Founded in 1842, Ohio Wesleyan University. is a Private college. Located in Ohio, which is a city setting in Ohio, the campus itself is Suburban. The campus is home to 1,638 full time undergraduate students, and 0 full time graduate students.
The Ohio Wesleyan University Academic calendar runs on a Semester basis. In the school year the student to faculty ratio was 10:1. There are 138 full time instructional teachers. Degrees awarded at Ohio Wesleyan University include: Bachelor's Degree, Masters Degree, Post-master's certificate, Doctor's degree.
Quick Facts
Acceptance Rate
71%
Application Deadline
15-Nov
Application Fee
35
SAT Range
ACT Range
Admissions at OWU are considered Selective, with ,37% of all applicants being admitted.
In the school year, of the students who applied to the school, only 12 of those who were admitted eventually ended up enrolling.
89% of incoming freshmen are in the top half of their high school class. 63% were in the top quarter, and 32% were in the top tenth. You can apply online.
STUDENT LIFE Reviews
We asked, and students answered these important questions about student life at Ohio Wesleyan University.
8%
“We”re apathetic”
16%
“We know about current events and vote”
63%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
12%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
11%
“We save it for the classroom”
15%
“Sometimes, but not often”
47%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
27%
“All the time, including weekends”
3%
“I”m always terrified”
8%
“I only go out in groups”
42%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
47%
“I feel extremely safe”
38%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
49%
“We bought the gear”
14%
“We live for the big game”
1%
“It”s not really our thing”
10%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
64%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
25%
“We”re a very artistic group”
1%
“Haven”t met them”
3%
“Available in class”
28%
“They keep regular office hours”
68%
“They”re always available”
0%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
30%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
62%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
8%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
0%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
7%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
61%
“We only party on weekends”
32%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
1%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
50%
“There might be people who do”
40%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
8%
“There”s a huge drug scene”
8%
“We”re apathetic”
16%
“We know about current events and vote”
63%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
12%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
11%
“We save it for the classroom”
15%
“Sometimes, but not often”
47%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
27%
“All the time, including weekends”
3%
“I”m always terrified”
8%
“I only go out in groups”
42%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
47%
“I feel extremely safe”
38%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
49%
“We bought the gear”
14%
“We live for the big game”
1%
“It”s not really our thing”
10%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
64%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
25%
“We”re a very artistic group”
1%
“Haven”t met them”
3%
“Available in class”
28%
“They keep regular office hours”
68%
“They”re always available”
0%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
30%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
62%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
8%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
83 Students rated on-campus housing 3.6 stars. 11 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate off-campus housing?
65 Students rated off-campus housing 2.8 stars. 0 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate campus food?
84 Students rated campus food 3.1 stars. 10 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate campus facilities?
84 Students rated campus facilities 3.8 stars. 29 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate class size?
84 Students rated class size 4.6 stars. 69 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate school activities?
84 Students rated school activities 4.1 stars. 44 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate local services?
84 Students rated local services 4 stars. 38 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate academics?
84 Students rated academics 3.9 stars. 38 % gave the school a 5.0.
Ohio Wesleyan University REVIEWS
What's your overall opinion of Ohio Wesleyan University?
31 Students rated Ohio Wesleyan University
Gabrielle
Prospective04/23/2025
I really appreciate the small, yet beautiful campus! I love the small class sizes and the generous financial aid! I wish they had an occupational therapy major for undergraduates!
Cathy
Prospective04/06/2025
What attract me to Ohio Wesleyan University is it strong commitment to academic excellence. I'm also drawn to the small class sizes and close relationships students can build with professors. Outside of academics, I'm impressed by the diverse and active student life. From clubs and organizations to campus traditions. Overall, OWU offers the balance of academics and opportunity also support i'm looking for in a college experience.
Kiera
12/07/2024
Ohio Wesleyan University is an outstanding school for several reasons, personability with their professors, academic resources, career connection, creating friendships, and gaining research opportunities. I have met many people, meeting some of my best friends now. I have also been able to participate in research, while conducting my own research. I highly suggest attending OWU, for the people, the professors, and so much more!
Kadijah
11/22/2024
Ohio Wesleyan University has a lot to offer, especially for a high school senior visiting for the first time. The campus itself is beautiful, with a mix of historic and modern buildings, green spaces, and a welcoming atmosphere. As I walked around, I noticed that the students seemed friendly and approachable, which made it feel like a community where everyone supports one another.
Academically, Ohio Wesleyan has a solid reputation with a variety of programs and majors. The emphasis on liberal arts education can help students develop critical thinking and communication skills that are valuable in any field. I appreciated the small class sizes and the opportunity to engage directly with professors, which can really enhance the learning experience.
