Wheaton (IL): A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes
Officially Wheaton College · Wheaton, Illinois · Private nonprofit · Open access
Ranked #57 (tie) in National Liberal Arts Colleges; Economics #196 (tie)U.S. News & World Report, Best Colleges 2027
Is Wheaton (IL) a reach, target or safety for your student?
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Wheaton (IL) is a private nonprofit university in Wheaton, Illinois that admits about 87% of applicants, making it a open access school. The average family pays about $26,975 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Business/Managerial Economics, English Language and Literature, General and Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 8.0 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.
Wheaton (IL) is a private institution located in Wheaton, Illinois. For the most recent reporting cycle, Wheaton (IL) admits the majority of qualified applicants, with an overall admission rate of 87%. Admitted students typically post an average SAT of 1380 and an ACT composite around 30. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $26,975 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.
What GPA does my child need for Wheaton (IL)?
Wheaton (IL) has a broadly accessible admissions profile, and most students who complete a standard college-prep curriculum with a 3.0 GPA or higher are competitive for admission.
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SAT and ACT scores Wheaton (IL) typically admits
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 610–730, with an EBRW midpoint near 660. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 28–32. A score at or above this school's 75th percentile materially improves your child's odds, particularly when paired with a rigorous course load.
How much does Wheaton (IL) actually cost?
Published tuition is $45,546 for in-state students and $45,546 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $13,010 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $26,975 per year, and that is the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 22% of students receive Pell Grants.
| Average net price (after aid) | $26,975 |
| Financial aid forms | FAFSA only (no CSS Profile)College Board 2026-27 list |
Most popular majors at Wheaton (IL)
The most popular undergraduate programs at Wheaton (IL), measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Business/Managerial Economics, English Language and Literature, General and Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General. Across all programs, Wheaton (IL) confers roughly 361 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Business/Managerial Economics program report a median income of about $83,645 five years after entering college. What these figures mean
| Major | Graduates / year | Median earnings (5 yrs out) |
|---|---|---|
| Business/Managerial Economics | 81 | $83,645 |
| English Language and Literature, General | 47 | $54,198 |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General | 44 | $69,891 |
| Psychology, General | 42 | $55,639 |
| Economics | 40 | n/a |
| Biology, General | 39 | $76,296 |
| Communication and Media Studies | 35 | $63,267 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 33 | $49,942 |
Is Wheaton (IL) safe? Campus crime & safety
In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), Wheaton (IL) disclosed 17 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 8.0 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 2 violent offenses and 4 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts
Other colleges in Illinois parents ask about
- University of Chicago4% acceptance
- Northwestern University8% acceptance
- University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign42% acceptance
- University of Illinois Chicago77% acceptance
- DePaul University76% acceptance
- Loyola University Chicago82% acceptance
- Illinois State University88% acceptance
- Southern Illinois University-Carbondale87% acceptance
Next steps for Wheaton (IL)
Common questions parents ask about Wheaton (IL)
What GPA do I need for Wheaton (IL)?
Wheaton (IL) has a broadly accessible admissions profile, and most students who complete a standard college-prep curriculum with a 3.0 GPA or higher are competitive for admission.
What SAT or ACT score does Wheaton (IL) typically admit?
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 610–730, with an EBRW midpoint near 660. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 28–32.
How much does Wheaton (IL) actually cost after financial aid?
The average net price at Wheaton (IL) after grants and scholarships is $26,975 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $45,546. Budget against the net figure.
Is Wheaton (IL) realistic for my child?
Wheaton (IL) admits 87% of applicants, so 610–730 SAT Math is target range and below 610 is a reach. Then check the $26,975 average net price against what your family can carry.
What is the acceptance rate at Wheaton (IL)?
Wheaton (IL) accepts about 87% of applicants. It admits the majority of qualified applicants.
Is Wheaton (IL) a public or private school, and where is it located?
Wheaton (IL) is a private nonprofit institution located in Wheaton, Illinois.
What are the most popular majors at Wheaton (IL)?
The largest undergraduate majors at Wheaton (IL) by annual graduates are Business/Managerial Economics, English Language and Literature, General and Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General. The school awards about 361 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.
Is Wheaton (IL) safe? What is its campus crime rate?
Wheaton (IL) reported 17 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 8.0 per 1,000 students. Compare the per-1,000 rate rather than the raw total, since larger schools report more incidents.
Sources: the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers