IWU Admission Requirements

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Bloomington, IL
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#4 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

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IWU Admission Overview

IWU admission requirements are highly competitive, with one of the lowest admission rates in Illinois. Last year IWU admitted 39.3% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.86 GPA (A) and SAT 1120-1340 / ACT 25-30. IWU is test-optional, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

IWU is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT or ACT.

Source: IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

IWU Acceptance Rate

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Acceptance rate

39.3%

Admission Standards

Difficult

Applicant Competition

High

Very Low

Low

Average

High

Very High

Extreme

Acceptance Rate

The IWU acceptance rate is 39.3%. Last year, 3,757 of 9,558 applicants were admitted. That is the 4th lowest acceptance rate in Illinois and the 152nd lowest in the nation.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into IWU and can you get accepted?

IWU is a highly competitive school to get into, admitting fewer than half of applicants. You have a moderate chance of acceptance if you meet last year's profile.

Illinois Wesleyan University typically attracts "A" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.86. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top quarter of their high school class. 12% of those admitted chose to enroll.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

IWU GPA

GPA of enrolled freshmen

Avg. High School GPA

3.86

Typical High School Grades

Average GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.86

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0

Average GPA

Enrolled freshmen at IWU typically have around a 3.86 GPA (A) on a 4.0 scale. That is last year's class average, not a cutoff. Enrolled students typically have exceptionally good grades. IWU is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.

The school ranks #4 in Illinois for highest average GPA.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.9 GPA range.

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024

IWU SAT Scores

SAT scores of enrolled freshmen

SAT Range

1120-1340

Freshmen who sent SAT

21%

25th Percentile Scores

Reading 550
Math 570
Composite 1120

75th Percentile Scores

Reading 670
Math 670
Composite 1340

Average SAT

Enrolled testers at IWU typically score around a 1230 SAT (middle 50% 1120–1340) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 80th percentile nationally. IWU ranks #11 in the state of Illinois for highest average SAT composite score.

SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1120 to 1340

800 1000 1200 1400 1600

SAT policy

IWU is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT. If you send a score, it is considered.

View other colleges which accept students in the 1230 SAT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission. If you withhold SAT, skip this table.

SAT ranges vs last year's enrolled testers at Illinois Wesleyan University
SAT Score (1600 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
1340+	Above 75th	>55%
1230 to 1340	Avg +	39%-55%
1120 to 1230	Avg -	25%-39%
Below 1120	Below mid-50	<25%

What do these figures mean?

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

IWU ACT Scores

ACT scores among enrolled freshmen

ACT Range

25-30

Freshmen reporting ACT

10%

25th Percentile Scores

English 24
Math 25
Composite 25

75th Percentile Scores

English 30
Math 29
Composite 30

Average ACT

Incoming testers at IWU typically have around a 27 ACT (mid-50 25–30) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 85th percentile of ACT takers nationwide. IWU places #11 among colleges in Illinois for highest average ACT composite.

ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 25 to 30

1 9 18 27 36

ACT policy

You may apply to IWU without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.

See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 27.0 ACT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How ACT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares ACT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. They are not your individual odds. If you leave ACT off your application, you can skip this table.

ACT bands compared with last year's enrolled testers at Illinois Wesleyan University
ACT Score (36 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
30+	Above 75th	>58%
27 to 30	Avg +	39%-58%
25 to 27	Avg -	28%-39%
Below 25	Below mid-50	<28%

How to read these figures

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

High School Class Rank

Class Rank of Admitted Students

62% of Illinois Wesleyan University freshman are in the top twenty five percent of their high school graduating class and 35% are in the top ten percent.

High School Class Rank for admitted Illinois Wesleyan University students
High School Class Rank	Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class	35%
Top 25% of class	62%
Top 50% of class	87%

Data Source, Peterson's Data

Estimate How You Compare

See how your GPA and scores compare with last year's enrolled testers. You can mark that you will withhold scores.

Open the IWU chances calculator

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed in the table below.

Illinois Wesleyan University admission statistics
	Women	Men	Total
Applied	4,857	4,671	9,558
Accepted	2,241	1,496	3,757
Acceptance Rate	46%	32%	39%
Enrolled	248	209	461
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield)	11%	14%	12%

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Illinois Wesleyan University and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Illinois Wesleyan University application requirements
Requirement	Used for Admission
Test Scores	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
High School Class Rank	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Recommendations	Required to be considered for admission
Demonstration of Competencies	Required to be considered for admission

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Illinois Wesleyan University is $0. The school is free to apply to.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Credits Accepted

High school credits accepted at Illinois Wesleyan University
Credit Type	Accepted
AP Credit	Yes
Dual Credit	No
Credit for Life Experiences	No

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Admission summary

IWU is test-optional for 2024-25. Last year it admitted 39.3% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.86 GPA (about an A average). Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (1120-1340); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025