Extracurricular activities and sports are also a big part of campus life. There are plenty of clubs and organizations to get involved in, catering to a wide range of interests. If you’re looking for a place where you can thrive academically while also having a well-rounded college experience, Ohio Wesleyan seems like a great choice.
Overall, my visit left me with a positive impression of the university. It feels like a supportive environment where students can grow both personally and academically.
Gabriela
07/08/2023
I love the environment and sense of community that the university provides, they are inclusive of the LGBTQIA+ community and always have events on campus to promote cultural diversity. The professors are friendly and hold regular office hours, the university also has many opportunities to grow and help you find what you'll love to do in life.
Sierra
08/01/2022
Ohio Wesleyan University is a small private school in the middle of Delaware, Ohio, about 30 minutes outside of Columbus. The campus is in a very safe area with low crime rates and is surrounded by many small shops. The class sizes are small, so student-professor relationships are easy to create and very helpful when it comes to getting a job or internship outside of school. There are many clubs, programs, and houses, like greek life, that students can join. In my opinion, the school is beautiful and the connection with the professors allows for a very interpersonal education experience.
Finn
05/28/2020
I love my school for the people, the professors, and the way it caters to my learning abilities. Classes are small to help professors interact with their students, but it can feel a bit oppressive and stifling to constantly rely on only a small group of people and/or feel pressured to constantly be doing your best. The classes depend entirely on the professors, but for the most part, they make do with what they're given. Some classes feel dated, while others are ultra-modern. It is a stark reminder of the way that colleges and education seem to be something of a commodity than anything, but I digress. It is integral to interact with students and stay on top of things, but you are never truly on your own since the school is filled with people who dedicate themselves to the success of students and their families. It is very expensive, but arguably gives a quality education to everyone who can afford it.
Joy
12/17/2019
I've been at Ohio Wesleyan for 2 years now. There are many things to like and a few things to dislike. As a black student, you find teachers and students that are often racist whether its intentional or passive. But on the other hand, the teachers that are for you absolutely are amazing. It is important that you make friends in Columbus because Delaware is a small town and there is not much to do outside of the things on campus.
Alexis
11/17/2019
Overall Ohio Wesleyan is a great institution. Just like any other they have their faults. But they are actively working to fix the problems they do have. They are doing multiple campus renovations in the academics as well as the residential. Professors are easy to reach out to always willing to help, and if they cannot help they will find someone that will. There are an array of campus extracurriculars to be apart of, work with. Campus programming there is not a dull moment. Sundays are probably the only time when things are not going on. But there is many offices spaces dedicated to each student, and their needs.
Trina
10/15/2019
Loved my years there. Might be easier to get into than other schools but once there, wow! You will have to work really hard to get good grades. Don't--don't--goof off your freshman year! Focus on your academics and do "social on the side." You really want to get a good GPA right off the bat because the work just gets harder as you move through your years there. Take advantage of everything you can and try to study abroad. Join clubs, get involved. The town and general area are not very exciting but the school offers a lot to those who want to try new things. I now have two master's degrees and credit OWU with instilling a love of learning and challenging me intellectually.
Ciara
10/11/2019
Before I came to this college I took about three tours around campus to make sure it was the right campus for me. And to my surprise it was. At first I was scared coming here because I didn't know anyone and for me it is kind of hard making new friends because I'm sort of shy, but once I'm out of my shell it's party time. So far, two months in and I absolutely love it here. From the teachers, to the faculty, to the students, I love it all you name it! Plus it has the best programs here for travel, since the school pays for half the cost. I couldn't choose a better school!
Alexis
09/02/2019
OWU is overall a great university. A large amount of opportunities for internships, study abroad, traveling to other countries. You can work professors to do research on something you are interested in. Class size is small, professors are easily accessible. You can go and speak with them after class, send them an email, go to their office hours. There are just endless opportunities, building an experience for 4 years is so amazing. You meet people from around the world and all walks of life. Like anywhere the University needs some improving in the curriculum but otherwise it is a great institution to be apart of.
Anna
07/31/2019
OWU is, in my opinion, perfect for students like myself, who want the academic resources of many larger schools in a small, private school environment. In fact, everything academically has been wonderful. There are many opportunities to get real-world experience. The largest downside, however, is the overly homogenous political culture, which leads to an echo chamber of sorts. Any ideas outside off the accepted margins are not appreciated.
Jayden
06/21/2019
I think its a school with a lot of potential but they aren't very good at giving out money and can be a bit disorganized at times. There is improved food and they are planning on upgrading some of the older facilities and the housing. Teachers are pretty helpful and so are other students.
Ryan
05/18/2019
I was a theatre major, and I changed to medicine. Ohio Wesleyan is phenomenal when it comes to preparing you for the next step in your journey. The forms aren’t great, but I guarantee you, you will not find a better set of professors that care and want you to succeed. YOU WILL GO FAR if you become a bishop... they will train you well.
