Buy our guides
Read our blog
Login Register

Illinois Wesleyan University
- Academics

RT
Currently attending or alumni?
Review this school!
Are you interested
in this school?
Yes, let this school know
Maybe, bookmark for later
No, get better matches
Saving your decision
Yes
Maybe
No

Your information has been sent to this school through our partnership with .

This school has been saved to your schools list.

This school has been removed from your recommended schools list.

For your next recommendation, check out .

Jump to a section:

Grade
Quick Stats
Student Author Overview
Student Reviews
Student Polls
Facts
Take A SurveyWrite A ReviewUpload A PhotoLink Up A VideoWrite The Guide
Illinois Wesleyan University - Academics - College ProwlerCollege Prowler3.85

Academics

B+
Where does this grade come from?View all Academics rankingsReview this school to add your opinion

Comparable Schools' Academics Grades:

Quick Stats

Student-Faculty Ratio 11:1
Full-Time Student Population 2,059
Part-Time Student Population 10
Full-Time Instructional Faculty 162
Part-Time Instructional Faculty 67
Total FT Faculty 162
Faculty with Terminal Degree 94%
Average Faculty Salary $70,457
Full-Time Retention Rate 93%
Graduation Rate 83%
Programs/Majors Offered 38
Average Course Load 4 courses
Academic/Career Counseling? Yes
Remedial Services? No
Class Sizes
  • Fewer than 20 Students: 65%
  • 20 to 49 Students: 34%
  • 50 or More Students: 1%

Student Author OverviewWhat's This?

If Illinois Wesleyan were a standardized test, it would be equal parts multiple choice and short essay. There are just as many business major jocks as there are pretentious philosophy students. IWU is renowned for its nursing program and its preparatory work for students seeking graduate degrees. The liberal arts approach is apparent in the wide range of general education studies required for graduation. The fine arts programs are strenuous, and most students enrolled in music, art, or theater overload on courses every semester. Students here definitely work hard. Pressure to perform can translate into perfectionism and anxiety, but the professors’ expectations are generally more accepting than students’ personal standards. Most classes are small, which is conducive to intimate conversation and enthusiastic debate.The academic work at IWU is at the core of students’ lives. The liberal arts expose students to different approaches and fields, but can hamper students’ progress in their specified major. This can be frustrating for students right out of high school who are looking forward to dedicating their time and effort exclusively to their major. Exposure to many fields can also illuminate options that might have gone overlooked by first-year students who are undecided. The amount of coursework and expectations of professors make IWU a respectable institution for higher learning. However, the required general education classes are a burden and can sometimes foster a sense of ambiguity.

See how you stack up against students who were accepted to this school . . .And calculate your chances!Register to get started

Illinois Wesleyan Student ReviewsWhat's This?

Sort by:

Loading...

Academics at Illinois Wesleyan University

jblaylock70

'15

Biology

5.0
A+

Very Good Academics

The academics at Illinois Wesleyan University were as expected. They are very good and the classes are challenging. The biology departement is very tough but will get you prepared for graduate school.

Nov 07, 2011

Comment actions: Rate
Report as inappropriate/inaccurate

Academics at Illinois Wesleyan University

karsaken

'13

Religion

4.6
A

Religion Major

They really value their religion majors in the department because they have so few. You can get into whatever class you want because of this.

Jul 12, 2011

Comment actions: Rate
Report as inappropriate/inaccurate

Academics at Illinois Wesleyan University

ktatar

'14

Mathematics

5.0
A+

Exactly What I Thought It Would Be

I knew I wanted a small school when I began my college search, and at Illinois Wesleyan University I found everything I was looking for. The small classrooms led to personal relationships with professors, the work was difficult but manageable, and it was easy to tell that the faculty really cared about helping students. It was exactly the academic setting I was looking for, and registration has always been easy.

Jun 28, 2011

Comment actions: Rate
Report as inappropriate/inaccurate
Page 1 of 6

Student Survey Poll ResultsWhat's This?

Rate your school’s professors on the following topics

Rate your school’s academic environment on the following topics

Facts

Instructional Programs Occupational: No
Academic: Yes
Continuing Professional: No
Recreational/Avocational: No
Adult Basic Remedial: No
Secondary (High School): No
Special Credit Opportunities Advanced Placement (AP) Credits: Yes
Dual Credit: No
Life Experience Credits: No
AP Test Score Requirements Credit only for scores of 4 or 5
IB Test Score Requirements Credit only
Undergraduate Schools/Divisions
  • School of Art
  • School of Music
  • School of Nursing
  • School of Theatre Arts
Degrees Awarded Bachelor's degree
Most Popular Majors
  • Biology and Biological Sciences: 3%
  • Business/Commerce, General: 6%
  • English Language Studies: 4%
  • Psychology: 4%
Special Study Options
  • Study abroad
  • Teacher certification (below the postsecondary level)
Best Places to Study
  • Ames Library
  • Hansen Student Center
  • Your own room
Did You Know?


Students can work with a number of study abroad offices to arrange up to a year of off-campus study. Students have spent semesters in Bengali, Morocco, Niger, Thailand, Australia, and the Czech Republic. Credits and financial aid transfer to Illinois Wesleyan, so almost a third of the students are able to experience college life outside the Wesleyan bubble.

Most Recent Student Author

College Prowler guides are in the hands of students throughout the entire process. Because you can't make student-written guides without the students, we have students at each campus who write, edit, and survey their peers for every guide that we publish. Thanks to our most recent student author at IWU

Name: Diego Báez

Major: English Writing

see all student author bios >

Become a Contributing Author

Write a Review

College Prowler is seeking talented student authors to assist with writing and updating the College Prowler guides to their schools. This is a great opportunity for a student to gain experience and tremendous exposure, utilize new media techniques, and share advice with high school students about what life is really like at your college.

read more about this opportunity »

Find a college

Find a major

Scholarships

Reviews

Company

Buy College Prowler school guides in our bookstore Get the real scoop on what it's like on campus and see what school is the place for you!

How do we get our information? Find out here or report an error here. Please note that the information presented on this site is updated periodically, but may not be the
most recent information available for a particular school. For additional information we encourage you to visit school websites or contact the schools directly.