Situated on 80 tree-filled acres in the city of Bloomington, Ill., Illinois Wesleyan University is home to just over 2,000 college students from across the world. Located less than two hours from both Chicago and St. Louis, students have the opportunity to experience a rural and urban lifestyle of their choosing. 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. While freshmen are required to live on campus, 8 in 10 students choose this living arrangement during their entire college career. Known as the Titans, Illinois Wesleyan is a member of the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin in the NCAA’s Division III. Although known for its successful baseball and track teams, the school also ranks in the Top 10 universities nationally with more than 100 Academic All-Americans. One of the most popular features of the university is its May term, known as “Play Term” by students, which is a monthlong experimental learning option where students focus on a single course or topic.

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. The campus itself is an arboretum, home to more than 1,000 trees and comprised of nearly 130 distinct species. Students interested in theater are spoiled with Shakespeare, as Bloomington, Ill. is the host of the annual Illinois Shakespeare Festival, which takes place from June through August. Students that are more interested in getting away from campus have the chance to study in hundreds of locations in more than 70 different countries. Notable alumni of the university include Richard Jenkins, an Oscar-nominated actor, and Edward B. Rust, chairman of the board and chief executive officer of State Farm Insurance Co.

Counselor’s Notes:

Illinois Wesleyan has an excellent Accounting program and 90+% of IWU students pass the CPA exam and the department is amongst the best in the country.   The Accounting department sponsors the ALOT summer program which is in the Phoenix Rising catalog.  They have a very strong Nursing and Theatre program as well.  Financial aid at Illinois Wesleyan has been very strong in the past.

Basic Facts

Location:  Bloomington, IL

Number of Undergraduates:  2,100

Percentage of Black students: 4%

Percentage of Latino students:  7%

Overall 4 year graduation rate:  79.8%

Overall 5 year graduation rate: 85.5%

4 year Black female graduation rate: 75%

4 year Black male graduation rate:  n/a

4 year Latino graduation rate: n/a

4 year Latina graduation rate: n/a

North Lawndale Alumni graduates: 0

North Lawndale Alumni persistence rate (returning to school beyond 4 semesters): n/a

Average % of financial need met:  91%

Estimated cost of attendance:  $48,532

Average indebtedness at graduation:  $32,000

Admission Contact: Kenny Woodard

Alumni Network Contact:

Current Alumni who attend Illinois Wesleyan:  0

University Majors/Programs of Study

Undergraduate Application for Admission

Academic Support/Admissions Programs:

Writing Center:  The Writing Center at Illinois Wesleyan University welcomes all IWU students who would like help with their writing. We are open afternoons and evenings during the school year. We’re conveniently located on the first floor of Buck Memorial Library.    Our tutors are all students at Wesleyan, and come from a variety of majors. In many cases they’ve taken the same courses in which their clients are enrolled, and have tackled similar writing assignments. They’ve taken the time to complete a non-credit, semester-long course in tutoring.

Career Center