Campus Vibe
Strong graduate outcomes — known for engineering
Bradley University is a private institution in Peoria with particular strength in engineering and business. With an average SAT of 1237, the school attracts a broad applicant pool.
A mid-sized campus of 3.9K undergraduates with a 11:1 student-faculty ratio. The urban location puts students at the center of city life.
72% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $66,852 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $23,572.
Campus Visits
Plan Your Visit
News & Alerts
Bradley University Launches New Data Science Minor
Starting Fall 2026, students can pursue an interdisciplinary data science minor combining CS, statistics, and domain courses.
Tuition Increase Announced for 2026-27
The board of trustees approved a 3.2% tuition increase for the upcoming academic year, in line with peer institutions.
Admissions
SAT Score Ranges
Average: 1237
ACT Score Range
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.
Cost & Financial Aid
Sticker Price
Net Price by Family Income
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.
Debt & Aid Detail
Net Price Trend
Tuition Trend
Graduate w/ Zero Debt
36.4%
Avg Tuition Increase
3.2%/yr
Median Debt at Grad
$23,250
Campus Safety
Total Incidents (2024)
31
Peer Average
37
3-Year Trend
Emergency System
Campus police, emergency alert system, blue-light phones
Incident Breakdown (2024)
Burglary
Aggravated Assault
Robbery
Motor Vehicle Theft
Sex Offenses
Arson
Drug Arrests
Liquor Arrests
Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).
Programs (115)
Student Life
Student Satisfaction
Retention Rate
84%
- •84% first-year retention rate
- •Active student organizations
- •Engaged campus community
Mental Health Services
Counselor Ratio
1:350
24/7 Crisis Line
Yes
Free Sessions
12 per year
Avg Wait
5 days
Walk-in hours available weekdays
Disability Services
ADA-compliant campus with ongoing accessibility improvements
Dining
Rating
★★★★☆
Score
4/5
Meal Plan
$6,200/yr
Multiple dining halls with farm-to-table options
Student Body
Race & Ethnicity
Outcomes
Median Earnings After Graduation
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.
Rankings
More About This School
Varsity Sports
History & Fun Facts
- •Bradley Hall is one of the first buildings constructed for the university and bears the name of the university's founder.
- •As a first step toward her goal, in 1892 she purchased a controlling interest in Parsons Horological School in LaPorte, Indiana, the first school for watchmakers in America and moved it to Peoria.
- •Bradley Polytechnic Institute was chartered on November 13, 1896.
- •Fourteen faculty and 150 students began classes in Bradley Hall on October 4, 1897 with construction workers still onsite.
Source: Wikipedia
Location & Lifestyle
Cost of Living
Housing and food costs are higher than national average