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PrivateSuburban

Ohio Wesleyan University

OWU

Delaware, Ohio 43015-2370

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Campus Vibe

Small & IntimateSuburbanPrivateSTEM Strong

Known for biology — close-knit campus

Ohio Wesleyan University is a private institution in Delaware with particular strength in biology and business. With an average SAT of 1311, the school attracts a broad applicant pool.

A small campus of 1.4K undergraduates with a 11:1 student-faculty ratio. The suburban location offers a balance of campus life and nearby amenities.

62% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $55,624 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $21,619.

Established
1842
Motto
In lumine tuo videbimus lumen
Mascot
The Battling Bishop
Type
Private liberal arts college
Division
Division III

Campus Visits

1 upcoming visit · Next: Mon, Jun 1 · Campus Tour

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51%Acceptance
1311SAT Avg
1,450Students
11:1Student:Faculty
62%Grad Rate
$55,624Earnings 10yr
$21,619Net Price

News & Alerts

program2026-03-15

Ohio Wesleyan University Launches New Data Science Minor

Starting Fall 2026, students can pursue an interdisciplinary data science minor combining CS, statistics, and domain courses.

tuition2026-02-28

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

Acceptance Rate50.7%

SAT Score Ranges

Average: 1311

Reading & WritingMid: 650
550685
MathMid: 650
555665

ACT Score Range

CompositeMid: 25
2531

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.

Admissions Intel

Acceptance Rate

50.7%

Trend

SAT Avg

1311

Yield Rate

35.0%

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition$52,357
Room & Board$14,226
Books & Supplies$1,000
Total Cost of Attendance$66,399
Average Net Price$21,619
Median Debt at Graduation$27,000
Monthly Payment (10yr)$286

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$14,920
$30–48K$13,089
$48–75K$15,819
$75–110K$17,444
$110K+$30,353

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

38.1%

Avg Tuition Increase

3.2%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$21,500

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

9

Peer Average

13

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

Campus security, emergency notification system

Incident Breakdown (2024)

2

Burglary

0

Aggravated Assault

0

Robbery

1

Motor Vehicle Theft

1

Sex Offenses

0

Arson

3

Drug Arrests

2

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Programs (62)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

84%

Mixed
  • 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

Dedicated OfficeOffice of Disability Services
Extended test timeNote-taking assistanceHousing accommodationsAccessible transportation

ADA-compliant campus with ongoing accessibility improvements

Dining

Rating

★★★★☆

Score

4/5

Meal Plan

$6,200/yr

VegetarianVeganGluten-freeHalalKosher

Multiple dining halls with farm-to-table options

Student Body

Undergrads
1,450
Gender Split
57% / 43%
Women / Men
First Generation
22%
Pell Grant Recipients
25%

Race & Ethnicity

White 74%
Black 7%
Hispanic 5%
Asian 3%
Two+ 5%
Int'l 5%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate61.7%
Freshman Retention84.3%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$42,495
10 Years$55,624

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

Rankings

U.S. News
#119
1
vs 2024
Wall Street Journal
#29
2
vs 2024
Washington Monthly
#158
vs 2024

More About This School

Varsity Sports — Battling Bishops

WrestlingRowingLacrosseBasketballSoccer

History & Fun Facts

  • History Main article: History of Ohio Wesleyan University Founding (1841–1855) The Sulphur Spring, renovated in 2005, was a major vacation spot for health seekers in the 1830s.
  • In 1841, Ohio residents Adam Poe and Charles Elliott decided to establish a university "of the highest order" in central Ohio.
  • Early in the following year they opened the college preparatory academy and formed a board of trustees.
  • Ohio Wesleyan's first president, Edward Thomson, stated in his inaugural address on August 5, 1846, that the school was "a product of the liberality of the local people.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

112Above Average

Housing and food costs are higher than national average

Climate (School Year)

68°
Sep
55°
Oct
42°
Nov
30°
Dec
25°
Jan
28°
Feb
38°
Mar
50°
Apr
62°
May
Snowfall: 48"Sunny days: 200Rainy days: 120

