Admit rate has ranged 51%–74% 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.
Ohio Wesleyan University (OWU) is a small liberal arts college in Delaware, Ohio, where students thrive in a tight-knit, intellectually curious community. Known for its strong emphasis on undergraduate research and entrepreneurial spirit, OWU offers a personalized education with a surprising return on investment—ranked #2 in Ohio for graduate earnings. With an acceptance rate around 56%, it’s accessible yet rigorous, blending tradition with a globally minded campus culture.
Admission requirements
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Required
High school transcript
Grade point average
Letters of recommendation
College-prep program
TOEFL (non-native English)
Considered (not required)
Class rank
Test scores (SAT/ACT)
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
1,516
In-state tuition
$53,888
Out-of-state tuition
$53,888
Location
Delaware, OH
Acceptance Rate
56%
Notable Rankings
#2 in Ohio for ROI
Merit Scholarships
$25K–Full Tuition
Early Acceptance Rate
77.2%
Student-Faculty Ratio
11:1
4-Year Graduation Rate
51%
Median Earnings (6 Years Post-Grad)
$42,495
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$55,624
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
2.7×
Median debt at graduation
$27,000
Graduation rate
59%
First-year retention
85%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
77%
Pell (lower-income) share
48%
First-generation share
22%
Endowment / student
$201,867
Financial health
3.0 / 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.
Accounting and Related Services$51,273
Business/Managerial Economics$43,798
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness$31,848
Political Science and Government$30,409
Psychology, General$26,585
Fine and Studio Arts$23,649
Campus & location
Campus safety
On-campus violent crimes (2024)
2
Per 1,000 students
1.32
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
91
Summer high
81°F
Winter low
26°F
Annual rain
42.6"
Annual snow
22"
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
105
Scholarly works
2,611
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
1.7%
Bottom → top quintile
41%
From bottom quintile
4%
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 Ohio Wesleyan University?
Ohio Wesleyan University's acceptance rate is approximately 56% (Delaware, OH), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
How much does Ohio Wesleyan University cost?
At Ohio Wesleyan University, the average net price (after aid) is about $20,897 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend Ohio Wesleyan University?
Ohio Wesleyan University enrolls approximately 1,516 undergraduate students.
Where is Ohio Wesleyan University located?
Ohio Wesleyan University is located in Delaware, OH.
Admissions
Ohio Wesleyan’s admissions process is moderately selective, with an Acceptance rateThe share of applicants a college admits in a given year. A 10% acceptance rate means it admits about 1 in 10 applicants. of 56% (early acceptance jumps to 77.2%). The middle 50% of admitted students score between 1130-1330 on the SAT or 23-29 on the ACT, though scoring above 1270 SAT or 28 ACT nearly guarantees admission. The Fall 2025 incoming class totaled 568 students, with a gender breakdown of 53.7% female and 45.8% male. Notably, OWU’s admissions team emphasizes Holistic admissionsA review that weighs the whole applicant — grades, essays, activities, and context — rather than relying on test scores and GPA alone., weighing extracurricular involvement and essays alongside test scores.
OWU offers over 70 majors and minors, from Astrophysics to Creative Writing, with standout programs in Biological Sciences and Business. The Princeton Review praises its blend of 'liberal arts education' and 'fantastic financial aid,' while students highlight opportunities for independent research—often alongside faculty. Small class sizes are the norm, fostering close mentorship. The university awards BA, BS, and BFA degrees, with interdisciplinary options like Ancient Studies and Entrepreneurial Studies reflecting its flexible curriculum.
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.
Zoology/Animal Biology$20,140
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.
Life at OWU revolves around its residential campus, where nearly all students live. With 100+ clubs—from cultural organizations to a thriving arts scene—the campus buzzes with activity. Students describe the culture as 'open-minded,' enriched by international peers (highlighted at events like Culture Fest). The compact campus fosters convenience, though some joke about the dining hall food. Delaware, OH, offers local restaurants and a quaint college-town vibe, while nearby Columbus provides big-city escapes.
OWU punches above its weight in outcomes: 97% of graduates land jobs, grad school, or military service within six months. The four-year graduation rate is 51% (64% within six years), slightly above the national average. Median earnings six years post-graduation hit $42,495, but the real story is ROI—OWU ranks #2 in Ohio for lifetime financial returns. Alumni networks are strong, particularly in healthcare, education, and business, with many leveraging OWU’s research opportunities into PhD programs.
Tuition at OWU is steep—$52,768 average aid package brings the Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. down to $23,826 for 73.4% of students. Merit scholarships range from $25,000 to full-tuition, making it surprisingly affordable for high achievers. The financial aid office is proactive, with tools like the Net Price Calculator to demystify costs. One parent on College Confidential noted their son’s aid package was a 'game-changer,' allowing him to graduate debt-free—a testament to OWU’s commitment to accessibility.
OWU’s magic lies in its balance: rigorous academics without cutthroat competition, a cozy campus with global perspectives, and generous aid that makes elite outcomes attainable. Its #2 ROI ranking in Ohio defies the liberal-arts stereotype, proving that small classes and faculty mentorship translate to real-world success. Traditions like Culture Fest and an emphasis on undergrad research create a culture where students don’t just learn—they own their education. For those seeking a community that’s ambitious yet supportive, OWU delivers.
