Wheaton College vs. Hillsdale College

Comparable Facts

Compare Wheaton College in Wheaton, IL with Hillsdale College in Hillsdale, Michigan on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Wheaton College is larger than Hillsdale College based on total student enrollment (2,874 students vs. 1,792 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Wheaton College is located in Wheaton, IL (Large Suburban setting); Hillsdale College is in Hillsdale, Michigan (Distant Town setting).
• Wheaton College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Hillsdale College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Wheaton College 10:1; Hillsdale College 8:1.

Wheaton College vs. Hillsdale College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Wheaton College or Hillsdale College? 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 Hillsdale College than Wheaton College ($23,993 vs. $31,356).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wheaton College are 4.3% lower than at Hillsdale College ($13,010 vs. $13,600).
• Wheaton College is 37.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Hillsdale College (about $12,357 more per year; $45,546.00 vs. $33,189.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 37.2% higher at Wheaton College than at Hillsdale College (about $12,357 more per year; $45,546.00 vs. $33,189.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Hillsdale College than at Wheaton College (99% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wheaton College students is 15% larger than aid received by Hillsdale College students ($27,987 vs. $24,328).

Wheaton College vs. Hillsdale College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Wheaton College or Hillsdale College? 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 Hillsdale College and Wheaton College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Hillsdale College (1410) is 40 points higher than at Wheaton College (1370).
• Incoming Hillsdale College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 30 at Wheaton College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wheaton College 1260/1470; Hillsdale College 1320/1490.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wheaton College 28/32; Hillsdale College 30/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Wheaton College - Test optional; Hillsdale College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Wheaton College Aug 1, 2027; Hillsdale College Mar 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Hillsdale College students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.93) than students at Wheaton College (3.75).
• Wheaton College has a higher acceptance rate (87.4%) than Hillsdale College (20.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 29.9% at Wheaton College vs. 55.5% at Hillsdale College.

Wheaton College vs. Hillsdale College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Wheaton College and Hillsdale College? 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).

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.