Choosing a college is an essential decision in a student’s life, and it’s important to compare all aspects of different schools to determine the best fit. In this article, we will be comparing two schools: Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) and The College of Wooster (Wooster). We will discuss various aspects of both institutions, including costs, admissions, academics, diversity, student life, campus, alumni, rankings, and outcomes.

IIT Overview

Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) is a private research university located in Chicago, Illinois. Established in 1890, IIT is known for its strong focus on engineering, science, and technology programs. The university has a total undergraduate enrollment of around 3,000 students and offers a wide range of degree programs, including architecture, business, computer science, and humanities.

IIT Costs & Tuition

Tuition at IIT is approximately $47,646 per year for full-time undergraduate students. Additional expenses include room and board, which is around $13,460 per year, and other fees, such as books, transportation, and personal expenses. Financial aid is available in the form of scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study opportunities.

IIT Admissions

IIT has a selective admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 58%. To apply, students must submit their high school transcripts, SAT or ACT scores, letters of recommendation, and a personal essay. The middle 50% of admitted students have SAT scores between 1220 and 1400 and ACT scores between 25 and 31.

IIT Degrees Offered

IIT offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate degree programs in various fields, including engineering, architecture, business, computer science, and humanities. Some popular majors at IIT include electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, computer science, and civil engineering.

IIT Academics

With a student-faculty ratio of 13:1, IIT provides an engaging and personalized learning experience for its students. The university is known for its strong focus on research and technology, offering state-of-the-art facilities and resources to support students’ academic pursuits.

IIT Diversity

IIT has a diverse student body, with students from over 70 countries and a wide range of cultural backgrounds. The university is committed to promoting diversity and inclusivity on campus and offers various support services and resources for students from different backgrounds.

IIT Students

IIT has a tight-knit and collaborative student community, with a variety of clubs and organizations for students to get involved in. These include professional societies, cultural groups, service organizations, and recreational sports teams. Students at IIT also have access to excellent athletic facilities, including a fitness center, swimming pool, and various sports courts.

IIT Campus

IIT’s campus covers 120 acres in the heart of Chicago, offering a vibrant and dynamic urban environment for students to live and learn. The campus features modern architecture and green spaces, as well as easy access to public transportation and the city’s numerous cultural attractions.

IIT Alumni

IIT has a strong alumni network, with graduates working in various industries around the world. Notable alumni include Robert Galvin, former CEO of Motorola, and Martin Cooper, inventor of the mobile phone.

IIT Rankings

IIT is consistently ranked among the top engineering schools in the United States. In the 2021 U.S. News & World Report rankings, IIT is ranked #96 in National Universities and #49 in Best Value Schools.

IIT Outcomes

Graduates from IIT enjoy strong employment outcomes, with a 92% job placement rate within six months of graduation. The average starting salary for IIT graduates is around $65,000 per year.

Wooster Overview

The College of Wooster (Wooster) is a private liberal arts college located in Wooster, Ohio. Founded in 1866, Wooster is known for its emphasis on undergraduate research, collaborative learning, and a strong sense of community. The college has a total undergraduate enrollment of around 2,000 students and offers a wide range of degree programs in the arts, humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences.

Wooster Costs & Tuition

Tuition at Wooster is approximately $52,000 per year for full-time undergraduate students. Additional expenses include room and board, which is around $12,000 per year, and other fees, such as books, transportation, and personal expenses. Financial aid is available in the form of scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study opportunities.

Wooster Admissions

Wooster has a selective admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 54%. To apply, students must submit their high school transcripts, SAT or ACT scores, letters of recommendation, and a personal essay. The middle 50% of admitted students have SAT scores between 1150 and 1370 and ACT scores between 24 and 30.

Wooster Degrees Offered

Wooster offers a wide range of undergraduate degree programs in various fields, including biology, chemistry, economics, English, history, mathematics, music, and psychology. Some popular majors at Wooster include international relations, neuroscience, and physics.

Wooster Academics

With a student-faculty ratio of 11:1, Wooster provides an engaging and personalized learning experience for its students. The college is known for its emphasis on undergraduate research, with all students required to complete a senior independent study project under the guidance of a faculty mentor.

Wooster Diversity

Wooster has a diverse student body, with students from over 40 countries and a wide range of cultural backgrounds. The college is committed to promoting diversity and inclusivity on campus and offers various support services and resources for students from different backgrounds.

Wooster Students

Wooster has a tight-knit and collaborative student community, with a variety of clubs and organizations for students to get involved in. These include academic clubs, cultural groups, service organizations, and recreational sports teams. Students at Wooster also have access to excellent athletic facilities, including a fitness center, swimming pool, and various sports courts.

Wooster Campus

Wooster’s campus covers 240 acres in a residential neighborhood of Wooster, Ohio, offering a safe and beautiful environment for students to live and learn. The campus features historic architecture and green spaces, as well as easy access to the city’s downtown area and numerous cultural attractions.

Wooster Alumni

Wooster has a strong alumni network, with graduates working in various industries around the world. Notable alumni include Dan Gable, Olympic gold medalist and wrestling coach, and Sylvia Earle, oceanographer and National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence.

Wooster Rankings

Wooster is consistently ranked among the top liberal arts colleges in the United States. In the 2021 U.S. News & World Report rankings, Wooster is ranked #69 in National Liberal Arts Colleges and #26 in Best Undergraduate Teaching.

Wooster Outcomes

Graduates from Wooster enjoy strong employment outcomes, with a 93% job placement rate within six months of graduation. The average starting salary for Wooster graduates is around $40,000 per year.

IIT vs Wooster Cost Comparison

When comparing the costs of attending IIT and Wooster, there are several factors to consider. IIT has a slightly lower tuition rate at $47,646 per year, compared to Wooster’s tuition of $52,000 per year. However, room and board costs at IIT are slightly higher, at $13,460 per year, compared to Wooster’s $12,000 per year. Additional expenses, such as books, transportation, and personal expenses, are similar for both institutions. Financial aid opportunities are available at both schools, and students should consider their individual financial situations when making a decision.

IIT vs Wooster Admissions Difficulty

Both IIT and Wooster have selective admissions processes, with acceptance rates of 58% and 54%, respectively. The middle 50% of admitted students at IIT have SAT scores between 1220 and 1400 and ACT scores between 25 and 31. At Wooster, the middle 50% of admitted students have SAT scores between 1150 and 1370 and ACT scores between 24 and 30. While both schools have competitive admissions, IIT may be slightly more challenging to gain acceptance to due to its higher average test scores.

IIT vs Wooster Academic Difficulty

IIT and Wooster both offer rigorous academic programs, with IIT focusing more on engineering, technology, and science programs, and Wooster emphasizing liberal arts and undergraduate research. Both institutions have low student-faculty ratios, which allow for personalized learning experiences and close interaction with professors. Students’ academic difficulty will largely depend on their chosen major and individual work ethic, but both schools are known for providing a challenging and engaging academic environment.

IIT vs Wooster Outcome Comparison

Graduates from both IIT and Wooster enjoy strong employment outcomes, with job placement rates of 92% and 93% within six months of graduation, respectively. However, the average starting salary for IIT graduates is significantly higher, at around $65,000 per year, compared to Wooster graduates’ average starting salary of around $40,000 per year. This disparity may be due to the higher prevalence of engineering and technology majors at IIT, which generally have higher starting salaries than liberal arts majors.