In this comparison, we’ll take a closer look at two liberal arts colleges in the United States: Illinois College and Wooster. Both institutions offer a variety of programs and opportunities for their students. In the following sections, we’ll provide an overview of each school, discuss their costs and tuition, outline their admissions process, degrees offered, academics, diversity, student life, campuses, alumni networks, rankings, and outcomes. Finally, we’ll compare both schools in terms of cost, admissions difficulty, academic difficulty, and outcomes.
Illinois College Overview
Illinois College is a private liberal arts college located in Jacksonville, Illinois. Founded in 1829, it is one of the oldest colleges in the state and is affiliated with the United Church of Christ and the Presbyterian Church. The college offers a small, intimate learning environment with a student-faculty ratio of 12:1, which allows for more personalized attention and support.
Illinois College Costs & Tuition
For the 2020-2021 academic year, the cost of attendance at Illinois College was $32,485. This includes tuition, fees, room, and board. The average financial aid package for incoming first-year students was $27,000, which helps to offset the cost of attendance. Additionally, 99% of students receive some form of financial aid, including scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study programs.
Illinois College Admissions
Illinois College has a rolling admissions policy, which means that applications are accepted throughout the year. The college also offers Early Action and Early Decision options for students who want to secure their spot early on. The average high school GPA of incoming first-year students is 3.5, and the middle 50% of students scored between 20 and 26 on the ACT and between 1030 and 1250 on the SAT.
Illinois College Degrees Offered
Illinois College offers over 45 majors, minors, and pre-professional programs. Some popular majors include Business, Psychology, Education, Biology, and Communication. The college also offers a variety of experiential learning opportunities, including internships, study abroad programs, and community-based learning experiences.
Illinois College Academics
With a commitment to providing a well-rounded liberal arts education, Illinois College emphasizes critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving skills. The curriculum is designed to help students develop a strong foundation in their chosen field while also exploring a variety of disciplines. Class sizes are small, with an average of 16 students per class, allowing for more individualized attention and support from faculty.
Illinois College Diversity
Illinois College is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive learning environment. The college has a diverse student body, with students hailing from 20 states and 15 countries. Additionally, 33% of students identify as people of color and 29% are first-generation college students. The college offers various resources and programs to support diversity and inclusion, such as a Multicultural Affairs Office, cultural events, and affinity groups.
Illinois College Students
The student body at Illinois College is comprised of approximately 1,000 students. The college offers over 80 student-led clubs and organizations, allowing students to explore their interests outside the classroom. Illinois College also has a vibrant Greek life, with six fraternities and three sororities on campus. Students can also participate in various intramural and club sports, as well as community service opportunities.
Illinois College Campus
The Illinois College campus spans over 80 acres and features a mix of historic and modern buildings. On-campus housing options include residence halls, apartments, and theme houses. The college also offers a variety of dining options, including an all-you-can-eat dining hall and a coffee shop. There are numerous recreational facilities on campus, such as a fitness center, swimming pool, and athletic fields.
Illinois College Alumni
Illinois College boasts a strong alumni network, with over 12,000 alumni living in all 50 states and over 30 countries. The college offers various resources and networking opportunities for its alumni, including an online community, regional events, and career services.
Illinois College Rankings
According to U.S. News & World Report, in 2021 Illinois College ranked #155 in National Liberal Arts Colleges and #150 in Top Performers on Social Mobility.
Illinois College Outcomes
The average starting salary for Illinois College graduates is $40,000. 98% of graduates are employed or enrolled in graduate school within six months of graduation. The college supports its students with various resources and services, including career development, internship opportunities, and networking events.
Wooster Overview
Wooster is a private liberal arts college located in Wooster, Ohio. Founded in 1866, it is known for its emphasis on undergraduate research and its Independent Study program. The college has a student-faculty ratio of 11:1, providing students with a supportive and engaging learning environment.
