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Illinois Wesleyan University

Illinois Wesleyan University

Bloomington, IL · City · 1,582 students
WebsiteCommon AppForbes rankingScorecard
Application deadlines: Check the admissions site
$28,199
Average net priceYour net price
2023-24
<30
30–48
48–75
75–110
110+
By household income — tap a bar
78%
Graduation rate
Entered fall 2017 & 2018
43% typical
$70,871
Earnings 10 years on
Measured 2020 & 2021
$45,606 typical
39%
Acceptance rate
Applied for fall 2024
75% typical · not scored
Accredited by Higher Learning Commission
About

Illinois Wesleyan University is an exclusively undergraduate institution renowned for seamlessly integrating a rigorous liberal arts education with powerhouse professional programs in nursing, musical theatre, pre-medicine, and business. A distinctive hallmark of the academic experience is the "May Term," an intensive four-week session dedicated to immersive on-campus research, community projects, or global travel. The campus culture is tight-knit and highly engaged, characterized by active participation in NCAA Division III athletics, vibrant performing arts, and direct mentorship from dedicated faculty. This combination of hands-on learning and personalized support drives the university's exceptionally strong post-graduation employment and graduate school placement rates.

Wikipedia:Illinois Wesleyan University is a private liberal arts college in Bloomington, Illinois, United States. Founded in 1850, the central portion of the present campus was acquired in 1854 with the first building erected in 1856.

Location
Bloomington, IL, 61702-2900 · City campus
✈
Nearest airport from college
MDW · Chicago Midway
110 mi away
Open in Google Maps
Cost & aid
Cost of attendance
YoursEveryone
Tuition & fees$57,704
Housing & food (on campus)$13,370
Books & supplies$800
Cost of attendance$78,348
Average net price$28,199
Same price for all students
Tuition & fees$57,704
Housing & food (on campus)$13,370
Books & supplies$800
Cost of attendance$78,348
Average net price$28,199
Source: U.S. College Scorecard · published total: www.iwu.edu
How it’s made up · 2026-27
Illinois Wesleyan University’s own figures for 2026-27, newer than the 2024-25 federal figures above, so the amounts differ.
Tuition$61,004
Housing$8,796
Food$5,644
Books & supplies$800
Personal expenses$1,700
Transportation$200
Total published by the school$78,348
Net price by family income · 2023-24
$0–30k
$17,732
$30–48k
$19,057
$48–75k
$23,152
$75–110k
$27,396
$110k+
$37,104
Merit aid · 2024-25
Awarded without financial need. Students with financial need can get merit awards too; they're counted as need-based aid.
Average award$32,651
First-years who got one106
Source: Illinois Wesleyan University's Common Data Set — the school's own yearly report of its admissions and aid figures.
Outcomes
Completion
Within 6 yrs
78%
Entered 2017–18
Within 4 yrs
66%
Back for yr 2
80%
Transferred
11%
8 yrs after starting · first-time, full-time students
82% graduated · 6% transferred · 13% left or unknown · none still enrolled
Earnings · measured 2020 & 2021
6 yrs after entry$56,082
10 yrs after entry$70,871
Debt
Median at graduation$27,000
Monthly payment$286
Middle 50% owe$16.3k–$27k
90th percentile$35,000
Green marks a figure above the typical Baccalaureate — diverse fields: 43% graduate within 6 yrs, $45,606 earned 10 yrs after entry.
Admissions
Getting in · applied for fall 2024
Admit rate
39%
Test policy
Test optional
Per College Scorecard
SAT average
1275
R 550–670 · M 570–670
ACT midpoint
27
Comp 25–30 · E 24–30 · M 25–29
SAT middle 50%: 1120–1340
40080012001600

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Essay prompts
How much essays count at Illinois Wesleyan University: Important (one of four levels: very important · important · considered · not considered)
Source: Illinois Wesleyan University's Common Data Set for 2024-25 — the school's own yearly report of its admissions and aid figures.

If Illinois Wesleyan University asks for supplemental essays, the prompts are in the Common App.

The personal essay is separate: see the Common App essay prompts.

Student Body
Gender
Men 50%Women 50%
Who enrolls
Faculty ratio
12 : 1
Pell grant
26%
First-gen
18%
Family income
$98,014
Age at entry
19.0
Part-time
0%
Race & ethnicity
White
64%
Hispanic
12%
Black
8%
Asian
6%
Two or more
3%
Non-resident
5%
Unknown
2%
Varsity sports
NCAA Division III with football · EADA 2024-25
  • Baseball
    Men's
  • Basketball
    Men's · Women's
  • Bowling
    Women's
  • Football
    Men's
  • Golf
    Men's · Women's
  • Lacrosse
    Men's · Women's
  • Soccer
    Men's · Women's
  • Softball
    Women's
  • Swimming and Diving (combined)
    Men's · Women's
  • Tennis
    Men's · Women's
  • Track and Field and Cross Country (combined)
    Men's · Women's
  • Volleyball
    Men's · Women's
  • Wrestling
    Men's · Women's
Programs & Earnings
Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings
Median earnings, all programs · measured 2020 & 2021
After 6 yrs
$56,082
After 10 yrs
$70,871
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing46
Business/Commerce, General36
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft33
Psychology, General25
Finance and Financial Management Services23
Biology, General19
Marketing16
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods15
Political Science and Government15
English Language and Literature, General12
Accounting and Related Services12
Computer Science11
Physics11
Fine and Studio Arts10
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness9
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics8
Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.
Institutional
Resources
Endowment
$256M
Full-time faculty
56%
Faculty salary
$8,828/mo
Teaching spend
$19,373
per student
Federal loans
63%
Classification
Carnegie type
Baccalaureate — diverse fields
Undergraduate profile
Four-year, selective admissions

Wondering if Illinois Wesleyan University is the right fit for you?

SchoolScout builds a personalized college list — reach, match, and safety schools — tailored to your profile, grades, and goals. Get financial aid estimates, scholarship guidance, and deep dives on every school.

Personalized reach / match / safety list
Financial aid & net cost estimates
Deep dives on any school
Scholarship search