 1% 1%

Students

 IUPUI IWU
% In-State 91% 60%
% Out-of-State 7% 39%

Campus

 IUPUI IWU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is larger than than IWU based on total student enrollment (25,979 students vs. 2,603 students)

IUPUI vs. IWU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, IUPUI or IWU?

  • Indiana Wesleyan University is 230.9% more expensive to attend than IUPUI for in-state tuition ($29,684.00 vs. $8,972.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 5.8% higher at IUPUI than Indiana Wesleyan University ($31,410.00 vs. $29,684.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis than IWU ($11,462 vs. $21,755)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Indiana Wesleyan University are 12% lower than costs at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis ($10,050 vs. $11,252)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Indiana Wesleyan University than Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis (100% vs. 83%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Indiana Wesleyan University students is 65.5% larger than aid received Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis ($20,194 vs. $12,201)

IUPUI vs. IWU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, IUPUI or IWU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between IWU or IUPUI .

  • The average SAT score at Indiana Wesleyan University (1086) is 72 points higher than at IUPUI (1014)
  • Incoming IWU students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at IUPUI (22)
  • Accepted freshman IWU students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at IUPUI (3.52)
  • IWU has a higher acceptance rate (86.7%) than IUPUI (82.9%)

IUPUI vs. IWU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, IUPUI or IWU? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between IWU and IUPUI.

  • The graduation rate at IWU is higher than Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis (70% vs. 33%)
  • Graduates from Indiana Wesleyan University earn on average $5,700 more per year than IUPUI graduates after ten years. ($54,300 vs. $48,600)
  • Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis students graduate with a $1,014 lower median federal student loan debt than IWU graduates. ($23,090 vs. $24,104)
  • IUPUI graduates are paying $11 less per month on federal student loans than IWU graduates. ($238 vs. $249)
  • More IWU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former IUPUI students, three years after graduation. (55% vs. 53%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/