Illinois Wesleyan University (IWU) vs Wake Forest University (WFU)

Envision yourself as a student, embarking on a journey of higher education. As you navigate the vast landscape of universities, two prominent institutions emerge: Illinois Wesleyan University and Wake Forest University. While both offer exceptional academic experiences, they possess distinct characteristics that may influence your decision. Illinois Wesleyan, a private liberal arts college, boasts a tight-knit community and a focus on undergraduate education, while Wake Forest, a private research university, offers a broader range of academic programs and opportunities for graduate study. Dive into our comprehensive comparison table to explore the nuances that set these universities apart, including acceptance rates, popular majors, student body demographics, and graduation rates. Discover which institution aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences, ensuring a fulfilling and transformative college experience.
Illinois Wesleyan University logo

Illinois Wesleyan University

Wake Forest University logo

Wake Forest University

Overview

Location Bloomington, Illinois Winston-Salem, North Carolina
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% 94.0%
Common app member Yes No
Religious affiliation

Admission

Acceptance rate 45.2% 25.2%
Application fees
Undergraduate: $85

Graduate: $80
SAT range 1110 - 1310 N/A
ACT range 24 - 29 N/A
Students submitting SAT score 33.0%
Students submitting ACT score 31.0%
Total number of applicants 4,543 15,156
Total number of admissions given out 2,055 3,816
Admitted students who chose to enroll 432 1,412
Yield rate 21.0% 37.0%
Test scores (SAT/ACT) N/A N/A
High school GPA Not required Required
Recommendation letters Required Required
High school transcript Not required Required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) Required Required

Tuition and Fees

Sticker price $67,124 $79,886
Average net price $30,610 $24,643
Tuition $52,308 $58,708
Room & board
Room/dormitory: $7,584

Meal plan: $4,528
Room/dormitory: $10,144

Meal plan: $7,870
Available payment plans
  • Tuition payment plan
  • Prepaid tuition plan
  • Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid

Students receiving financial aid

(Grants & scholarships)

100.0%
Average amount $34,810
33.0%
Average amount $53,244
Students receiving federal student loan 68.0%
Average amount $5,692
17.0%
Average amount $4,985
Students taking out private loans 35.0%
Average amount $6,781
3.0%
Average amount $32,719

Students and Campus

Undergraduate students 1,653
Men 49.4% Women 50.6%
5,472
Men 45.7% Women 54.3%
Graduate students N/A 3,475
Men 42.4% Women 57.6%
Racial/ethnic diversity
Low
Low
Out-of-state students N/A N/A
International students 3.4% 9.8%
Campus local/setting City: Small City: Midsize
Dormitory capacity 1,308 4,152
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

Academics

Popular study areas
  • Business
  • Biological and Biomedical Sciences
  • Health Professions
  • Education
  • Visual & Performing Arts
  • Business
  • Health Professions
  • Legal Profession
  • Education
  • Biological and Biomedical Sciences
Students to faculty ratio 12:1 10:1
Institutional accreditation Higher Learning Commission Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Outcome

Graduation rate 81.1% 90.2%
Dropout rate 18.7% 9.5%
Transferred out N/A N/A
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)
Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $57,305
  • Year 2: $53,358
  • Year 3: $77,743
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $61,838
  • Year 2: $62,792
  • Year 3: $73,001
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $66,460
  • Year 2: $62,775
  • Year 3: $69,764
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $45,302
  • Year 2: $50,356
  • Year 3: $56,336
Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $26,739
  • Year 3: $46,139
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $32,272
  • Year 2: $31,314
  • Year 3: $39,988
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $18,075
  • Year 2: $20,140
  • Year 3: $30,321
Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $61,516
  • Year 3: N/A
Music (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $27,439
  • Year 3: N/A
Sociology (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $36,674
  • Year 3: N/A
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $169,430
  • Year 2: N/A
  • Year 3: $155,438
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $96,143
  • Year 2: $96,587
  • Year 3: $105,398
Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $73,169
  • Year 2: $80,510
  • Year 3: $96,761
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $86,086
  • Year 2: $76,836
  • Year 3: $93,939
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $70,098
  • Year 2: $71,015
  • Year 3: $89,902
Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $61,076
  • Year 2: $65,145
  • Year 3: $79,400
Business/Commerce, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $65,533
  • Year 2: $66,653
  • Year 3: $76,702
Law (First Professional Degrees)
  • Year 1: $58,731
  • Year 2: $60,811
  • Year 3: $72,065
Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $57,100
  • Year 2: $55,693
  • Year 3: $70,717
Medicine (First Professional Degrees)
  • Year 1: $56,086
  • Year 2: $57,411
  • Year 3: $65,270

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