The average acceptance rate at IWU over the past 10 years is 52.89%, and the most recent acceptance rate is 39.31%. Compared to the previous year, it became much more competitive to gain admission to IWU in 2025.
The average yield (enrollment rate) over the period is 18.52%, and the 2025 yield is 12.27%. Overall, the yield has decreased by 36.79% from 2015 to 2025.
The number of IWU applicants increased by 55.97% (3,430 applicants) compared to the previous year. Over the entire 10-year period, applicants increased by 155.29% overall.
The current acceptance rate for the 2025 admission cycle is 39.31%, representing an increasingly selective admissions process. This indicates that IWU has become more competitive over the past decade, as the institution receives a growing number of applications while maintaining or reducing the number of admitted students.
The admission yield (the percentage of admitted students who enroll) for the 2025 academic year is 12.27%. The declining yield trend suggests that a lower percentage of admitted students are choosing to enroll at IWU. This pattern may reflect increased competition from peer institutions, changing student demographics, or shifts in institutional enrollment strategy.
For the 2025 admission cycle, IWU received approximately 9,558 applications, admitted 3,757 students, and enrolled 461 students. The rising application volume trend indicates that IWU is attracting an increasing number of prospective students over time. This growth in applications typically reflects enhanced institutional visibility, improved marketing initiatives, or increasing perceived value in the higher education market.
IWU 10-Year Admission Rate Summary: The acceptance rate trends at IWU over the past decade show a relatively stable trend, with fluctuations in both directions. The average acceptance rate over this period is 52.89%, while the most recent rate stands at 39.31%. This data reflects the institution's evolving competitiveness in the higher education admissions landscape.
For the most recent admission cycle (2025), the acceptance rate is 39.31%. By gender, the average acceptance rate for men is 50.85% and for women is 54.89%.
The following table and chart show how acceptance rates at IWU have changed over the past 10 years (2015-2025).
| Year | Total | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015-16 | 61.91% | 59.49% | 63.65% |
| 2016-17 | 58.21% -3.70% |
58.95% -0.54% |
57.67% -5.98% |
| 2017-18 | 60.86% 2.65% |
59.49% 0.55% |
61.83% 4.16% |
| 2018-19 | 58.55% -2.31% |
59.76% 0.27% |
57.67% -4.16% |
| 2019-20 | 60.80% 2.25% |
59.73% -0.03% |
61.56% 3.89% |
| 2020-21 | 56.93% -3.87% |
58.02% -1.71% |
56.13% -5.43% |
| 2021-22 | 44.99% -11.94% |
41.01% -17.01% |
49.02% -7.11% |
| 2022-23 | 42.22% -2.77% |
40.33% -0.68% |
44.05% -4.97% |
| 2023-24 | 45.17% 2.95% |
39.71% -0.62% |
51.20% 7.15% |
| 2024-25 | 39.31% -5.86% |
32.03% -7.68% |
46.14% -5.06% |
| Average | 52.89% | 50.85% | 54.89% |
IWU has demonstrated a decline in admission yield over the past 10 years. The institution's yield rate has decreased from 19.41% in 2015 to 12.27% in 2025, representing a 36.79% decrease. The 10-year average yield stands at 18.52%, reflecting weakening enrollment performance.
The following table and chart illustrate the changes in yield at IWU from 2015 to 2025. The admission yield has decreased by 36.79% over this period.
| Year | Total | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015-16 | 19.41% | 21.48% | 18.02% |
| 2016-17 | 19.01% -0.41% |
22.04% 0.56% |
16.72% -1.31% |
| 2017-18 | 16.80% -2.21% |
18.09% -3.95% |
15.92% -0.80% |
| 2018-19 | 22.29% 5.49% |
25.40% 7.30% |
19.97% 4.05% |
| 2019-20 | 18.09% -4.20% |
21.83% -3.57% |
15.48% -4.49% |
| 2020-21 | 19.88% 1.79% |
23.15% 1.32% |
17.39% 1.92% |
| 2021-22 | 20.99% 1.11% |
26.02% 2.87% |
17.02% -0.37% |
| 2022-23 | 20.53% -0.46% |
24.27% -1.76% |
16.96% -0.06% |
| 2023-24 | 15.93% -4.59% |
17.91% -6.36% |
14.08% -2.87% |
| 2024-25 | 12.27% -3.66% |
13.97% -3.94% |
11.07% -3.02% |
| Average | 18.52% | 21.42% | 16.26% |
Over the past 10 years, The average number of applicants is 4,732, the average number of admitted is 2,393, and the average number of first-year enrolled students is 431.
The number of IWU applicants increased by 55.97% (3,430 applicants) compared to the previous year. Over the entire 10-year period, applicants increased by 155.29% overall.
The following table and chart show the changes of applicants, admitted, and enrolled headcount at Illinois Wesleyan University from 2015 to 2025.
| Year | Applicants | Admitted | Enrolled |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015-16 | 3,744 | 2,318 | 450 |
| 2016-17 | 3,841 2.59% |
2,236 -3.54% |
425 -5.56% |
| 2017-18 | 3,697 -3.75% |
2,250 0.63% |
378 -11.06% |
| 2018-19 | 3,785 2.38% |
2,216 -1.51% |
494 30.69% |
| 2019-20 | 3,719 -1.74% |
2,261 2.03% |
409 -17.21% |
| 2020-21 | 3,896 4.76% |
2,218 -1.90% |
441 7.82% |
| 2021-22 | 4,543 16.61% |
2,044 -7.84% |
429 -2.72% |
| 2022-23 | 4,408 -2.97% |
1,861 -8.95% |
382 -10.96% |
| 2023-24 | 6,128 39.02% |
2,768 48.74% |
441 15.45% |
| 2024-25 | 9,558 55.97% |
3,757 35.73% |
461 4.54% |
| Average | 4,732 | 2,393 | 431 |
The following table compares Illinois Wesleyan University' acceptance rate to similar schools.
| 2024 | 2025 | Change % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois Wesleyan University | 45.17% | 39.31% | -12.97% |
| Northwestern University | 7.69% | 7.15% | 7.55% |
| DePaul University | 75.89% | 73.53% | 3.21% |
| University of Chicago | 4.48% | 4.79% | -6.47% |
| Loyola University Chicago | 81.60% | 81.39% | 0.26% |
| National Louis University | 95.05% | 93.12% | 2.07% |
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