Illinois Wesleyan University

Bloomington, Illinois
4-year Private university

Overview

Illinois Wesleyan University is a private institution established in 1850 with city setting located at Bloomington. It is ranked 1st in Regional Colleges Midwest in 2024 edition of Best Colleges. It practices 4-4-1-based academic calendar. There are more than 160 student organizations on campus for students to choose from, along with a very popular Greek life. More than one-third of the student body participates in roughly 10 fraternities and sororities available at Illinois Wesleyan. Freshmen and sophomores are required to live on campus, and students admitted in the fall of 2014 and after must remain on campus as juniors as well. Illinois Wesleyan University prides itself on providing individual attention and guidance to each of its students. This commitment has yielded a freshman retention rate that has ranked as one of the best in the country; more than 90 percent of Illinois Wesleyan first-year students come back for their sophomore year. Students interested in theater are spoiled with Shakespeare, as Bloomington is the host of the annual Illinois Shakespeare Festival, which takes place from June through August. Students who are more interested in getting away from campus have the chance to study in hundreds of locations in more than 70 different countries.

#1 in Regional Colleges Midwest
Setting
Urban
Location Bloomington, Illinois
Type 4-year Private
Year Founded 1850
Selectivity Moderate
Size Small
1,527 Undergraduates

Learning

11:1
Student-Faculty Ratio
Business/Marketing
Most Popular Major

Majors Available

  • Area, Ethnic, Cultural, Gender, And Group Studies
  • Biological And Biomedical Sciences
  • Business, Management, Marketing, And Related Support Services
  • Computer And Information Sciences And Support Services
  • Education
  • English Language And Literature/Letters
  • Foreign Languages, Literatures, And Linguistics
  • Health Professions And Related Programs
  • History
  • Mathematics And Statistics
  • Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies
  • Natural Resources And Conservation
  • Philosophy And Religious Studies
  • Physical Sciences
  • Psychology
  • Social Sciences
  • Visual And Performing Arts

Cost

$68,732
Cost of Attendance
$30,147
Average Student Contribution
Instate Tution Fee $55,704
Outstate Tuition Fee $55,704
Room and Board Fees $12,930
$45,459 Median Salary After 2 years of Graduation

Applying

42% (Moderate Selectivity) Acceptance Rate
Admission Difficulty: Difficult
$0 Application Fee
3.8 Average High School GPA

Application Requirements

SAT/ACT Required
SAT/ACT Writing (essay) Not Required
SAT Subject Test Not Required
Essay or Personal Statement Optional
SAT Score Range
Middle 50% (25% - 75%) scores range
ACT Score Range
Middle 50% (25% - 75%) scores range

How to Apply?

Accepts CommonApp
Apply College's Own Application Portal

For International Students

80 Minimum TOEFL Score
TOEFL Requirement: Required
IELTS, Duolingo English Test Other English Language Tests Accepted
(in lieu of TOEFL)
TOEFL Waived if

English is the first language

Deadlines for Fall Intake Applications
Nov
15
Early Action Deadline
Mar
15
Regular Decision Deadline
Rolling Admission
--
--
Priority Application Deadline
Transfer Applications
Aug
01
Transfer Applications Deadline
For Financial Aid
--
--
Financial Aid Priority Application Deadline
Nov
01
Financial Aid Application Deadline

Scholarships and Financial Aid

$43,667 Average Financial Aid

Need-based Aid

$39,114 Average Need-based Aid
Cost of Attendance for out-of-state students: $68,732
70% Students with need received Financial Aid
25% Students had their need fully met
Deadline for need-based financial application Priority Deadline : March 1
Forms to be submitted FAFSA

Merit Scholarships

Available
Merit-Based Scholarships
Total Worth $16,000 to $30,000 per year
Eligibility Incoming Freshman
Minimum Criteria Based on academic performance
Requirement for maintenance --
Separate application needed No
Application deadline N/A
President’s Scholarships
Total Worth full-tuition
Eligibility first-year international students
Minimum Criteria Based on their talents, interests and academic achievements.
Requirement for maintenance --
Separate application needed No
Application deadline N/A
Alumni Scholarship
Total Worth $10,000 to $22,000 per year
Eligibility Freshmen
Minimum Criteria Based on academic achievements
Requirement for maintenance --
Separate application needed No
Application deadline N/A
Alumni Opportunity Grant
Total Worth $5,000 to $10,000 per year
Eligibility Freshmen
Minimum Criteria Based on academic achievements
Requirement for maintenance --
Separate application needed No
Application deadline N/A
International Student Awards
Total Worth $1,000 per year to full tuition
Eligibility International Freshmen
Minimum Criteria Based on academic achievements
Requirement for maintenance enroll full time, maintain a 3.0 cumulative grade point average, and achieve satisfactory academic progress
Separate application needed --
Application deadline N/A

Other Scholarships

Alumni Fine Arts Award
Total Worth $10,000 to $22,000 per year
Details Renewable four-year scholarship provided by Illinois Wesleyan based on the audition or portfolio review and academic information submitted by students majoring in art, music, or theatre arts.
Jennings Music Scholarship for Non Majors
Total Worth $1,000 per year
Details Awards for non-music majors that also provide free music lessons. The scholarships are renewable for four years. Awards are based on an audition and the requirement that the student participate in an appropriate music ensemble.

Students

1,527 Total Undergraduate Enrollment
School Size: Small
89% Freshmen return to Sophomore Year
75% Students graduate within 6 years