Illinois Wesleyan University
Illinois Wesleyan University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Illinois Wesleyan University at a Glance
Illinois Wesleyan University is a private liberal arts college in Bloomington, Illinois, United States. Founded in 1850, the central portion of the present campus was acquired in 1854 with the first building erected in 1856.
1850
176 years old
$199M
$198.9 million (2020)
1,527
175
82 acres
Identity
Is Illinois Wesleyan University Worth It?
Illinois Wesleyan University offers moderate value at $28,199/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $70,871, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.6 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 78% graduation rate means roughly 22% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
How Illinois Wesleyan University compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #2 of 17 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Good Samaritan College of Nursing and Health Science | 54 | $19,622 | $66,111 |
| #2 | Illinois Wesleyan University | 49 | $28,199 | $70,871 |
| #3 | Austin College | 49 | $21,107 | $61,296 |
| #4 | Hampden-Sydney College | 48 | $22,400 | $67,640 |
| #5 | St. Francis College | 43 | $18,129 | $58,099 |
| #6 | Walla Walla University | 41 | $23,329 | $61,885 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Illinois Wesleyan University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%).
Best Programs at Illinois Wesleyan University
The highest-earning program at Illinois Wesleyan University is Accounting and Related Services at $61,400/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft at $13,300/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Accounting and Related Services graduate from Illinois Wesleyan University earns $61,400, while a Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft graduate earns $13,300. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Accounting and Related Services graduates carry $27,000 in median debt vs. $27,000 for Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $28,199/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accounting and Related Services | $61,400 | $61,400 | $27,000 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $58,700 | $58,700 | $26,893 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $45,200 | $45,200 | $27,000 |
| Psychology, General | $29,000 | $29,000 | $27,000 |
| Biology, General | $24,200 | $24,200 | $25,000 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $13,300 | $13,300 | $27,000 |
Similar Colleges in IL
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Bloomington, IL
- Student Body
- 1,582 students
- Admission Rate
- 39%
- Graduation Rate
- 78%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $28,199
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $70,871
- Median Student Debt
- $27,000