Illinois Wesleyan University (IWU) vs Washington and Lee

Envision yourself pursuing higher education at either Illinois Wesleyan University or Washington and Lee University, two esteemed institutions with distinct characteristics. Illinois Wesleyan, a private liberal arts college in Bloomington, Illinois, boasts a higher acceptance rate, making it more accessible to a broader range of students. Washington and Lee, a private liberal arts and sciences university in Lexington, Virginia, offers a more selective admissions process, resulting in a smaller student body. While both universities excel in the humanities and social sciences, Illinois Wesleyan is known for its strong programs in nursing and business, while Washington and Lee is renowned for its pre-law and journalism programs. Explore the detailed comparison table to delve into further differences, including graduation rates, student demographics, and financial aid options, and make an informed decision that aligns with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
Illinois Wesleyan University logo

Illinois Wesleyan University

Washington and Lee University logo

Washington and Lee University

Overview

Location Bloomington, Illinois Lexington, Virginia
Campus setting City: Small Town: Distant
College type 4 year 4 year
Control/business model Private (Non Profit) Private (Non Profit)
Calendar system 4-1-4 4-1-4
Degrees offered Undergraduate Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate 85.0% 96.0%
Common app member Yes Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission

Acceptance rate 45.2% 18.8%
Application fees $60
SAT range 1110 - 1310 1410 - 1530
ACT range 24 - 29 32 - 35
Students submitting SAT score 33.0% 26.0%
Students submitting ACT score 31.0% 32.0%
Total number of applicants 4,543 6,621
Total number of admissions given out 2,055 1,248
Admitted students who chose to enroll 432 484
Yield rate 21.0% 38.8%
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

Tuition and Fees

Sticker price $67,124 $80,300
Average net price $30,610 $26,063
Tuition $52,308 $58,260
Room & board
Room/dormitory: $7,584

Meal plan: $4,528
Room/dormitory: $8,600

Meal plan: $7,670
Available payment plans
  • Tuition payment plan
  • Tuition payment plan
  • Other alternative tuition plan

Financial Aid

Students receiving financial aid

(Grants & scholarships)

100.0%
Average amount $34,810
56.0%
Average amount $51,537
Students receiving federal student loan 68.0%
Average amount $5,692
13.0%
Average amount $4,878
Students taking out private loans 35.0%
Average amount $6,781
6.0%
Average amount $25,474

Students and Campus

Undergraduate students 1,653
Men 49.4% Women 50.6%
1,857
Men 48.7% Women 51.3%
Graduate students N/A 381
Men 48.8% Women 51.2%
Racial/ethnic diversity
Low
Low
Out-of-state students N/A 81.2%
International students 3.4% 5.0%
Campus local/setting City: Small Town: Distant
Dormitory capacity 1,308 1,520
First year students are required to live on campus? No Yes
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from N/A Virginia North Carolina Texas New York Georgia

Academics

Popular study areas
  • Business
  • Biological and Biomedical Sciences
  • Health Professions
  • Education
  • Visual & Performing Arts
  • Legal Profession
  • Social Sciences
  • Biological and Biomedical Sciences
  • Foreign Languages and Literatures
  • Physical Science
Students to faculty ratio 12:1 8:1
Institutional accreditation Higher Learning Commission Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Outcome

Graduation rate 81.1% 93.6%
Dropout rate 18.7% 6.2%
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
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $56,231
  • Year 2: $56,641
  • Year 3: $85,103
Law (First Professional Degrees)
  • Year 1: $63,586
  • Year 2: $72,642
  • Year 3: $83,304
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $66,449
  • Year 3: $79,551
Mathematics (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $76,460
  • Year 3: $69,951
Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $51,643
  • Year 2: $55,964
  • Year 3: $68,713
Journalism (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $42,682
  • Year 3: $54,059
Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $47,231
  • Year 2: $41,007
  • Year 3: $45,285
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $91,744
  • Year 3: N/A
English Language and Literature, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $37,593
  • Year 3: N/A
History (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $30,409
  • Year 3: N/A

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