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Ohio Wesleyan University

#309 in US ranking Delaware, OH
Type:
Private not-for-profit
Programs:
4 years or more

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Ohio Wesleyan University award
Ohio Wesleyan University award

Cost

Cost / year
$70,351
Tuition & fees
$54,954
Avg. aid
$42,385
Receiving aid
100%

Admissions

Acceptance rate
56%
Avg. SAT
1300
Avg. ACT
25

Outcomes

Graduation rate
59%
Median salary
$39,738
1 yr after graduation

What is the accreditation of Ohio Wesleyan University?

Ohio Wesleyan University is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Institutional accreditation applies to the university as a whole and is an important condition for participation in federal student aid programs.

Accreditation does not mean that every major carries separate professional accreditation, nor does it automatically secure admission to graduate school, acceptance of transfer credit, or a professional license. Students considering regulated careers - especially teaching - should check the applicable program's current approvals and the licensing rules of the state where they intend to work. A receiving college, not Ohio Wesleyan's accreditor, ultimately decides which credits it will accept in transfer.

What are the admission requirements at Ohio Wesleyan University?

First-year admission is selective rather than open: applicants generally submit an undergraduate application, a secondary-school transcript, and evidence of completing high school or an accepted equivalent. Ohio Wesleyan reviews academic performance and preparation; school rank and recommendations may be considered but are not universally required.

SAT and ACT scores are not required for general admission. Among enrolled students who did submit scores, the reported median SAT composite was 1300 and the median ACT composite was 25. Those figures describe score submitters, not a minimum required for admission or the entire entering class. In the reported admissions cycle, Ohio Wesleyan admitted approximately 56% of its first-time applicants.

Applicants whose schooling was not conducted in English may need to document English proficiency, including through an accepted test. International applicants should check the current list of accepted credentials and any exemption rules. Application rounds, deadlines, and requirements for particular applicant categories can change; students should use the admissions instructions for the term in which they plan to enter.

What are the application fees and waivers at Ohio Wesleyan University?

Ohio Wesleyan advertises undergraduate application as free, so applicants should not confuse an application fee with a later enrollment deposit or other charge. Before submitting, check the fee displayed for the specific application route and applicant category being used.

If an application system unexpectedly requests payment, ask undergraduate admissions to resolve it before submission rather than assuming that a later waiver will be automatic. A fee waiver, when applicable to a particular route, concerns the cost of applying - not tuition or the cost of reserving a place after admission.

What types of ROTC programs are available at Ohio Wesleyan University?

Prospective cadets should not assume that Ohio Wesleyan operates its own Army, Air Force, or Navy ROTC detachment. ROTC participation, where available through a cooperating institution, requires a separate check of the host unit's cross-enrollment arrangements, travel expectations, and eligibility rules.

ROTC scholarships are competitive and distinct from ordinary college financial aid or veterans' education benefits. Participation can also lead to a military service obligation. Before enrolling at Ohio Wesleyan on the assumption that a particular branch is accessible, obtain confirmation from that branch's host unit and Ohio Wesleyan about course registration and how ROTC requirements fit the degree schedule.

What are the requirements for transfer students at Ohio Wesleyan University?

Ohio Wesleyan accepts transfer applicants for fall and spring entry and generally considers college credits earned at other accredited institutions. Admission as a transfer student and acceptance of particular courses toward a degree are separate decisions.

Transfer applicants should expect to provide transcripts from every college attended and follow any instructions concerning high school records. The university evaluates previous coursework against its own requirements; an accepted course might count toward a major, a general requirement, or elective credit. Applicants with substantial completed coursework should request an official evaluation early enough to understand how many Ohio Wesleyan courses remain.

That distinction matters for students entering structured majors: receiving credit for a science course, for example, does not necessarily establish that it satisfies a specific laboratory sequence. Confirm current application dates, any major-specific conditions, and the minimum coursework that must be completed at Ohio Wesleyan before relying on a projected graduation date.

What types of study abroad programs are available at Ohio Wesleyan University?

Ohio Wesleyan offers international learning through study-away advising and its OWU Connection, including short-term Travel-Learning Courses tied to academic subjects. Longer study-abroad options may involve approved external programs rather than courses operated entirely by the university.

Format affects planning. A faculty-led trip, a semester program, and an international internship can have different prerequisites, calendars, charges, and methods of awarding credit. Students should obtain academic approval before committing to a program and ask how major requirements, institutional scholarships, federal aid, and travel costs will be handled. Passport, visa, and program deadlines can fall well before the intended departure term.

Ohio Wesleyan University Admissions Factors

Avg. SAT
1300
Avg. ACT
25
Acceptance rate
56%

Acceptance rate vs. median

This school
56%
Ohio
78%
US
78%

13% of admitted students enrolled (432 of 3,416)

Ohio Wesleyan University Admissions

Applicants
Total: 6,144
Admission
Total: 3,416
Enrolled
Total: 432
Women
Men

How to Apply to Ohio Wesleyan University

Regular application deadline

March 1

Early Decision

Yes, deadline October 15

Early Action

Yes, deadline December 1

Ohio Wesleyan University First-Year Students

Where first-year students come from

In-state: 308
Out-of-state: 103
International: 21

Freshmen vs. transfer students

Freshmen: 432
Transfer: 39

Ohio Wesleyan University Admission Requirements

Median composite SAT score

1300

Median composite ACT score

25

High school completions

General Educational Development (GED) required

Computer required

No

Computer purchase/lease plan is available in the institution

No

Secondary school GPA

Required

Secondary school rank

Considered but not required

Secondary school record

Required

Completion of college-preparatory program

Required

Recommendations

Considered but not required

Formal demonstration of competencies

Neither required nor recommended

Admission test scores

Neither required nor recommended

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language

Required

Other Test (Wonderlic, WISC-III, etc.)

Neither required nor recommended

Open admission policy

No

Dual credit

No

Credit for life experiences

Yes

Advanced placement (AP) credits

Yes

Special learning opportunities

Orientation program

Yes

Disabilities services

Yes

Study abroad

Yes

Weekend/evening college

Yes

Student can complete their preparation in certain areas of specialization

Yes

Preparation at another institution required

No

Approved by the state for initial certification or licensure of teacher

Yes

Ohio Wesleyan University Transfer Acceptance Rate

Accept ACE recommendation for credit

Yes

Possible transfer

Fall, Spring

Data last updated on November 5, 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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