IWU vs. Eastern

Should I go to Indiana Wesleyan University or Eastern Kentucky University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if IWU or Eastern 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.
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Indiana Wesleyan University vs. Eastern Kentucky University comparison
Indiana Wesleyan University Eastern Kentucky University College 3 College 4
Indiana Wesleyan University Eastern Kentucky University
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Overview

 IWU Eastern
Location Marion, IN Richmond, KY
Setting Distant Town Distant Town
Enrollment 2,207 15,008
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #236 #873
Religious Affiliation Wesleyan - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website indwes.edu eku.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 IWU Eastern
Tuition (In State) $31,168 $9,830
Tuition (Out of State) $31,168 $20,520
Room & Board $10,554 $11,735
Avg Net Price $23,364 $10,852
Avg Grant Aid $19,595 $11,460
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 98%

Admission

 IWU Eastern
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,035 17,082
Admitted 2,495 13,340
Acceptance Rate 82.2% 78.1%
Enrolled % 20% 20.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.61 3.39
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Moderate Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 19/28 17/24
SAT Range 970/1180 930/1190
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 Aug 1, 2026

Academics

 IWU Eastern
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (56%)
  • Health Professions (22%)
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (3%)
  • Education (3%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (3%)
  • Health Professions (16%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (14%)
  • Business (9%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (8%)

Outcomes

 IWU Eastern
Graduation Rate 70% 38%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $54,300 $37,900
Making Student Loan Payments 55% 49%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,104 $23,695
Median Loan Payment $249 $245

Diversity

 IWU Eastern
% Men 2% 4%
% Women 4% 11%
Racial Diversity Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 73% 85%
% Black 19% 6%
% Hispanic 4% 2%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 2%
% International 0% 2%
% Unknown Race 1% 1%

Students

 IWU Eastern
% In-State 60% 92%
% Out-of-State 39% 8%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Eastern Kentucky University is larger than than IWU based on total student enrollment (15,008 students vs. 2,207 students)

IWU vs. Eastern Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, IWU or Eastern?

  • Indiana Wesleyan University is 217.1% more expensive to attend than Eastern for in-state tuition ($31,168.00 vs. $9,830.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 51.9% higher at IWU than Eastern Kentucky University ($31,168.00 vs. $20,520.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Eastern Kentucky University than IWU ($10,852 vs. $23,364)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Indiana Wesleyan University are 11.2% lower than costs at Eastern Kentucky University ($10,554 vs. $11,735)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Indiana Wesleyan University than Eastern Kentucky University (100% vs. 98%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Indiana Wesleyan University students is 71% larger than aid received Eastern Kentucky University ($19,595 vs. $11,460)

IWU vs. Eastern Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Indiana Wesleyan University (1086) is 58 points higher than at Eastern (1028)
  • Incoming IWU students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at Eastern (22)
  • Accepted freshman IWU students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at Eastern (3.39)
  • IWU has a higher acceptance rate (82.2%) than Eastern (78.1%)

IWU vs. Eastern Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, IWU or Eastern? 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 Eastern and IWU.

  • The graduation rate at IWU is higher than Eastern Kentucky University (70% vs. 38%)
  • Graduates from Indiana Wesleyan University earn on average $16,400 more per year than Eastern graduates after ten years. ($54,300 vs. $37,900)
  • Eastern Kentucky University students graduate with a $409 lower median federal student loan debt than IWU graduates. ($23,695 vs. $24,104)
  • Eastern graduates are paying $4 less per month on federal student loans than IWU graduates. ($245 vs. $249)
  • More IWU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Eastern students, three years after graduation. (55% vs. 49%)

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