Illinois Wesleyan University (IWU) vs North Central

Envision yourself pursuing higher education at two esteemed institutions in Illinois: Illinois Wesleyan University and North Central College. While both offer exceptional academic experiences, they possess distinct characteristics that may influence your decision. Illinois Wesleyan, a private university, boasts a lower acceptance rate, indicating a more selective admissions process. North Central College, on the other hand, is a private, not-for-profit institution with a higher acceptance rate, making it more accessible to a broader range of students. Explore the comparison table to delve into further details, such as popular majors, student body demographics, and graduation rates, to determine which institution aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.

	Illinois Wesleyan University	North Central College
Overview
Location	Bloomington, Illinois	Naperville, Illinois
Campus setting	City: Small	City: Midsize
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Private (Non Profit)	Private (Non Profit)
Calendar system	4-1-4	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	85.0%	77.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation		Methodism

Admission
Acceptance rate	45.2%	68.4%
Application fees		$25
SAT range	1110 - 1310	1030 - 1230
ACT range	24 - 29	22 - 28
Students submitting SAT score	33.0%	43.0%
Students submitting ACT score	31.0%	17.0%
Total number of applicants	4,543	4,551
Total number of admissions given out	2,055	3,113
Admitted students who chose to enroll	432	512
Yield rate	21.0%	16.4%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Not required	Required
Recommendation letters	Required	Not required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	$67,124	$61,098
Average net price	$30,610	$26,207
Tuition	$52,308	$42,026
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $7,584 Meal plan: $4,528	Room/dormitory: $7,998 Meal plan: $3,890
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	100.0% Average amount $34,810	100.0% Average amount $28,670
Students receiving federal student loan	68.0% Average amount $5,692	60.0% Average amount $5,156
Students taking out private loans	35.0% Average amount $6,781	25.0% Average amount $6,992

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	1,653 Men 49.4% Women 50.6%	2,404 Men 48.4% Women 51.6%
Graduate students	N/A	324 Men 29.3% Women 70.7%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Low
Out-of-state students	N/A	26.8%
International students	3.4%	3.7%
Campus local/setting	City: Small	City: Midsize
Dormitory capacity	1,308	1,333
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	N/A	Illinois Wisconsin Indiana Ohio Michigan

Academics
Popular study areas	Business Biological and Biomedical Sciences Health Professions Education Visual & Performing Arts	Business Education Kinesiology & Leisure Studies Health Professions Visual & Performing Arts
Students to faculty ratio	12:1	13:1
Institutional accreditation	Higher Learning Commission	Higher Learning Commission

Outcome
Graduation rate	81.1%	64.4%
Dropout rate	18.7%	35.1%
Transferred out	N/A	N/A
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $57,305 Year 2: $53,358 Year 3: $77,743 Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $61,838 Year 2: $62,792 Year 3: $73,001 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $66,460 Year 2: $62,775 Year 3: $69,764 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $45,302 Year 2: $50,356 Year 3: $56,336 Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $26,739 Year 3: $46,139 Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $32,272 Year 2: $31,314 Year 3: $39,988 Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $18,075 Year 2: $20,140 Year 3: $30,321 Economics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $61,516 Year 3: N/A Music (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $27,439 Year 3: N/A Sociology (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $36,674 Year 3: N/A	Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $52,561 Year 2: $63,501 Year 3: $74,669 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $63,155 Year 2: $62,260 Year 3: $71,061 Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $43,815 Year 2: $58,921 Year 3: $66,245 Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $54,117 Year 2: $46,478 Year 3: $64,795 Human Resources Management and Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $39,621 Year 2: $45,305 Year 3: $51,292 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $44,923 Year 2: $43,240 Year 3: $50,109 Marketing (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $42,795 Year 2: $43,000 Year 3: $49,516 Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $42,391 Year 2: $42,682 Year 3: $47,721 Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $41,154 Year 2: $45,584 Year 3: $46,743 Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $41,411 Year 2: $40,441 Year 3: $44,647

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the primary academic differences between Illinois Wesleyan University (IWU) and North Central College (NCC)?

Illinois Wesleyan University is known for its strong liberal arts focus and emphasis on undergraduate research, particularly in the sciences and humanities. It offers a more intimate learning environment with a lower student-to-faculty ratio. North Central College, while also offering a broad liberal arts curriculum, has a greater emphasis on pre-professional programs, such as business, education, and nursing. NCC also provides more graduate programs than IWU.
How do the campus environments of IWU and NCC compare?

IWU boasts a more traditional, residential campus setting with a close-knit community feel. It's located in Bloomington, Illinois, a mid-sized city. North Central College is situated in Naperville, Illinois, a larger and more suburban city, and its campus is integrated within the city, offering a blend of traditional and urban environments. NCC's campus is also larger than IWU's.
What are the typical student profiles at Illinois Wesleyan and North Central College?

IWU attracts students seeking a rigorous liberal arts education and a strong sense of community. Students are often highly engaged in extracurricular activities and research. NCC draws a diverse student body, including a significant number of first-generation college students. NCC students are often focused on career preparation and practical experience.
How do the costs of attendance at IWU and NCC compare?

The tuition and fees at both institutions are comparable, but can vary slightly year to year. Financial aid packages, including scholarships and grants, are available at both schools. It's recommended to check the most recent tuition and fee information on each college's website and compare the financial aid offers you receive.
What are the strengths of the athletic programs at Illinois Wesleyan and North Central College?

Both IWU and NCC are members of the NCAA Division III. IWU has a strong athletic tradition, particularly in football, basketball, and baseball. North Central College is known for its exceptional athletic programs, especially in football and track and field, with a history of national championships. NCC has a larger athletic department with more teams.
How do the career services and internship opportunities differ at IWU and NCC?

Both universities offer career services to assist students with internships and job placement. IWU emphasizes its strong alumni network and provides personalized career counseling. NCC has a robust career services department with a focus on connecting students with internships and job opportunities in the Chicago metropolitan area, given its proximity.
What is the student life like at Illinois Wesleyan and North Central College?

IWU fosters a close-knit community with numerous student organizations, clubs, and activities. The campus culture is centered around student involvement and engagement. NCC offers a vibrant student life with a wide range of clubs, organizations, and social events, taking advantage of its location in a larger city with more off-campus opportunities.
Which college is better for a student interested in pre-med or pre-law?

Both institutions offer strong pre-med and pre-law programs. IWU's rigorous liberal arts curriculum provides a solid foundation for these fields, with a focus on critical thinking and analytical skills. NCC's pre-professional programs are also well-regarded, with a focus on practical experience and preparation for professional school. The best choice depends on the student's preferred learning environment and specific program requirements.
How does the size of the student body impact the college experience at IWU and NCC?

IWU, with its smaller student body, offers a more intimate learning environment where students often have closer relationships with faculty and staff. NCC, being larger, provides a broader range of academic programs, extracurricular activities, and social opportunities. Students at NCC may experience a greater sense of anonymity compared to IWU.
What are the key differences in the location and surrounding communities of IWU and NCC?

IWU is located in Bloomington, Illinois, a mid-sized city with a more traditional college-town atmosphere. The cost of living is generally lower in Bloomington. NCC is situated in Naperville, Illinois, a larger and more affluent suburb of Chicago. Naperville offers more access to cultural events, job opportunities, and a wider range of amenities, but the cost of living is higher.

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