The fall 2020 acceptance rate for Ohio Wesleyan University is 71%. That means, out of _____ applications received in 2020, _____ students were offered admission.
What should every freshman at your school know before they start?
it is very important that a child looks at different types of colleges to apply to. you might have an idea in your head of the only kinds you like, but actually visiting the schools can change your mind. make sure parents ask questions about finacial aids, living areas, what kinds of sctivites most students take part in. if the school is deserted on weekends or busy. make sure parents you look to see what is around the school. if the school is in the middle of no where is your child going to be happy there even if they get money to go there. make sure parents and children are talking openly to each other about what they want out of college, what degree and where the school is from home. neither the child or parent has all the answers so it is important to listen to both sides and make sure you have all the information before deciding. you can never ask a college to many questions.
Overall, my classmates are friendly, engaging, and unique individuals who are not afraid to be themselves and they are well-rounded students, working hard in and out of class while balancing extracurricular activities, especially service-oriented projects.
Every student at OWU has a core curriculum they must satisfy in order to graduate. This allows each student to take many diverse classes they might not have thought they would take. In every class I take I am on a name basis with my professor and it's hard not to be with only 20-30 students in a class.
I'm an Accounting major in the Economics department. I would say about half of OWU's students are Economics majors. Education at OWU is geared toward getting a job, the majority of the professors are and have been very successful outside of teaching and are able to help students find a job before graduating.
The best thing about OWU is it's academics. The class sizes are perfect, they are small enough to be on a name basis with your professor and to take something from each class you take. Although OWU is small, coming from a small town it's nice to maintain the same atmosphere.
Most of my time on campus is spent either in the library on weekday nights or at our local bar in town, Clancey's, on weekends
There is a lot of school pride at OWU. In the spring, hungover or not from the Friday night before, you'll still be pumped to tailgate for Saturday's lacrosse game.
I'd say the most frequent student complaints is that there is nothing else to do on the weekends besides partying at the bar, which can get old.
What are the most popular student activities/groups?
Campus Programming Board and C.L.E.A.R. are organizations on campus that are dedicated to providing students with fun and unique opportunities throughout the year. From spending a weekend night at Sky Zone to having First Lady Michelle Obama herself speak on campus, Ohio Wesleyan has numerous groups who do their best to serve students outside the classroom.
What is the stereotype of students at your school?
I think that people feel that OWU students are stuck up rich kids who drink and party a lot. Also, I have heard people say that OWU was their safety school.
What do you consider the worst thing about your school? Why?
The worst thing about my school is the fact that tuition continues to increase every year. This makes it hard to pay tuition. And even though there are many scholarships available when a student is entering their freshmen year, there are very few scholarships offered for upperclassmen.
What's the one thing you wish someone had told you about freshman year?
I wish I knew what occupational opportunities the school assisted in for my major. Coming in, I knew what major I wanted, but not what I wanted to become. OWU helped me get the degree I wanted, but after that, I was left alone to find what my zoology degree would take me. Most people from my school went to graduate schools, and therefore, the options for job-seekers were limited.
The small class sizes really lead to an involved, tight-knit community. There is time and room for conversation and discussion between students and professors. When you are in class, you get to know the other students sitting next to you and you really get the opportunity to interact on levels that you would not get to at schools with large lecture halls.
What do you brag about most when you tell your friends about your school?
I often bragged about the great friends I made and the fun experiences I had with them. Also, in terms of academic bragging, Ohio Wesleyan professors are phenomenal. They are very involved in their area of study and are very passionate when teaching. Professors are always willing to help, and some even genuinely enjoy discussing matters with students outside of the classroom.
What is the stereotype of students at your school? Is this stereotype accurate?
I don't know about stereotype... but, if you're interested in going Greek, 33{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of students on campus are involved with Greek Life, so you'll find plenty of friends. However, there are standards that Ohio Wesleyan's fraternities and sororities are required to meet that are based on academia, student conduct, and more that students must be aware of and live up to. I personally am not involved in Greek Life because I want to limit my exposure to underage drinking, and also going Greek is very expensive. Some friends swear by it though, saying the family and community they gained from it is one of the best things they've done in their college career.
All students must apply yearly for financial aid. This process starts with the FAFSA.
Though financial aid deadlines vary by school, it is a good idea to apply as soon as possible. For the upcoming school year, you can apply as early as October 1 for the FAFSA. Additional school aid will be dependent on the FAFSA results.
100% of students attending Ohio Wesleyan University receive some sort of financial aid.
32% were awarded federal grants.66%received federal loans. Many students do also need to apply for additional private student loans.