Illinois Wesleyan University (IWU) vs Wesleyan University
Nestled in the heart of the Midwest, Illinois Wesleyan University (IWU) and Wesleyan University in Connecticut share a common name but offer distinct educational experiences. IWU, a private liberal arts college, boasts a higher acceptance rate, making it more accessible to aspiring students. Wesleyan University, on the other hand, is a highly selective institution with a lower acceptance rate, attracting top academic performers. While both universities offer a diverse range of majors, IWU excels in nursing, business, and education, while Wesleyan University shines in the social sciences, humanities, and natural sciences. Explore the detailed comparison table to uncover further differences in student demographics, graduation rates, and other key factors that will help you make an informed decision about your academic journey.
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![]() Illinois Wesleyan University |
![]() Wesleyan University |
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Overview |
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Location | Bloomington, Illinois | Middletown, Connecticut |
Campus setting | City: Small | City: Small |
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% | 95.0% |
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Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 45.2% | 19.4% |
Application fees | $55 | |
SAT range | 1110 - 1310 | 1300 - 1510 |
ACT range | 24 - 29 | 31 - 34 |
Students submitting SAT score | 33.0% | 51.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 31.0% | 27.0% |
Total number of applicants | 4,543 | 13,067 |
Total number of admissions given out | 2,055 | 2,540 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 432 | 910 |
Yield rate | 21.0% | 35.8% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Not required | Not required |
Recommendation letters | Required | Required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $67,124 | $82,245 |
Average net price | $30,610 | $20,535 |
Tuition | $52,308 | $61,449 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$7,584
Meal plan:
$4,528
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$17,531 |
Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
100.0%
Average amount $34,810 |
40.0%
Average amount $58,925 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
68.0%
Average amount $5,692 |
18.0%
Average amount $3,834 |
Students taking out private loans |
35.0%
Average amount $6,781 |
2.0%
Average amount $27,881 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
1,653
Men 49.4% Women 50.6% |
3,385
Men 43.8% Women 56.2% |
Graduate students | N/A |
196
Men 42.3% Women 57.7% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
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Low
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Out-of-state students | N/A | 90.3% |
International students | 3.4% | 11.3% |
Campus local/setting | City: Small | City: Small |
Dormitory capacity | 1,308 | 3,063 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | Yes |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | N/A | New York California Connecticut New Jersey Pennsylvania |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 12:1 | 8:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | New England Commission on Higher Education |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 81.1% | 91.0% |
Dropout rate | 18.7% | 3.6% |
Transferred out | N/A | 5.3% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft (Bachelor's Degrees)
Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Music (Bachelor's Degrees)
Sociology (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Doctoral Degrees)
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Bachelor's Degrees)
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