Wheaton College vs. Iowa

Comparable Facts

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

University of Iowa is larger than Wheaton College based on total student enrollment (30,779 students vs. 2,874 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Wheaton College is located in Wheaton, IL (Large Suburban setting); University of Iowa is in Iowa City, IA (Small City setting).
• Wheaton College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Iowa is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Wheaton College 10:1; University of Iowa 16:1.

Wheaton College vs. Iowa Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Wheaton College or Iowa? 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 Iowa than Wheaton College ($21,765 vs. $31,356).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Iowa are 0.7% lower than at Wheaton College ($12,920 vs. $13,010).
• Wheaton College is 303.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Iowa (about $34,263 more per year; $45,546.00 vs. $11,283.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 36.5% higher at Wheaton College than at University of Iowa (about $12,175 more per year; $45,546.00 vs. $33,371.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wheaton College than at University of Iowa (98% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wheaton College students is 183.7% larger than aid received by University of Iowa students ($27,987 vs. $9,865).

Wheaton College vs. Iowa Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wheaton College (1370) is 140 points higher than at Iowa (1230).
• Incoming Wheaton College students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 24 at Iowa).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wheaton College 1260/1470; University of Iowa 1130/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wheaton College 28/32; University of Iowa 21/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Wheaton College - Test optional; Iowa - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Wheaton College Aug 1, 2027; Iowa May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Iowa students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at Wheaton College (3.75).
• Wheaton College has a higher acceptance rate (87.4%) than Iowa (83.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 29.9% at Wheaton College vs. 22.4% at Iowa.

Wheaton College vs. Iowa Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Wheaton College and Iowa? 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 University of Iowa's (71%).
• Graduates from University of Iowa earn a median of about $5,500 more per year than Wheaton College graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,800 vs. $54,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Iowa graduates have a $884 lower median loan debt than Wheaton College graduates ($21,616 vs. $22,500).
• Among borrowers, Iowa graduates have an estimated $9 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wheaton College graduates ($223 vs. $232).
• More Wheaton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Iowa students, three years after graduation. (90% vs. 70%)

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.