Marian vs. IWU

Comparable Facts

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

Marian University is larger than IWU based on total student enrollment (3,486 students vs. 2,204 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Marian University is located in Indianapolis, IN (Large City setting); Indiana Wesleyan University Marion is in Marion, IN (Distant Town setting).
• Marian University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Indiana Wesleyan University Marion is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Marian University 13:1; Indiana Wesleyan University Marion 12:1.

Marian vs. IWU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Marian 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 Marian University than IWU ($22,786 vs. $23,402).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Indiana Wesleyan University Marion are 21.5% lower than at Marian University ($10,868 vs. $13,850).
• Marian University is 25.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than IWU (about $8,312 more per year; $40,664.00 vs. $32,352.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 25.7% higher at Marian than at Indiana Wesleyan University Marion (about $8,312 more per year; $40,664.00 vs. $32,352.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Indiana Wesleyan University Marion than at Marian University (100% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Marian University students is 51.1% larger than aid received by Indiana Wesleyan University Marion students ($32,351 vs. $21,405).

Marian vs. IWU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Marian 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 Marian.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsIndiana Wesleyan University Marion 960/1180.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsIndiana Wesleyan University Marion 19/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Marian - Test-free; IWU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Marian Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman IWU students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at Marian (3.56).
• Marian has a higher acceptance rate (95.5%) than IWU (88.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.6% at Marian vs. 17% at IWU.

Marian vs. IWU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Marian 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 Marian University's (58%).
• Graduates from Indiana Wesleyan University Marion earn a median of about $9,500 more per year than Marian graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,300 vs. $44,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Indiana Wesleyan University Marion graduates have a $2,896 lower median loan debt than Marian graduates ($24,104 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, IWU graduates have an estimated $30 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Marian graduates ($249 vs. $279).
• More Marian graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former IWU students, three years after graduation. (57% vs. 55%)

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.