Illinois Wesleyan University (IWU) vs Swarthmore
Illinois Wesleyan University and Swarthmore College, both esteemed institutions of higher learning, offer distinct educational experiences. Illinois Wesleyan, a private liberal arts university in Bloomington, Illinois, boasts a 68% acceptance rate and a diverse student body, with 48% female and 52% male students. Swarthmore, a private liberal arts college in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, has a highly selective admissions process with a 10% acceptance rate and a more balanced gender ratio, with 49% female and 51% male students. While Illinois Wesleyan is known for its strong programs in nursing, business, and education, Swarthmore excels in engineering, social sciences, and natural sciences. Both institutions offer a vibrant campus life with various student organizations and activities. To help you make an informed decision, we've compiled a comprehensive comparison table highlighting key differences between these two exceptional institutions. Dive into the details and discover which university aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences
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![]() Illinois Wesleyan University |
![]() Swarthmore College |
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Overview |
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Location | Bloomington, Illinois | Swarthmore, Pennsylvania |
Campus setting | City: Small | Suburb: Large |
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 |
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% | 7.8% |
Application fees | $60 | |
SAT range | 1110 - 1310 | 1430 - 1560 |
ACT range | 24 - 29 | 33 - 35 |
Students submitting SAT score | 33.0% | 39.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 31.0% | 21.0% |
Total number of applicants | 4,543 | 13,012 |
Total number of admissions given out | 2,055 | 1,013 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 432 | 454 |
Yield rate | 21.0% | 44.8% |
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 | Not required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $67,124 | $75,793 |
Average net price | $30,610 | $19,733 |
Tuition | $52,308 | $55,856 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$7,584
Meal plan:
$4,528
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Room/dormitory:
$8,796
Meal plan:
$8,354
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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 |
76.0%
Average amount $40,072 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
68.0%
Average amount $5,692 |
6.0%
Average amount $5,191 |
Students taking out private loans |
35.0%
Average amount $6,781 |
1.0%
Average amount $30,543 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
1,653
Men 49.4% Women 50.6% |
1,651
Men 49.7% Women 50.3% |
Graduate students | N/A | N/A |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
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Moderate
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Out-of-state students | N/A | 89.9% |
International students | 3.4% | 15.4% |
Campus local/setting | City: Small | Suburb: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 1,308 | 1,605 |
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 Pennsylvania New Jersey Texas |
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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 | Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 81.1% | 94.1% |
Dropout rate | 18.7% | 5.7% |
Transferred out | N/A | N/A |
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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Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees)
Education, Other (Bachelor's Degrees)
Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Engineering, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mathematics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
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