In the process of choosing a college, it’s essential to understand the differences between two institutions. In this analysis, we provide a comparison between Wooster and IIT, covering various aspects such as costs, admissions, academics, and outcomes. By examining these factors, you’ll get a clearer understanding of what each school has to offer and which might be the best fit for your needs.
Wooster Overview
The College of Wooster is a private liberal arts college in Wooster, Ohio. Established in 1866, Wooster stands out with its Independent Study Program, which allows students to engage in research and complete a thesis in their final year. The college offers undergraduate degrees in various fields, including arts, sciences, and social sciences.
Wooster Costs & Tuition
Tuition at Wooster for the 2021-2022 academic year is $54,000, with an additional $14,200 for room and board. However, this cost is often offset by financial aid packages, with an average award of $32,000. The college is committed to providing need-based financial aid to eligible students, helping to reduce the financial burden.
Wooster Admissions
Wooster has a relatively competitive admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 54%. Applicants must submit their high school transcripts, letters of recommendation, and personal essays. The college also requires standardized test scores, such as the SAT or ACT, but does provide test-optional admissions for students with a strong academic record. The average SAT score for admitted students is 1280, while the average ACT score is 29.
Wooster Degrees Offered
Wooster offers more than 60 undergraduate majors and minors, including popular programs in biology, psychology, political science, and English. The college is particularly well-known for its Independent Study Program, which enables students to work with faculty mentors on a year-long research project.
Wooster Academics
With a student-to-faculty ratio of 11:1, Wooster offers small class sizes and an intimate learning environment. The college is committed to providing a rigorous liberal arts education that emphasizes critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Students have numerous opportunities to engage in research, internships, and study abroad programs.
Wooster Diversity
Wooster is dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive campus environment. Approximately 15% of the student body are international students, while 23% identify as students of color. The college offers various resources and support services for underrepresented students, including the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
Wooster Students
Wooster has a total undergraduate enrollment of around 2,000 students. The college offers a wide range of extracurricular activities, including over 120 student clubs and organizations, as well as a vibrant Greek life. Wooster’s athletics teams, the Fighting Scots, compete in the NCAA Division III.
Wooster Campus
Wooster’s picturesque 240-acre campus features a mix of historic and modern buildings, surrounded by lush green spaces. Students have access to state-of-the-art facilities, including the Andrews Library, the Gault Schoolhouse, and the Scot Center for athletics and recreation. The college is within walking distance of downtown Wooster, which offers shops, restaurants, and cultural events.
Wooster Alumni
Notable Wooster alumni include Arthur Holly Compton, a Nobel Prize-winning physicist, and author Toni Morrison. The college’s alumni network is actively involved in supporting current students through mentoring, internships, and job opportunities.
Wooster Rankings
According to the U.S. News & World Report, Wooster is ranked #69 in National Liberal Arts Colleges and #33 in Best Undergraduate Teaching.
Wooster Outcomes
The College of Wooster boasts a strong record of graduate success, with a four-year graduation rate of 72%. Within six months of graduation, 95% of Wooster alumni are employed, pursuing further education, or engaged in meaningful volunteer work.
IIT Overview
The Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) is a private research university in Chicago, founded in 1890. Known for its strong emphasis on engineering, science, and technology, IIT offers undergraduate and graduate degrees across several disciplines. The university is divided into eight colleges, including the Armour College of Engineering and the College of Computing.
IIT Costs & Tuition
Tuition for the 2021-2022 academic year at IIT is $50,490, with an additional $13,680 for room and board. The university offers various financial aid packages, including scholarships, grants, and loans, to help make education more affordable for its students.
IIT Admissions
IIT has an acceptance rate of 58%, making it moderately selective. Applicants must submit their high school transcripts, letters of recommendation, and personal essays. The university requires SAT or ACT scores for admission, with the average SAT score for admitted students being 1310 and the average ACT score being 29.
