Wesleyan University in United States of America

Wesleyan University, founded in 1831, is a diverse, energetic liberal arts community where critical thinking and practical idealism go hand in hand.
Our student body of approximately 3,000 undergraduate and 200 graduate students is housed on a beautiful 316-acre historic New England campus that offers the comfort of an intimate and collaborative learning environment supported by renowned faculty, cutting-edge facilities, and unique research opportunities.

With our distinctive scholar-teacher culture, creative programming, and commitment to interdisciplinary learning, Wesleyan challenges students to explore new ideas and change the world. Our graduates go on to lead and innovate in a wide variety of industries, including government, business, entertainment, and science.

Wesleyan at a Glance

A private, coeducational, non-sectarian school of liberal arts and sciences, offering undergraduate, graduate, and PhD degree programs.

Students

• About 3,000 full-time undergraduates
• 53% women and 47% men, from 51 U.S. states and territories and 64 foreign countries
• 4.6% of the Class of 2027 identify as transgender, gender nonbinary, or genderqueer
• Around 140 graduate students in the natural sciences, mathematics, and ethnomusicology
• Around 70 students in Graduate Liberal Studies
• 33% students of color in Classes 2024–2027 (5.7% Black or African American; 9.3% Asian or Asian American; 10.2% Latino or Hispanic; 0.1% Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander; 7.3% two or more races); 10.4% international students

Faculty

• Over 400 faculty members. All teach undergraduates while remaining active as scholars and/or researchers.
• 47% women and 53% men; 29% persons of color, as of the 2022–23 academic year
• 8:1 student-faculty ratio, as of the 2022–23 academic year

Degrees

• Bachelor of arts, bachelor of liberal studies, master of arts, master of arts in liberal studies, master of philosophy in liberal arts, and doctoral degrees (in six disciplines).
• 763 bachelor of arts and 65 graduate degrees were awarded in 2023.

Academic Features

• More than 1,000 courses offered in 47 major fields of study, 32 minor fields of study, and 2 certificate programs
• More than 900 individual tutorials and private music lessons
• Eight Colleges and eight Academic Centers
• Wesleyan study abroad programs in Bologna, Italy; Madrid, Spain; and Paris, France; and approximately 150 other pre-approved programs around the world
• Participant in the Twelve-College Exchange Program

Facilities

• 316-acre campus
• More than 300 buildings, including: Olin Memorial Library; Russell House, a National Historic Landmark; the six-story Exley Science Center; Andrus Public Affairs Center; the Van Vleck Observatory; the Jeanine Basinger Center for Film Studies; the Freeman Athletic Center with a 50-meter swimming pool, the Spurrier-Snyder Rink for skating activities, the 1,200-seat Silloway Gymnasium, the 7,500-square-foot Andersen Fitness Center, and the Rosenbaum Squash Center with eight courts; the 11-building Center for the Arts complex; Davison Art Center, a National Historic Landmark; Fayerweather with Beckham Hall; Usdan University Center; Boger Hall, which houses the Gordon Career Center, the College of Letters, and the Paoletti Art History Wing; and Allbritton Hall, which houses the Allbritton Center for the Study of Public Life, the Jewett Center for Community Partnerships, and the Patricelli Center for Social Entrepreneurship, among other offices.

Athletics

• Wesleyan is a member of the New England Small College Athletic Conference (an 11-member league in NCAA Division III).
• 30 varsity teams; 20 club sports teams; 12 intramural activities
• Approximately 900 students participate in intercollegiate sports each year

Extracurriculars

• More than 200 student organizations covering a range of interests: academic and career; club sports and health/fitness; community service, philanthropy, fundraising, and volunteering; identity, activism, social justice, and spirituality; performance and visual arts, including dance, theater, improv, film/photography, media, music, and publications; societies, special interest 
• New groups are formed constantly in response to student interest

Admission (for Class of 2027)

• Highly selective, based on individual achievement and promise, with a commitment to enroll a diverse student body and meet full demonstrated need; limited aid available for international students
• 14,500 applications received; 2,479 students admitted (17.1%); 782 students enrolled
• 53% women, 47% men enrolled
• Wesleyan University has been test optional since 2014. Of the students who chose to submit test scores with their applications for admission to the Class of 2027, the median SAT score for students enrolled was 750 ERW, 760 math; ACT 34.
• Of all students enrolled in the Class of 2027, 32% are students of color (6% Black or African American; 9.2% Asian or Asian American; 9.7% Latino or Hispanic; 7% two or more races); 11.6% are international students.

Tuition and Financial Aid

• Tuition, fees, residential comprehensive fee, and estimated cost for books, supplies, and miscellaneous expenses for 2023-24 total $87,250 for all BA students, plus a one-time $300 matriculation fee for first-time students only
• The Financial Aid Office at Wesleyan University is committed to enabling admitted students to attend, regardless of the family's financial circumstances. Accordingly, Wesleyan's financial aid program awards assistance solely on the basis of financial need and meets the full demonstrated need of admitted students. Beginning in Fall 2024, Wesleyan will no longer include loans as part of its financial aid packages. The University will meet all students' demonstrated financial need without the burden of borrowing.
• In 2023-24, 39% of students received need-based scholarship awards averaging $62,160; Wesleyan scholarships for all four undergraduate classes total more than $76 million

Accreditation

• Wesleyan was last accredited in 2023 by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).

Student Life

Foster your independent spirit—in the middle of the action! Our 316-acre campus, located in Middletown, Connecticut, is home to over 300 spaces for you to learn, create, collaborate, and experience life together, including libraries, restaurants, cafés, theaters, a full 11-building art center complex, state-of-the-art science and technology facilities—including an observatory—athletics facilities, and a student-run organic farm.

We believe there is no better way to immerse yourself in discovery and experimentation than to be where the action is, which is why we make “we” a priority: our students live on campus for their entire four years, making Wesleyan an uncommonly close community.