Nearest Cities

Bostonpop. 675,647
90 miles(95 min)
Hartfordpop. 121,054
60 miles(70 min)

Transit Scores

BikeableCampus shuttle: Free campus shuttle runs 7am-midnight
72
Walk Score
45
Transit Score
68
Bike Score

Local Economy

Unemployment Rate3.2%
Top Employers
UniversityRegional Medical CenterTech corridor firms
Key Industries
EducationHealthcareTechnology

Getting There

Nearest Airports

CMH Columbus23 mi
CLE Cleveland100 mi
CVG Cincinnati121 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA639 mi · ~18h 28m drive
New York, NY477 mi · ~13h 47m drive
Hartford, CT551 mi · ~15h 55m drive
Providence, RI616 mi · ~17h 48m drive
Albany, NY509 mi · ~14h 42m drive
Syracuse, NY405 mi · ~11h 42m drive
Rochester, NY344 mi · ~9h 56m drive
Buffalo, NY281 mi · ~8h 7m drive
Philadelphia, PA418 mi · ~12h 5m drive
Pittsburgh, PA162 mi · ~4h 41m drive
Harrisburg, PA326 mi · ~9h 25m drive
Newark, NJ468 mi · ~13h 31m drive
Washington, DC335 mi · ~9h 41m drive
Baltimore, MD350 mi · ~10h 7m drive
Atlanta, GA458 mi · ~13h 14m drive
Charlotte, NC371 mi · ~10h 43m drive
Raleigh, NC394 mi · ~11h 23m drive
Miami, FL1018 mi · ~29h 25m drive
Orlando, FL818 mi · ~23h 38m drive
Tampa, FL854 mi · ~24h 40m drive
Nashville, TN349 mi · ~10h 5m drive
New Orleans, LA816 mi · ~23h 34m drive
Richmond, VA358 mi · ~10h 21m drive
Chicago, IL261 mi · ~7h 32m drive
Detroit, MI141 mi · ~4h 4m drive
Minneapolis, MN610 mi · ~17h 37m drive
St. Louis, MO397 mi · ~11h 28m drive
Kansas City, MO617 mi · ~17h 49m drive
Indianapolis, IN167 mi · ~4h 49m drive
Columbus, OH23 mi · ~40 min drive
Cleveland, OH110 mi · ~3h 11m drive
Milwaukee, WI313 mi · ~9h 3m drive
Dallas, TX921 mi · ~26h 36m drive
Houston, TX1005 mi · ~29h 2m drive
Austin, TX1077 mi · ~31h 7m drive
San Antonio, TX1150 mi · ~33h 13m drive
Los Angeles, CA1970 mi · ~56h 55m drive
San Francisco, CA2102 mi · ~60h 43m drive
San Diego, CA1951 mi · ~56h 22m drive
Seattle, WA1994 mi · ~57h 36m drive
Portland, OR2016 mi · ~58h 14m drive
Denver, CO1158 mi · ~33h 27m drive
Phoenix, AZ1663 mi · ~48h 3m drive
Salt Lake City, UT1507 mi · ~43h 32m drive
Honolulu, HI4496 mi · ~129h 53m drive
Mid-Atlantic / Central (moderate winters, warm summers)

Visit Planning

Suggested Itinerary

9:00 AMArrive & park
Visitor parking lot
Free parking with visitor pass
9:30 AMCheck in at Admissions
Admissions Office
10:00 AMInformation session
Welcome Center
45 minutes
11:00 AMCampus tour
Starts at Welcome Center
75 minutes, student-led
12:30 PMLunch
Main Dining Hall
Visitor meal passes available
1:30 PMDepartment visit
Academic buildings
Schedule with department directly
2:30 PMExplore campus independently
Library, student center, residence halls

Airport Transit

Columbus (CMH)23 miles
Rental car
35 min$40-60/day
Shuttle/rideshare
46 min$28-46
Cleveland (CLE)100 miles
Rental car
150 min$40-60/day
Shuttle/rideshare
200 min$120-200

Deadline Calendar

Ohio Wesleyan University Application Checklist

Decision Notifications

Ohio Wesleyan University — v2 Preview — TourStack