Admit rate has ranged 61%–85% over the last 5 years — notably volatile. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.
Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.
Kansas Wesleyan University is a small, private Methodist-affiliated liberal arts college in Salina, Kansas, where the admissions process is accessible and the campus culture is defined by a close-knit, 'homey' community. Its identity is rooted in being 'student-centered and community focused,' offering a flexible mix of online and in-person programs with a pragmatic emphasis on post-graduation placement. This is a school for students seeking a supportive, hands-on environment where involvement in campus life and athletics is central to the experience.
Admission requirements
Test-blind — scores not considered
Required
High school transcript
Grade point average
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
More details
Undergrad enrollment
956
In-state tuition
$34,630
Out-of-state tuition
$34,630
Graduation Rate
49%
Student-Faculty Ratio
13:1
Median Earnings (10yr)
$51,152
First-Year Retention Rate
60%
Average Financial Aid Package
$23,015
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$51,152
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
2.3×
Median debt at graduation
$23,250
Graduation rate
49%
First-year retention
60%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
58%
Pell (lower-income) share
39%
First-gen share (among federal-aid recipients)
33%
Financial health
2.2 / 3.0Meets the federal financial-responsibility standard
U.S. Dept. of Education Financial Responsibility Composite Score (FY2022-23). Scale −1.0 to 3.0; ≥1.5 meets the standard. Reported for private nonprofit & for-profit institutions only — public universities are state-backed and not scored, so this is a stability signal, not a ranking.
Top-earning majors
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing$46,087
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods$36,560
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness$25,194
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings). Figures cover graduates who received federal aid and lag ~2 years; not all programs report data.
On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.
Climate
Pleasant days / yr
68
Summer high
91°F
Winter low
25°F
Annual rain
27.4"
Annual snow
14.1"
Natural-hazard risk
Relatively Low
Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.
Deep dive — research, future-scholar output & economic mobility▾
Research output
Institutional h-index
22
Scholarly works
274
Institutional research volume and impact from OpenAlex. The h-index reflects large research universities and will be low for teaching-focused liberal-arts colleges — not a measure of undergraduate quality.
Economic mobility
Mobility rate
0.0%
Bottom → top quintile
0%
From bottom quintile
5%
Mobility rate = the share of students who both start in the bottom household-income quintile and reach the top quintile; bottom → top is that chance conditional on starting at the bottom. Source: Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Cards (Chetty, Friedman, Saez, Turner & Yagan). Reflects 1980–82 birth cohorts, so it’s directional, not current.
Quick answers
What is the acceptance rate at Kansas Wesleyan University?
Kansas Wesleyan University's acceptance rate is approximately 72% (Salina, KS), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
How much does Kansas Wesleyan University cost?
At Kansas Wesleyan University, the average net price (after aid) is about $22,671 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend Kansas Wesleyan University?
Kansas Wesleyan University enrolls approximately 956 undergraduate students.
Where is Kansas Wesleyan University located?
Kansas Wesleyan University is located in Salina, KS.
Admissions
Kansas Wesleyan operates with a moderately selective, accessible admissions process. The university reports a straightforward set of baseline academic requirements: an unweighted 2.75 GPA paired with an ACT score of 18 or better (or a 960 SAT) will meet the criteria for admission. Scoring significantly above these benchmarks—such as a 1105 SAT or a 23 ACT—is noted to 'nearly guarantee you admission.' The process does not appear to hinge on complex, holistic reviews typical of more selective institutions; the emphasis is on meeting clear academic thresholds.
Unlike many private colleges, Kansas Wesleyan does not appear to offer an Early Decision binding application option, focusing instead on a standard admissions cycle. The university encourages prospective students to work directly with a personal admissions counselor, suggesting a high-touch, supportive approach to guiding applicants through the process.
