Ohio Wesleyan University
#4 Best Biology Colleges in Ohio- Graduation Rate
- 60% C
- About half of students who start complete their degree
- Earnings (10yr)
- $55,624 B
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $20,897 D+
- 22% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 56% B+
- Selective, but achievable with strong credentials
Bottom line: A C+ overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 19.1× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $19.1 over 20 years. Ranked #4 in Best Biology Colleges in Ohio.
Every $1 spent returns $19.1 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,509,492.
What The Data Says
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A C+ overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Earnings 36% above the national college median.
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Every $1 invested returns $19.1 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Ohio Wesleyan University Matters
Ohio Wesleyan University is a private liberal arts college in Delaware, OH and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Private Liberal Arts College
- Carnegie Class
- Baccalaureate · Arts & Sciences
- Enrollment
- 1,516
- Setting
- Suburban
- Designations
- 71
- Primary Strengths
- Biology & Biomedical, Business & Marketing, Social Sciences, Education
Why students choose Ohio Wesleyan University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Competitive — admits about 56% of applicants. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $20,897 a year after grants and scholarships — 22% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $55,624 ten years after enrolling — 36% above the typical college, against $27,000 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.7% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 37% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.72 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
Ohio Wesleyan University is a solid choice for students interested in a well-rounded education with a focus on liberal arts. With an enrollment of about 1,516 students, it strikes a balance between community and opportunity. Here, you’ll find strong programs in Biology & Biomedical fields, Business & Marketing, Social Sciences, Education, and English & Literature. This diversity in study areas allows students to explore their interests while preparing for various career paths.
Looking ahead to life after graduation, Ohio Wesleyan graduates earn a median salary of $55,624 ten years after completing their degree. This figure speaks to the potential for financial stability, especially for those who leverage their education effectively in the job market. The affordability factor is also noteworthy; while the net price after aid is around $20,897, it’s important to consider how that investment pays off in the long run, particularly when paired with the right degree.
When it comes to the practical aspects of attending Ohio Wesleyan, the average student graduates with about $27,000 in debt, which is manageable for many. Students who thrive here typically appreciate a close-knit campus atmosphere and the chance to engage deeply with their studies. With a 60% graduation rate, those who commit to their education and take advantage of resources tend to find their footing in a supportive environment, setting the stage for future success.
Rankings
Can I Get In?
How selective Ohio Wesleyan University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Ohio Wesleyan University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Ohio Wesleyan University, located in Delaware, Ohio, offers a realistic path to admission, with roughly 56% of applicants receiving an offer. Admitted students typically arrive with a mid-range ACT score around 25. The graduation rate is roughly 60%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 56%
- Retention Rate
- 85%
- ACT Midpoint
- 25
- Full-Time Faculty
- 58%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $8,792
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 11:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.47
- First-Gen Students
- 22%
- Applicants
- 5,324
- Admitted
- 2,778
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Ohio Wesleyan University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Ohio Wesleyan University is $53,888, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $20,897. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $15,412 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $27,000 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $53,888
- Out-of-State
- $53,888
- Avg Net Price
- $20,897
- Median Debt
- $27,000
- Pell Grant Rate
- 28%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 62%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $15,412
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $10,706
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $13,339
- Family Income $110K+
- $30,036
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Ohio Wesleyan University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Ohio Wesleyan University earn a median of $55,624, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $42,495
- 8 Years
- $48,945
- 10 Years
- $55,624
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.49x
- Earning > $25K
- 61%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (275)
- 60%
- 100% (275)
- 60%
- 100% (275)
- 60%
- 100% (275)
- 60%
How Ohio Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Ohio Wesleyan University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Ohio Wesleyan University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $20,897/year ($83,588 total). Graduates earn $55,624 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,593,080 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,509,492 (19.1× your investment). The median debt is $27,000, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 60% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $83,588
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,593,080
- Net Return
- $1,509,492
- ROI Multiple
- 19.1×
- Cost Per Year
- $20,897
- Median Debt
- $27,000
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 60%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Ohio Wesleyan University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Ohio Wesleyan University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.75%, well above the typical college. About 4.2% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 41.3% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $103,000, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.75%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 41.3%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 4.2%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $103,000
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $6,079,315
- Investment Income
- $-24,456,844
Top Programs
The fields Ohio Wesleyan University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Each links to its degree guide — with salary, growth, and the schools with the strongest outcomes.
- Biology & Biomedical 21%
- Business & Marketing 16%
- Social Sciences 9%
- Education 7%
- English & Literature 5%
- Psychology 5%
- Communications 4%
- Visual & Performing Arts 4%
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Ohio Wesleyan University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Marketing Manager$156,580 · 8% growthAdaptable 64
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- B-Optometrist$131,860 · 9% growthResilient 96
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Ohio Wesleyan University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Ohio Wesleyan University, located in Delaware, Ohio, offers a realistic path to admission, with roughly 56% of applicants receiving an offer. Admitted students typically arrive with a mid-range ACT score around 25. The graduation rate is roughly 60%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Ohio Wesleyan University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Ohio Wesleyan University is $53,888, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $20,897. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $15,412 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $27,000 in federal student loans.
Is Ohio Wesleyan University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Ohio Wesleyan University earn a median of $55,624, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Ohio Wesleyan University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Ohio Wesleyan University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.75%, well above the typical college. About 4.2% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 41.3% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $103,000, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Ohio Wesleyan University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Ohio Wesleyan University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.72, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 12% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Ohio Wesleyan University.
- University of LynchburgLynchburg, VA · Close peer60% grad $56,380 earn 43% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Russell Sage CollegeTroy, NY · Close peer59% grad $58,316 earn 53% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Alma CollegeAlma, MI · Close peer63% grad $54,742 earn 57% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Madonna UniversityLivonia, MI · Close peer59% grad $59,058 earn 63% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- SUNY College of Environmental Science and ForestrySyracuse, NY · Close peer68% grad $55,763 earn 63% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Union UniversityJackson, TN · Close peer68% grad $53,990 earn 60% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Ohio Wesleyan University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Ohio Wesleyan University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.72, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 12% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note