Admit rate has ranged 42%–61% over the last 5 years — notably volatile. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.
Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.
Illinois Wesleyan University is a small, selective liberal arts college where nearly every student gets financial aid, 93% graduate on time, and 99% land jobs or grad school spots within months of graduation. With an intimate 11:1 student-faculty ratio and over 80 majors spanning from neuroscience to musical theatre, IWU combines Midwestern pragmatism with intellectual ambition—producing graduates who earn $58K starting salaries while staying deeply connected to campus traditions.
Admission requirements
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Required
High school transcript
Letters of recommendation
Demonstrated competencies
TOEFL (non-native English)
Considered (not required)
Grade point average
Class rank
Test scores (SAT/ACT)
College-prep program
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
More details
Undergrad enrollment
1,582
In-state tuition
$57,704
Out-of-state tuition
$57,704
Location
Bloomington, IL
Student Orgs
100+
Acceptance Rate
39%
4-Year Grad Rate
93%
Avg Starting Salary
$58,132
Student-Faculty Ratio
11:1
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$70,871
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
2.5×
Median debt at graduation
$27,000
Graduation rate
75%
First-year retention
80%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
84%
Pell (lower-income) share
31%
First-generation share
18%
Endowment / student
$161,731
Financial health
2.6 / 3.0Meets the federal financial-responsibility standard
U.S. Dept. of Education Financial Responsibility Composite Score (FY2022-23). Scale −1.0 to 3.0; ≥1.5 meets the standard. Reported for private nonprofit & for-profit institutions only — public universities are state-backed and not scored, so this is a stability signal, not a ranking.
Top-earning majors
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Accounting and Related Services$62,792
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing$62,775
Economics$61,516
Finance and Financial Management Services$53,358
Business Administration, Management and Operations$50,356
Mathematics
Campus & location
Campus safety
On-campus violent crimes (2024)
3
Per 1,000 students
1.90
On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.
Climate
Pleasant days / yr
90
Summer high
83°F
Winter low
23°F
Annual rain
41.6"
Annual snow
22.3"
Natural-hazard risk
Relatively Moderate
Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.
Deep dive — research, future-scholar output & economic mobility▾
Research output
Institutional h-index
110
Scholarly works
7,639
Institutional research volume and impact from OpenAlex. The h-index reflects large research universities and will be low for teaching-focused liberal-arts colleges — not a measure of undergraduate quality.
Economic mobility
Mobility rate
1.1%
Bottom → top quintile
54%
From bottom quintile
2%
Mobility rate = the share of students who both start in the bottom household-income quintile and reach the top quintile; bottom → top is that chance conditional on starting at the bottom. Source: Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Cards (Chetty, Friedman, Saez, Turner & Yagan). Reflects 1980–82 birth cohorts, so it’s directional, not current.
Quick answers
What is the acceptance rate at Illinois Wesleyan University?
Illinois Wesleyan University's acceptance rate is approximately 39% (Bloomington, IL), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
What SAT score do you need for Illinois Wesleyan University?
Admitted students at Illinois Wesleyan University typically score 1120–1340 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
How much does Illinois Wesleyan University cost?
At Illinois Wesleyan University, the average net price (after aid) is about $28,199 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend Illinois Wesleyan University?
Illinois Wesleyan University enrolls approximately 1,582 undergraduate students.
Where is Illinois Wesleyan University located?
Illinois Wesleyan University is located in Bloomington, IL.
Admissions
Getting into Illinois Wesleyan is competitive but not cutthroat, with a 39% Acceptance rateThe share of applicants a college admits in a given year. A 10% acceptance rate means it admits about 1 in 10 applicants. that filters for students with strong academic records. The middle 50% of admitted students boast ACT scores between 25-30 and SAT scores ranging from 1120-1320, with an average high school GPA of 3.82. About 11,195 applications were received recently, with 5,434 accepted—but only about 1,582 typically enroll, suggesting many admitted students choose larger universities. Test scores are required, and the admissions process weighs both academic rigor and extracurricular engagement heavily.
IWU's academic punch belies its small size, offering 80+ majors across liberal arts and pre-professional programs—including standouts in neuroscience, music theatre, and a rare undergraduate nursing program. The 11:1 student-faculty ratio means seminar-style classes dominate, with professors praised as 'brilliant and accessible' (The Princeton Review) who bring 'exuberance for their subject areas.' About 8% of students major in social sciences, 7% in education, and 5% each in computer science and physical sciences. Unique offerings include eight pre-professional tracks (pre-med, pre-law) and licensure programs for future teachers. Students rave about undergrad research opportunities—one Reddit user noted 'countless opportunities for research, study abroad, and internships.'
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by one year’s net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.
$44,356
Education, General$43,426
Natural Resources Conservation and Research$42,682
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings). Figures cover graduates who received federal aid and lag ~2 years; not all programs report data.
Life at IWU revolves around tight-knit traditions and 100+ student organizations, from a nationally ranked debate team to quirky clubs like the 'Puppy Party Committee.' The campus culture office actively fosters inclusivity, with students reporting it's 'very easy to find your group' (Niche) through orientation activities and small classes. Bloomington-Normal—ranked among the best college towns—offers coffee shops and concerts, but most socializing happens on campus: 80% of students live in dorms, creating a 'vibrant community where everyone knows each other' (YouTube campus tour). Greek life exists but doesn’t dominate, with about 30% of students joining fraternities or sororities.
IWU delivers exceptional ROI: 93% graduate on time (vs. ~64% national average for private colleges), and 99% of 2025 grads were employed or in grad school within months. The average starting salary is $58,132, rising to a median of $56,082 six years post-graduation (College Scorecard). Alumni networks are strong in Chicago and the Midwest, with particularly deep ties in education, healthcare, and business. The 80% first-year retention rate signals student satisfaction, and the four-year graduation rate of 66% far exceeds similar institutions. Pre-professional tracks YieldThe share of admitted students who actually choose to enroll. Colleges watch it closely, which is why some weigh how interested you seem. especially strong results—nearly 85% of pre-med students gain med school acceptance, triple the national average.
While sticker shock is real ($31,310 Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. after aid), 100% of traditional undergrads receive scholarships or grants, covering over half of tuition on average. The average aid package totals ~$31K, with merit scholarships (not just need-based) playing a major role. The net price calculator helps families estimate costs, but typical out-of-pocket expenses range from $15K–$25K annually after aid. Compared to peer liberal arts colleges, IWU is moderately priced but delivers higher-than-average earnings—alumni median salaries outpace 70% of U.S. colleges ten years out.
Illinois Wesleyan is the rare liberal arts college that merges Midwestern practicality with intellectual daring. Its 'AND University' ethos (academics AND arts AND athletics) shows in polymathic students who double-major in fields like biology and music. The tiny campus fosters intense mentorship—students collaborate with professors on NASA-funded research or perform in Tony-winning musicals. Yet outcomes are relentlessly career-focused: 99% employment rates, $58K starting salaries, and med/law school placements that rival Ivy League pipelines. For students who want close faculty relationships without sacrificing professional prospects, IWU is a hidden gem.
