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Kentucky Wesleyan College

#969 in US ranking Owensboro, KY
Type:
Private not-for-profit
Programs:
4 years or more

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Cost

Cost / year
$50,189
Tuition & fees
$35,770
Avg. aid
$26,288
Receiving aid
100%

Admissions

Acceptance rate
72%
SAT range
890–1130
ACT range
16–23

Outcomes

Graduation rate
47%
Median salary
$35,519
1 yr after graduation

What is the history of Kentucky Wesleyan College?

Kentucky Wesleyan College is a private liberal arts college founded in 1858 in Millersburg, Kentucky. Its Methodist origins remain part of its institutional identity, although students do not need to share a particular faith to consider enrolling.

The college later operated in Winchester before moving to Owensboro in 1951. That relocation established the campus prospective students visit today. Its history helps explain the combination of a broad undergraduate curriculum, an affiliation with the United Methodist Church, and a campus closely connected to the Owensboro community.

What are the faculties and departments at Kentucky Wesleyan College?

Kentucky Wesleyan College offers an undergraduate liberal arts curriculum rather than a large university system of separate professional schools. Students can explore fields across the humanities, natural and social sciences, education, business, and the arts.

Examples of areas represented in its academic offerings include biology, chemistry, mathematics, English, history, psychology, criminal justice, business, accounting, communication, music, and teacher education. Students considering a major should check the current academic catalog for its exact degree title, required courses, and any admission or field-placement requirements. That is especially important for teacher preparation and other paths tied to professional credentials.

The reported student-to-faculty ratio is 15 to 1. This describes enrollment relative to faculty, not the size of every class or the availability of a particular course each semester.

What is the location of Kentucky Wesleyan College?

Kentucky Wesleyan College is in Owensboro, a city in western Kentucky on the Ohio River. It has a single primary campus rather than a network of campuses that applicants must choose among.

Owensboro offers local employers, community organizations, and cultural venues that may be relevant to internships and off-campus activities. Students coming from farther away will likely need to plan around regional transportation: Owensboro-Daviess County Regional Airport is nearby, while flight options and ground connections should be checked for a specific trip. First-year students are permitted to park a car on campus, which may matter to commuters and students traveling home.

What is the mission and vision of Kentucky Wesleyan College?

Kentucky Wesleyan describes its educational purpose in terms of a liberal arts education and students' intellectual, spiritual, and personal development. Its affiliation with the United Methodist Church informs that stated mission.

For applicants, the practical question is how that identity appears in coursework and campus life. Academic programs span religious and nonreligious subjects, while campus ministry is one avenue for voluntary involvement. The college's mission expresses its goals; it should not be read as a measurable promise about any individual student's experience or outcome.

Kentucky Wesleyan College Profile - Basic Information

Name of the institution

Kentucky Wesleyan College

Level of institution

Four or more years

Control of institution

Private

Setting type

City: Small

Institutional Category

Degree - granting, primarily baccalaureate or above

Institution size category

Under 1,000

Religious affiliation

Protestant (United Methodist Church)

School type

Four-year college

Main student body

Coeducational

Calendar system

Semesters

Foundation year

1858

Kentucky Wesleyan College Accreditation

Kentucky Wesleyan College is institutionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Accreditation confirms that the school meets quality standards and is required for students to receive federal financial aid.

Kentucky Wesleyan College Programs and Degrees

iconCertificate of less than 1 year
iconAssociate's degree
iconBachelor's degree

Data last updated on November 2, 2026

Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026

Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.

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