Illinois vs. IWU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Illinois Urbana Champaign in Champaign, IL with Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, IL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is larger than IWU based on total student enrollment (59,238 students vs. 1,582 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is located in Champaign, IL (Small City setting); Illinois Wesleyan University is in Bloomington, IL (Small City setting).
• University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Illinois Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 20:1; Illinois Wesleyan University 12:1.

Illinois vs. IWU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Illinois 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 University of Illinois Urbana Champaign than IWU ($13,973 vs. $28,644).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Illinois Wesleyan University are 7.9% lower than at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign ($13,370 vs. $14,522).
• Illinois Wesleyan University is 260.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Illinois (about $41,700 more per year; $57,704.00 vs. $16,004.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 64.3% higher at IWU than at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (about $22,580 more per year; $57,704.00 vs. $35,124.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Illinois Wesleyan University than at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (100% vs. 52%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Illinois Wesleyan University students is 118.6% larger than aid received by University of Illinois Urbana Champaign students ($42,181 vs. $19,299).

Illinois vs. IWU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Illinois 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 Illinois.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (1420) is 190 points higher than at IWU (1230).
• Incoming Illinois students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 27 at IWU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 1310/1520; Illinois Wesleyan University 1120/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 30/34; Illinois Wesleyan University 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Illinois - Test optional; IWU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Illinois Jan 5, 2027.
• Accepted freshman IWU students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.86) than students at Illinois (3.79).
• Illinois has a higher acceptance rate (42.4%) than IWU (39.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.8% at Illinois vs. 12.3% at IWU.

Illinois vs. IWU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Illinois 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).

• The graduation rate at Illinois is the same as at Illinois Wesleyan University (82% vs. 82%).
• Graduates from University of Illinois Urbana Champaign earn a median of about $6,000 more per year than IWU graduates about ten years after starting college ($66,500 vs. $60,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Illinois Urbana Champaign graduates have a $6,500 lower median loan debt than IWU graduates ($20,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Illinois graduates have an estimated $68 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than IWU graduates ($211 vs. $279).
• More IWU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Illinois students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 78%)

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.