Western Illinois University vs. Iowa Wesleyan College

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

Western Illinois University Iowa Wesleyan College
Location Macomb, IL Mount Pleasant, IA
Setting Remote Town Remote Town
Enrollment 7,643 871
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #579
Religious Affiliation - United Methodist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website wiu.edu iwc.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Western Illinois University Iowa Wesleyan College
Tuition (In State) $9,515 $33,550
Tuition (Out of State) $9,515 $33,550
Room & Board $10,500 $11,340
Avg Net Price $11,213 $20,074
Avg Grant Aid $15,632 $26,670
% Receiving Grant Aid 94% 92%

Admission

Western Illinois University Iowa Wesleyan College
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 9,219 2,975
Admitted 6,914 2,404
Acceptance Rate 75% 80.8%
Enrolled % 15.5% 8%
Avg High School GPA 3.45 3.02
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/24 16/22
SAT Range 880/1090 830/1010
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 15, 2025

Academics

Western Illinois University Iowa Wesleyan College
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (16%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (14%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (12%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Communication (6%)
  • Business (23%)
  • Education (19%)
  • Health Professions (14%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (9%)
  • Biology (8%)

Outcomes

Western Illinois University Iowa Wesleyan College
Graduation Rate 53% 25%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $46,000 $36,900
Making Student Loan Payments 61% 55%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,704 $25,000
Median Loan Payment $255 $258

Diversity

Western Illinois University Iowa Wesleyan College
% Men 43% 56%
% Women 57% 44%
Racial Diversity Medium High
HBCU No No
% White 62% 52%
% Black 19% 9%
% Hispanic 11% 6%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 2% 4%
% Unknown Race 2% 24%

Students

Western Illinois University Iowa Wesleyan College
% In-State 89% 25%
% Out-of-State 10% 60%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Western Illinois University is larger than than Iowa Wesleyan College based on total student enrollment (7,643 students vs. 871 students)

Western Illinois University vs. Iowa Wesleyan College Cost Comparison

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

  • Iowa Wesleyan College is 252.6% more expensive to attend than Western Illinois University for in-state tuition ($33,550.00 vs. $9,515.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 252.6% higher at Iowa Wesleyan College than Western Illinois University ($33,550.00 vs. $9,515.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Illinois University than Iowa Wesleyan College ($11,213 vs. $20,074)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Illinois University are 8% lower than costs at Iowa Wesleyan College ($10,500 vs. $11,340)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Western Illinois University than Iowa Wesleyan College (94% vs. 92%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Iowa Wesleyan College students is 70.6% larger than aid received Western Illinois University ($26,670 vs. $15,632)

Western Illinois University vs. Iowa Wesleyan College Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Western Illinois University (970) is 21 points higher than at Iowa Wesleyan College (949)
  • Incoming Western Illinois University students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (21) than students at Iowa Wesleyan College (20)
  • Accepted freshman Western Illinois University students have a 0.43 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at Iowa Wesleyan College (3.02)
  • Iowa Wesleyan College has a higher acceptance rate (80.8%) than Western Illinois University (75%)

Western Illinois University vs. Iowa Wesleyan College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at Western Illinois University is higher than Iowa Wesleyan College (53% vs. 25%)
  • Graduates from Western Illinois University earn on average $9,100 more per year than Iowa Wesleyan College graduates after ten years. ($46,000 vs. $36,900)
  • Western Illinois University students graduate with a $296 lower median federal student loan debt than Iowa Wesleyan College graduates. ($24,704 vs. $25,000)
  • Western Illinois University graduates are paying $3 less per month on federal student loans than Iowa Wesleyan College graduates. ($255 vs. $258)
  • More Western Illinois University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Iowa Wesleyan College students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 55%)

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