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Bradley University

Peoria, Illinois 61625-0001

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Data last updated: May 29, 2026

Campus Vibe

UrbanSports culture

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.

Established
1897
Mascot
"Kaboom!" the gargoyle
Type
Private university
Conference
Missouri Valley Conference

Campus Visits

46 upcoming visits · Next: Fri, May 29 · Campus Tour

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77%Acceptance
1237SAT Avg
3,865Students
11:1Student:Faculty
72%Grad Rate
$66,852Earnings 10yr
$23,572Net Price

Admissions

Acceptance Rate76.7%

SAT Score Ranges

Average: 1237

Reading & WritingMid: 585
550650
MathMid: 585
540650

ACT Score Range

CompositeMid: 27
2531

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

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition$39,680
Room & Board$12,850
Books & Supplies$1,200
Total Cost of Attendance$52,730
Average Net Price$23,572
Median Debt at Graduation$27,000
Monthly Payment (10yr)$286

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$17,762
$30–48K$16,472
$48–75K$19,392
$75–110K$25,476
$110K+$29,736

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

36.0%

Avg Tuition Increase

4.3%/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)

8

Burglary

2

Aggravated Assault

1

Robbery

3

Motor Vehicle Theft

3

Sex Offenses

0

Arson

8

Drug Arrests

6

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%

Mixed

Student Body

Undergrads
3,865
Gender Split
51% / 49%
Women / Men
First Generation
24%
Pell Grant Recipients
29%

Race & Ethnicity

White 63%
Black 11%
Hispanic 14%
Asian 4%
Two+ 3%
Int'l 2%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate72.1%
Freshman Retention84.5%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$59,114
10 Years$66,852

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

Rankings

U.S. News
#189
vs 2024
Forbes
#230
vs 2024
Washington Monthly
#264
vs 2024

More About This School

Varsity Sports

Basketball

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

105Above Average

Estimated from IL state average + city premium

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 30"Sunny days: 200Rainy days: 125

Nearest Cities

Chicagopop. 2.7M
132 mi(229 min)
St. Louispop. 290K
146 mi(253 min)
Milwaukeepop. 570K
184 mi(319 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

ORD Chicago O'Hare125 mi
STL St Louis140 mi
MKE Milwaukee179 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA965 mi · ~27h 53m drive
New York, NY817 mi · ~23h 36m drive
Hartford, CT882 mi · ~25h 29m drive
Providence, RI947 mi · ~27h 21m drive
Albany, NY828 mi · ~23h 55m drive
Syracuse, NY711 mi · ~20h 32m drive
Rochester, NY640 mi · ~18h 29m drive
Buffalo, NY573 mi · ~16h 33m drive
Philadelphia, PA762 mi · ~22h 1m drive
Pittsburgh, PA505 mi · ~14h 35m drive
Harrisburg, PA669 mi · ~19h 20m drive
Newark, NJ808 mi · ~23h 21m drive
Washington, DC678 mi · ~19h 35m drive
Baltimore, MD695 mi · ~20h 5m drive
Atlanta, GA559 mi · ~16h 9m drive
Charlotte, NC609 mi · ~17h 36m drive
Raleigh, NC685 mi · ~19h 47m drive
Miami, FL1165 mi · ~33h 39m drive
Orlando, FL961 mi · ~27h 46m drive
Tampa, FL970 mi · ~28h 1m drive
Nashville, TN349 mi · ~10h 5m drive
New Orleans, LA743 mi · ~21h 28m drive
Richmond, VA688 mi · ~19h 53m drive
Chicago, IL132 mi · ~3h 49m drive
Detroit, MI358 mi · ~10h 21m drive
Minneapolis, MN349 mi · ~10h 5m drive
St. Louis, MO146 mi · ~4h 13m drive
Kansas City, MO285 mi · ~8h 14m drive
Indianapolis, IN193 mi · ~5h 35m drive
Columbus, OH352 mi · ~10h 10m drive
Cleveland, OH416 mi · ~12h 1m drive
Milwaukee, WI184 mi · ~5h 19m drive
Dallas, TX676 mi · ~19h 32m drive
Houston, TX822 mi · ~23h 45m drive
Austin, TX853 mi · ~24h 39m drive
San Antonio, TX925 mi · ~26h 43m drive
Los Angeles, CA1629 mi · ~47h 4m drive
San Francisco, CA1757 mi · ~50h 45m drive
San Diego, CA1614 mi · ~46h 38m drive
Seattle, WA1677 mi · ~48h 27m drive
Portland, OR1688 mi · ~48h 46m drive
Denver, CO813 mi · ~23h 29m drive
Phoenix, AZ1331 mi · ~38h 27m drive
Salt Lake City, UT1163 mi · ~33h 36m drive
Honolulu, HI4151 mi · ~119h 55m drive
Mid-Atlantic / Central (moderate winters, warm summers)

Deadline Calendar

Bradley University Application Checklist

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