Illinois Wesleyan University (IWU) vs Saint Ambrose University
Illinois Wesleyan University and Saint Ambrose University, both esteemed institutions of higher learning, offer distinct educational experiences. Illinois Wesleyan, a private liberal arts college, boasts a lower acceptance rate and a higher graduation rate compared to Saint Ambrose, a private Catholic university. While Illinois Wesleyan's student body is predominantly White, Saint Ambrose's student body is more diverse. Both universities offer a range of popular majors, including Business, Education, and Nursing, but Illinois Wesleyan has a stronger focus on the liberal arts. To help you make an informed decision about your academic journey, we've compiled a comprehensive comparison table highlighting key differences between these two universities. Explore the table to discover which institution aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Illinois Wesleyan University |
![]() Saint Ambrose University |
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Overview |
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Location | Bloomington, Illinois | Davenport, Iowa |
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% | 75.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | Catholic | |
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 45.2% | 72.4% |
Application fees | ||
SAT range | 1110 - 1310 | 1030 - 1190 |
ACT range | 24 - 29 | 20 - 27 |
Students submitting SAT score | 33.0% | 21.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 31.0% | 34.0% |
Total number of applicants | 4,543 | 4,005 |
Total number of admissions given out | 2,055 | 2,900 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 432 | 493 |
Yield rate | 21.0% | 17.0% |
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 |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $67,124 | $51,924 |
Average net price | $30,610 | $24,844 |
Tuition | $52,308 | $33,290 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$7,584
Meal plan:
$4,528
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Room/dormitory:
$7,196
Meal plan:
$4,442
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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 |
100.0%
Average amount $22,790 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
68.0%
Average amount $5,692 |
70.0%
Average amount $5,278 |
Students taking out private loans |
35.0%
Average amount $6,781 |
18.0%
Average amount $14,015 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
1,653
Men 49.4% Women 50.6% |
2,228
Men 45.3% Women 54.7% |
Graduate students | N/A |
685
Men 27.7% Women 72.3% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
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Low
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Out-of-state students | N/A | 63.9% |
International students | 3.4% | 2.0% |
Campus local/setting | City: Small | City: Midsize |
Dormitory capacity | 1,308 | 1,688 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | N/A | Illinois Iowa California Missouri Indiana |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 12:1 | 12:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 81.1% | 64.4% |
Dropout rate | 18.7% | 15.9% |
Transferred out | N/A | 19.7% |
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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Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Master's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services (Master's Degrees)
Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Marketing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Criminal Justice and Corrections (Bachelor's Degrees)
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