IIT Degrees Offered
IIT offers more than 40 undergraduate majors, with a strong focus on engineering and science disciplines. Popular programs include computer science, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and architecture.
IIT Academics
With a 13:1 student-to-faculty ratio, IIT provides a personalized learning experience for its students. The university is committed to fostering a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship, offering research opportunities and state-of-the-art facilities such as the Ed Kaplan Family Institute for Innovation and Tech Entrepreneurship.
IIT Diversity
IIT is dedicated to promoting diversity and inclusion on its campus. Approximately 23% of the student body are international students, while 40% identify as students of color. The university offers resources and support services for underrepresented students through its Office of Campus Life.
IIT Students
IIT has an undergraduate enrollment of around 3,100 students. The university offers a wide range of extracurricular activities, including over 150 student clubs and organizations. IIT’s athletics teams, the Scarlet Hawks, compete in the NCAA Division III.
IIT Campus
IIT’s 120-acre campus is located in Chicago’s Bronzeville neighborhood, offering students easy access to the city’s cultural, professional, and recreational opportunities. The campus features state-of-the-art facilities, such as the McCormick Tribune Campus Center and the Galvin Library.
IIT Alumni
IIT boasts a strong alumni network, with notable members like Rohit Prasad, the head scientist for Amazon Alexa, and Martin Cooper, the inventor of the mobile phone. The university’s alumni are actively involved in supporting current students through internships and job opportunities.
IIT Rankings
IIT is ranked #103 in National Universities according to the U.S. News & World Report and #41 in Best Value Schools.
IIT Outcome
IIT has a four-year graduation rate of 52%. Within six months of graduation, 89% of IIT alumni are employed or pursuing further education.
Wooster vs IIT Cost Comparison
When comparing the costs of attending Wooster and IIT, both institutions have similar tuition rates. Wooster’s tuition for the 2021-2022 academic year is $54,000, while IIT’s tuition is slightly lower at $50,490. However, both colleges offer financial aid packages and scholarships to help offset these costs.
The costs for room and board are also comparable, with Wooster charging $14,200 and IIT charging $13,680. Overall, the total cost of attendance at both colleges is similar, with the final decision likely hinging on the type and amount of financial aid offered to individual students.
Wooster vs IIT Admissions Difficulty
In terms of admissions difficulty, both Wooster and IIT have competitive acceptance rates. Wooster admits 54% of applicants, while IIT admits 58%. Both colleges require high school transcripts, letters of recommendation, personal essays, and SAT or ACT scores.
The average SAT score for admitted students at Wooster is 1280, while it’s slightly higher at IIT with 1310. Similarly, the average ACT score at Wooster is 29, the same as IIT. Based on these figures, admissions at both institutions are fairly competitive, with similar academic expectations for applicants.
Wooster vs IIT Academic Difficulty
Comparing the academic rigor at Wooster and IIT, both institutions are committed to providing a high-quality education for their students. Wooster is a liberal arts college with an emphasis on critical thinking and problem-solving skills. In contrast, IIT focuses more on engineering and science disciplines, fostering a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship.
Both colleges offer research opportunities and small class sizes, with Wooster having a student-to-faculty ratio of 11:1, and IIT having a ratio of 13:1. These figures suggest that students at both institutions can expect a challenging academic environment with personalized attention from faculty.
Wooster vs IIT Outcome Comparison
In terms of outcomes, Wooster and IIT have different success rates. Wooster boasts a four-year graduation rate of 72%, with 95% of alumni employed, pursuing further education, or engaged in meaningful volunteer work within six months of graduation. Comparatively, IIT has a four-year graduation rate of 52%, with 89% of alumni employed or pursuing further education within six months of graduation.
These differences in graduation rates and post-graduation outcomes may play a significant role in the decision-making process for prospective students. Both institutions have strong alumni networks and offer valuable resources to support student success, but Wooster appears to have a slight edge in terms of graduate outcomes.
