Wheaton College vs. ISU

Comparable Facts

Compare Wheaton College in Wheaton, IL with Iowa State University in Ames, IA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Iowa State University is larger than Wheaton College based on total student enrollment (30,380 students vs. 2,874 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Wheaton College is located in Wheaton, IL (Large Suburban setting); Iowa State University is in Ames, IA (Small City setting).
• Wheaton College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Iowa State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Wheaton College 10:1; Iowa State University 18:1.

Wheaton College vs. ISU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Wheaton College or ISU? 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 Iowa State University than Wheaton College ($17,779 vs. $31,356).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Iowa State University are 16.9% lower than at Wheaton College ($10,808 vs. $13,010).
• Wheaton College is 322.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than ISU (about $34,759 more per year; $45,546.00 vs. $10,787.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 57.7% higher at Wheaton College than at Iowa State University (about $16,665 more per year; $45,546.00 vs. $28,881.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wheaton College than at Iowa State University (98% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wheaton College students is 159.4% larger than aid received by Iowa State University students ($27,987 vs. $10,791).

Wheaton College vs. ISU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wheaton College (1370) is 130 points higher than at ISU (1240).
• Incoming Wheaton College students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 24 at ISU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wheaton College 1260/1470; Iowa State University 1120/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wheaton College 28/32; Iowa State University 21/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Wheaton College - Test optional; ISU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Wheaton College Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Wheaton College students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at ISU (3.7).
• ISU has a higher acceptance rate (88.7%) than Wheaton College (87.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 29.9% at Wheaton College vs. 28.8% at ISU.

Wheaton College vs. ISU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Wheaton College's six-year graduation rate (87%) is higher than Iowa State University's (68%).
• Graduates from Wheaton College earn a median of about $600 more per year than ISU graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,300 vs. $53,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wheaton College graduates have a $1,368 lower median loan debt than ISU graduates ($22,500 vs. $23,868).
• Among borrowers, Wheaton College graduates have an estimated $14 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ISU graduates ($232 vs. $246).
• More Wheaton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ISU students, three years after graduation. (90% vs. 74%)

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.