Willamette University vs Wheaton College
Willamette University and Wheaton College, both esteemed institutions of higher learning, offer distinct educational experiences. Willamette, a private liberal arts university in Salem, Oregon, boasts a 68% acceptance rate and a diverse student body, with 48% female and 52% male students. Wheaton, a private Christian liberal arts college in Wheaton, Illinois, has a more selective admissions process, with a 38% acceptance rate, and a predominantly female student body, with 61% female and 39% male students. While both institutions offer a wide range of undergraduate programs, Willamette is known for its strengths in the liberal arts and sciences, while Wheaton is recognized for its strong programs in the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. Explore the detailed comparison table below to discover more about these institutions' unique characteristics and determine which one aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Wheaton College |
![]() Willamette University |
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Overview |
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Location | Wheaton, Illinois | Salem, Oregon |
Campus setting | Suburb: Large | City: Midsize |
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 | 89.0% | 80.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | Undenominational | |
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 86.3% | 79.6% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$50
Graduate:
$30
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SAT range | 1250 - 1430 | N/A |
ACT range | 27 - 32 | N/A |
Students submitting SAT score | 32.0% | |
Students submitting ACT score | 25.0% | |
Total number of applicants | 1,993 | 3,680 |
Total number of admissions given out | 1,719 | 2,930 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 546 | 260 |
Yield rate | 31.8% | 8.9% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Required | 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 | $54,700 | $60,106 |
Average net price | $28,319 | $37,400 |
Tuition | $40,570 | $43,500 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$6,640
Meal plan:
$4,660
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Room/dormitory:
$7,150
Meal plan:
$6,650
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
91.0%
Average amount $23,469 |
99.0%
Average amount $30,413 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
52.0%
Average amount $5,169 |
50.0%
Average amount $5,145 |
Students taking out private loans |
5.0%
Average amount $15,404 |
7.0%
Average amount $15,973 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
2,341
Men 44.9% Women 55.1% |
1,236
Men 42.2% Women 57.8% |
Graduate students |
706
Men 34.6% Women 65.4% |
549
Men 49.2% Women 50.8% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
|
Low
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Out-of-state students | N/A | N/A |
International students | 5.9% | 2.4% |
Campus local/setting | Suburb: Large | City: Midsize |
Dormitory capacity | 2,153 | 1,228 |
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 |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 11:1 | 12:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 87.6% | 72.0% |
Dropout rate | 3.1% | 28.0% |
Transferred out | 9.1% | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Business/Managerial Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Communication and Media Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology (Master's Degrees)
Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions (Master's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
Theological and Ministerial Studies (Master's Degrees)
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics (Bachelor's Degrees)
English Language and Literature, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Religious Education (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Law (First Professional Degrees)
Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees)
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Chemistry (Bachelor's Degrees)
Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Anthropology (Bachelor's Degrees)
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
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