Wesleyan University vs Hillsdale College

Wesleyan University and Hillsdale College, two distinct institutions of higher learning, offer contrasting educational experiences. Wesleyan, a liberal arts college in Middletown, Connecticut, boasts a diverse student body and a strong emphasis on critical thinking and social justice. In contrast, Hillsdale, a private liberal arts college in Hillsdale, Michigan, prides itself on its conservative values, classical education, and commitment to free speech. With acceptance rates of 13% and 44%, respectively, these colleges attract students with varying academic backgrounds and aspirations. While Wesleyan's popular majors include government, economics, and biology, Hillsdale students often pursue degrees in political science, economics, and history. Explore the comprehensive comparison table to delve into further details about these institutions, including student body demographics, graduation rates, and additional factors that may influence your college decision.
Hillsdale College logo

Hillsdale College

Wesleyan University logo

Wesleyan University

Overview

Location Hillsdale, Michigan Middletown, Connecticut
Campus setting Town: Distant City: Small
College type 4 year 4 year
Control/business model Private (Non Profit) Private (Non Profit)
Calendar system Semester Semester
Degrees offered Undergraduate and Graduate Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate 94.0% 95.0%
Common app member Yes Yes
Religious affiliation Undenominational

Admission

Acceptance rate 23.7% 19.4%
Application fees
Undergraduate: $35

Graduate: $25
$55
SAT range 1340 - 1510 1300 - 1510
ACT range 30 - 34 31 - 34
Students submitting SAT score 22.0% 51.0%
Students submitting ACT score 38.0% 27.0%
Total number of applicants 2,994 13,067
Total number of admissions given out 709 2,540
Admitted students who chose to enroll 397 910
Yield rate 56.0% 35.8%
Test scores (SAT/ACT) N/A N/A
High school GPA Required Not required
Recommendation letters Required Required
High school transcript Not required Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) Not required Required

Tuition and Fees

Sticker price $45,382 $82,245
Average net price $24,057 $20,535
Tuition $28,730 $61,449
Room & board
Room/dormitory: $6,020

Meal plan: $6,120
$17,531
Available payment plans
  • Tuition payment plan
  • Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid

Students receiving financial aid

(Grants & scholarships)

100.0%
Average amount $20,535
40.0%
Average amount $58,925
Students receiving federal student loan 0.0%
Average amount $0
18.0%
Average amount $3,834
Students taking out private loans 34.0%
Average amount $10,497
2.0%
Average amount $27,881

Students and Campus

Undergraduate students 1,515
Men 50.6% Women 49.4%
3,385
Men 43.8% Women 56.2%
Graduate students 87
Men 67.8% Women 32.2%
196
Men 42.3% Women 57.7%
Racial/ethnic diversity N/A
Low
Out-of-state students N/A 90.3%
International students N/A 11.3%
Campus local/setting Town: Distant City: Small
Dormitory capacity 1,124 3,063
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 Connecticut New Jersey Pennsylvania

Academics

Popular study areas
  • Business
  • Social Sciences
  • Biological and Biomedical Sciences
  • Foreign Languages and Literatures
  • Kinesiology & Leisure Studies
  • Social Sciences
  • Psychology
  • Ethnic Studies
  • Visual & Performing Arts
  • Physical Science
Students to faculty ratio 8:1 8:1
Institutional accreditation Higher Learning Commission New England Commission on Higher Education

Outcome

Graduation rate 87.6% 91.0%
Dropout rate 8.3% 3.6%
Transferred out 3.9% 5.3%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) N/A
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Doctoral Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $53,775
  • Year 3: $53,847
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $38,232
  • Year 2: $36,334
  • Year 3: $45,541