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Ohio Wesleyan University

OWU

Delaware, Ohio 43015-2370

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Data last updated: May 29, 2026

Campus Vibe

Sciences-focusedTight-knitSuburbanGreek life

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

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

Plan Your Visit

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

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.

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

38.0%

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

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
vs 2024
Wall Street Journal
#29
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

92Average

Estimated from OH state average + suburban adjustment

Climate (School Year)

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

Nearest Cities

Columbuspop. 900K
23 mi(40 min)
Clevelandpop. 370K
110 mi(191 min)
Detroitpop. 640K
141 mi(244 min)

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

Deadline Calendar

Ohio Wesleyan University Application Checklist

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