Academics at KWU are built around flexibility and direct engagement. The university offers 'flexible, undergraduate, graduate, and pre-professional academic programs' in both online and in-person formats, catering to a range of student needs. The student-faculty ratio is a favorable 13:1, which supports the institution's student-centered mission. However, the average freshman retention rate—a common indicator of student satisfaction and academic fit—stands at 60%, suggesting some challenges in keeping first-year students engaged.
Students can choose from a range of traditional liberal arts and pre-professional majors housed within distinct academic departments. These include Art and Design, Behavioral Science & Human Services, Biology, Business & Accounting, Chemistry, and Communication Studies & Theatre Arts, among others. The curriculum appears designed to provide a broad foundation while allowing for specialized study, though the retention figure hints that the academic experience may not resonate equally with all who enroll.
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by one year’s net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.
Life at Kansas Wesleyan is intensely communal and activity-driven. With a total undergraduate enrollment of just 899 students, the scale is small, and the vibe is consistently described as 'homey and welcoming.' The university explicitly encourages students to 'be more than a student' by joining activities, meeting new people, and growing as leaders. Athletics and other extracurriculars are a major part of the fabric here; many students are involved in them.
The campus ministry program offers opportunities for personal growth, reflecting the school's Methodist heritage. Furthermore, KWU emphasizes a long-standing commitment to 'belonging and inclusion,' noting it was among the first to welcome women for co-education over a century ago. This focus on creating a welcoming environment is a stated priority, aiming to translate historical values into a modern, supportive campus community where students are expected to get involved.
Outcomes data reveals a mixed picture, with a strong recent record in job placement but lower overall graduation rates. The university proudly announced a 100% placement rate from its most recent post-graduate survey for one cohort, which increased KWU's three-year undergraduate placement rate to 98.2%. The report also noted that average earnings for these graduates 'jumped more than $9,000 on average and now exceeds $52,500.' This suggests a dedicated career services effort and successful outcomes for those who complete their degrees.
However, the broader graduation rate tells a different story. The six-year graduation rate is a central challenge, cited as a key factor in national rankings. While the most recent outcomes data shows a 43% graduation rate, the university's own published data shows variation year-to-year. This gap between high placement for completers and the rate of completion itself is a defining characteristic of the KWU experience—excellent results for those who persist, but a significant number do not persist to graduation.
KWU is priced as a typical private liberal arts college, but it uses institutional aid aggressively to lower the for most students. The university reports that, on average, students receive $23,015 in financial assistance from a combination of scholarships, grants, campus employment, and student loans. This aid package brings the average net price down considerably from the sticker price.
Prospective students are directed to use the university's Net Price Calculator to get a personalized estimate of their and potential aid. The financial aid process includes options for federal aid and various KWU scholarships, with the requirement that students be enrolled at least half-time to qualify. The aid strategy appears designed to make the institution financially accessible to a broad range of students, though the packages typically include loans as part of the mix.
Kansas Wesleyan stands out for its unapologetically intimate, supportive, and pragmatic approach to higher education. This isn't a university chasing prestige through low ; it's one that opens its doors to a wide range of students and then focuses intensely on community and outcomes once they're on campus. The 'homey' atmosphere isn't just marketing—it's a function of a sub-900 student population where involvement in clubs, organizations, and athletics is the norm, not the exception.
Its defining trait may be the stark contrast in its outcomes data: a near-perfect 98.2% three-year placement rate for graduates alongside a graduation rate that indicates many students don't make it to the finish line. This suggests a model that excels at launching those who complete their degrees but faces significant challenges in retaining students through to completion. For the student who thrives in a small, hands-on environment and is motivated by clear pathways to employment, KWU offers a direct and supportive route. For others, the fit may be less certain. It’s a college built on personal attention and practical results, with all the rewards and risks that model entails.
Kansas Wesleyan University seal · sourceKansas Wesleyan University · sourceDriving Directions - Kansas Wesleyan University · sourceKWU Announces New Capital Improvements - Kansas Wesleyan University · source
