Illinois Wesleyan University vs Southwestern University

Illinois Wesleyan University and Southwestern University are both well-regarded institutions, but they differ in important ways. Here's how they compare across key dimensions.

Admissions: Southwestern University is more selective with a 39.1% acceptance rate compared to Illinois Wesleyan University's 45.2%. Average SAT scores are 1242 and 1269 respectively.

Cost: Southwestern University offers a lower average net price at $27,468, which is $2,082 less than Illinois Wesleyan University ($29,550). After financial aid, this can make a significant difference over 4 years.

Career Outcomes: Graduates from Illinois Wesleyan University earn a median salary of $70,871 ten years after enrollment, which is $13,993 more than Southwestern University graduates ($56,878).

Graduation: Illinois Wesleyan University leads with a 80.9% graduation rate, and freshman retention rates are 84.5% vs 83.0%.

Campus Size: Illinois Wesleyan University is the larger campus with 1,570 total students, while Southwestern University has 1,454.

Bottom Line: Southwestern University wins on affordability while Illinois Wesleyan University leads in career earnings. Your choice depends on whether upfront cost or long-term ROI matters more.