Academic Comparison between Northern Illinois and IWU

Northern Illinois University and Illinois Wesleyan University are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. Northern Illinois is a four-year, public school located in Dekalb, IL and IWU is a four-year, private (not-for-profit) school located in Bloomington, IL.

Comparison at a Glance

The following list compares two colleges briefly in important perspectives. You can compare them with comprehensive information on full comparison page.

  • Northern Illinois is a public and IWU is a private (not-for-profit) school and both are four-year schools.
  • IWU has more expensive tuition & fees ($57,704) than Northern Illinois ($13,060).
  • It is harder to admit to IWU than Northern Illinois.
  • Northern Illinois has more students with 15,414 students while IWU has 1,582 students.
  • IWU has a lower number of students per faculty with 12 to 1 while Northern Illinois's ratio is 15 to 1.
  • Northern Illinois has more full-time faculties with 820 faculties while IWU has 108 full-time faculties.
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Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

Northern Illinois Universityvs.Illinois Wesleyan University
Dekalb, IllinoisLocationBloomington, Illinois
Four-year, PublicSchool Typefour-year, Private (not-for-profit)
Doctor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedBachelor's degree
Research University (high research activity)Carnegie ClassificationBaccalaureate College - Diverse Fields
In-State$13,060
Out-Of-State$13,060
2025 Tuition & Fees$57,704
86%% Receiving Financial Aid100%
$12,589Average Amount of Financial Aid$38,601
69.79 %Acceptance Rates39.31 %
12.06 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)12.27 %
-SAT Score1,240
-ACT Score29
49 %Graduation Rate75 %
-Transfer-out Rate19 %
70 %Retention Rate80 %
15,414Student Population1,582
820Number of Faculties108
15 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio12 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College, Teacher CertificationSpecial Learning OpportunitiesDistance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Teacher Certification
Academic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services, On-campus daycareOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services