Iowa Wesleyan College vs. Marian University

Should I go to Iowa Wesleyan College or Marian University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Iowa Wesleyan College or Marian University 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. 

CUW Ripon College
Iowa Wesleyan College vs. Marian University comparison
Iowa Wesleyan College Marian University College 3 College 4
Iowa Wesleyan College
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

Iowa Wesleyan College Marian University
Location Mount Pleasant, IA Fond Du Lac, WI
Setting Remote Town Small City
Enrollment 871 1,340
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #806
Religious Affiliation United Methodist Roman Catholic - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website iwc.edu marianuniversity.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Iowa Wesleyan College Marian University
Tuition (In State) $33,550 $29,520
Tuition (Out of State) $33,550 $29,520
Room & Board $11,340 $8,290
Avg Net Price $20,074 $25,394
Avg Grant Aid $26,670 $14,246
% Receiving Grant Aid 92% 100%

Admission

Iowa Wesleyan College Marian University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,975 1,262
Admitted 2,404 903
Acceptance Rate 80.8% 71.6%
Enrolled % 8% 24.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.02 3.16
Typical High School Grades B B
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 16/22 18/23
SAT Range 830/1010 800/1080
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 15, 2025

Academics

Iowa Wesleyan College Marian University
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (23%)
  • Education (19%)
  • Health Professions (14%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (9%)
  • Biology (8%)
  • Health Professions (34%)
  • Business (30%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (8%)
  • Communication (4%)

Outcomes

Iowa Wesleyan College Marian University
Graduation Rate 25% 52%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $36,900 $43,500
Making Student Loan Payments 55% 63%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,000 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $258 $279

Diversity

Iowa Wesleyan College Marian University
% Men 56% 31%
% Women 44% 69%
Racial Diversity High Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 52% 82%
% Black 9% 6%
% Hispanic 6% 6%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 1%
% International 4% 2%
% Unknown Race 24% 1%

Students

Iowa Wesleyan College Marian University
% In-State 25% 56%
% Out-of-State 60% 42%

Campus

Iowa Wesleyan College Marian University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Marian University is larger than than Iowa Wesleyan College based on total student enrollment (1,340 students vs. 871 students)

Iowa Wesleyan College vs. Marian University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Iowa Wesleyan College or Marian University?

  • Iowa Wesleyan College is 13.7% more expensive to attend than Marian University for in-state tuition ($33,550.00 vs. $29,520.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 13.7% higher at Iowa Wesleyan College than Marian University ($33,550.00 vs. $29,520.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Iowa Wesleyan College than Marian University ($20,074 vs. $25,394)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Marian University are 36.8% lower than costs at Iowa Wesleyan College ($8,290 vs. $11,340)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Marian University than Iowa Wesleyan College (100% vs. 92%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Iowa Wesleyan College students is 87.2% larger than aid received Marian University ($26,670 vs. $14,246)

Iowa Wesleyan College vs. Marian University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Iowa Wesleyan College or Marian University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Marian University or Iowa Wesleyan College .

  • The average SAT score at Marian University (950) is 1 points higher than at Iowa Wesleyan College (949)
  • Incoming Iowa Wesleyan College students have at the same average ACT score (20) as students at Marian University (20)
  • Accepted freshman Marian University students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.16) than students at Iowa Wesleyan College (3.02)
  • Iowa Wesleyan College has a higher acceptance rate (80.8%) than Marian University (71.6%)

Iowa Wesleyan College vs. Marian University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Iowa Wesleyan College or Marian University? 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 Marian University and Iowa Wesleyan College.

  • The graduation rate at Marian University is higher than Iowa Wesleyan College (52% vs. 25%)
  • Graduates from Marian University earn on average $6,600 more per year than Iowa Wesleyan College graduates after ten years. ($43,500 vs. $36,900)
  • Iowa Wesleyan College students graduate with a $2,000 lower median federal student loan debt than Marian University graduates. ($25,000 vs. $27,000)
  • Iowa Wesleyan College graduates are paying $21 less per month on federal student loans than Marian University graduates. ($258 vs. $279)
  • More Marian University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Iowa Wesleyan College students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 55%)

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