Whittier College vs. IWU

Comparable Facts

Compare Whittier College in Whittier, CA with Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, IL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Illinois Wesleyan University is larger than Whittier College based on total student enrollment (1,582 students vs. 795 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Whittier College is located in Whittier, CA (Large Suburban setting); Illinois Wesleyan University is in Bloomington, IL (Small City setting).
• Whittier College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Illinois Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Whittier College 8:1; Illinois Wesleyan University 12:1.

Whittier College vs. IWU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Whittier College 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 Whittier College than IWU ($28,101 vs. $28,644).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Illinois Wesleyan University are 21.7% lower than at Whittier College ($13,370 vs. $17,082).
• Illinois Wesleyan University is 12.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Whittier College (about $6,354 more per year; $57,704.00 vs. $51,350.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 12.4% higher at IWU than at Whittier College (about $6,354 more per year; $57,704.00 vs. $51,350.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Illinois Wesleyan University than at Whittier College (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Illinois Wesleyan University students is 16.6% larger than aid received by Whittier College students ($42,181 vs. $36,176).

Whittier College vs. IWU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Whittier College 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 Whittier College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Whittier College (1240) is 10 points higher than at IWU (1230).
• Incoming Whittier College students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 27) as students at IWU (27).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Whittier College 1140/1340; Illinois Wesleyan University 1120/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Whittier College 24/30; Illinois Wesleyan University 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Whittier College - Test-free; IWU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman IWU students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (3.86) than students at Whittier College (3.61).
• Whittier College has a higher acceptance rate (80.8%) than IWU (39.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 5.4% at Whittier College vs. 12.3% at IWU.

Whittier College vs. IWU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Whittier College 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).

• Illinois Wesleyan University's six-year graduation rate (82%) is higher than Whittier College's (55%).
• Graduates from Illinois Wesleyan University earn a median of about $13,100 more per year than Whittier College graduates about ten years after starting college ($60,500 vs. $47,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Whittier College graduates have a $1,500 lower median loan debt than IWU graduates ($25,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Whittier College graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than IWU graduates ($263 vs. $279).
• More IWU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Whittier College students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 69%)

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.