Wooster Costs & Tuition
For the 2020-2021 academic year, the total cost of attendance at Wooster was $64,950. This includes tuition, fees, room, and board. The average financial aid package for incoming first-year students was $39,000. Additionally, 99% of students receive some form of financial aid, including scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study opportunities.
Wooster Admissions
Wooster has a rolling admissions policy and offers Early Action and Early Decision options for students who wish to secure their spot early on. The average high school GPA of incoming first-year students is 3.8, and the middle 50% of students scored between 24 and 30 on the ACT and between 1180 and 1340 on the SAT.
Wooster Degrees Offered
Wooster offers over 60 majors, minors, and pre-professional programs. Popular majors include Psychology, Biology, Business, English, and Political Science. The college is especially known for its Independent Study program, which allows students to conduct original research and create an independent project under the guidance of a faculty mentor.
Wooster Academics
Wooster is committed to providing a rigorous and challenging liberal arts education. The curriculum emphasizes critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving skills. Class sizes are small, with an average of 15 students per class, allowing for more individualized attention and support from faculty.
Wooster Diversity
Wooster is dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive learning environment. The college has a diverse student body, with students from 45 states and 61 countries. Additionally, 37% of students identify as people of color. Wooster offers various resources and programs to support diversity and inclusion, such as a Center for Diversity and Inclusion, cultural events, and affinity groups.
Wooster Students
The student body at Wooster is comprised of approximately 2,000 students. The college offers over 120 student-led clubs and organizations, allowing students to explore their interests outside the classroom. Wooster also has a vibrant Greek life, with seven fraternities and four sororities on campus. Students can also participate in various intramural and club sports, as well as community service opportunities.
Wooster Campus
Wooster’s campus spans over 240 acres and features a mix of historic and modern buildings. On-campus housing options include residence halls, apartments, and theme houses. The college also offers a variety of dining options, including an all-you-can-eat dining hall, a food court, and a coffee shop. There are numerous recreational facilities on campus, such as a fitness center, swimming pool, and athletic fields.
Wooster Alumni
Wooster boasts a strong alumni network, with over 25,000 alumni living in all 50 states and over 60 countries. The college offers various resources and networking opportunities for its alumni, including an online community, regional events, and career services.
Wooster Rankings
According to U.S. News & World Report, in 2021 Wooster ranked #69 in National Liberal Arts Colleges and #50 in Best Value Schools.
Wooster Outcomes
The average starting salary for Wooster graduates is $41,000. 95% of graduates are employed or enrolled in graduate school within six months of graduation. The college supports its students with various resources and services, including career development, internship opportunities, and networking events.
Illinois College vs Wooster Cost Comparison
The cost of attendance at Illinois College is significantly lower than that of Wooster. For the 2020-2021 academic year, the total cost of attendance at Illinois College was $32,485, while it was $64,950 at Wooster. However, both schools offer substantial financial aid packages and have a high percentage of students receiving financial aid.
Illinois College vs Wooster Admissions Difficulty
Both Illinois College and Wooster have rolling admissions policies and offer Early Action and Early Decision options for students. Wooster’s incoming first-year students have a slightly higher average high school GPA (3.8) compared to Illinois College (3.5). Additionally, the middle 50% of students at Wooster tend to score higher on the ACT and SAT than those at Illinois College.
Illinois College vs Wooster Academic Difficulty
Both Illinois College and Wooster are dedicated to providing rigorous liberal arts educations. Both schools have small class sizes and low student-faculty ratios, allowing for more individualized attention and support from faculty. Wooster is particularly known for its Independent Study program, which emphasizes undergraduate research and independent projects.
Illinois College vs Wooster Outcome Comparison
The average starting salaries for graduates of both Illinois College ($40,000) and Wooster ($41,000) are relatively similar. Both schools also have high percentages of graduates who are employed or enrolled in graduate school within six months of graduation (98% for Illinois College and 95% for Wooster). Both colleges offer a variety of resources and services to support their students’ success, including career development, internship opportunities, and networking events.
