Iowa Wesleyan University vs Olivet Nazarene University
Iowa Wesleyan University and Olivet Nazarene University, both located in the Midwest, offer distinct educational experiences for prospective students. Iowa Wesleyan, a private university in Mount Pleasant, Iowa, boasts a higher acceptance rate (75%) compared to Olivet Nazarene's 67%. Olivet Nazarene, situated in Bourbonnais, Illinois, is affiliated with the Church of the Nazarene and offers a faith-based learning environment. While Iowa Wesleyan excels in the fields of business, education, and psychology, Olivet Nazarene specializes in nursing, business, and social work. With a larger student body, Olivet Nazarene fosters a diverse community, while Iowa Wesleyan's smaller size allows for a more personalized learning experience. Both universities boast impressive graduation rates, with Iowa Wesleyan at 56% and Olivet Nazarene at 54%. Explore the detailed comparison table below to discover more key differences and make an informed decision about your academic journey.
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![]() Iowa Wesleyan University |
![]() Olivet Nazarene University |
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Overview |
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Location | Mount Pleasant, Iowa | Bourbonnais, Illinois |
Campus setting | Town: Remote | Suburb: Small |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 51.0% | 78.0% |
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No | No |
Religious affiliation | Methodism | Evangelical |
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 81.9% | 60.6% |
Application fees | $25 | |
SAT range | 820 - 1020 | 970 - 1200 |
ACT range | 15 - 20 | 19 - 26 |
Students submitting SAT score | 9.0% | 39.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 22.0% | 26.0% |
Total number of applicants | 3,934 | 5,881 |
Total number of admissions given out | 3,222 | 3,561 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 267 | 661 |
Yield rate | 8.3% | 18.6% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Not 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 | $42,840 | $51,840 |
Average net price | $34,988 | $20,431 |
Tuition | $32,550 | $36,450 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$4,410
Meal plan:
$6,930
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$9,490 |
Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
97.0%
Average amount $12,333 |
100.0%
Average amount $28,396 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
92.0%
Average amount $4,286 |
78.0%
Average amount $5,436 |
Students taking out private loans |
7.0%
Average amount $6,430 |
11.0%
Average amount $12,187 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
758
Men 57.9% Women 42.1% |
2,643
Men 42.6% Women 57.4% |
Graduate students |
67
Men 52.2% Women 47.8% |
819
Men 23.0% Women 77.0% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Moderate
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Low
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Out-of-state students | N/A | N/A |
International students | 11.3% | 1.3% |
Campus local/setting | Town: Remote | Suburb: Small |
Dormitory capacity | 568 | 2,479 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | N/A | N/A |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 12:1 | 15:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 22.5% | 63.8% |
Dropout rate | 32.5% | 35.9% |
Transferred out | 44.2% | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Graduate/Professional Certificates)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Education, Other (Doctoral Degrees)
Engineering, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language (Graduate/Professional Certificates)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Curriculum and Instruction (Master's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Master's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
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