Wesleyan University is a private nonprofit institution offering graduate degrees based in Middletown, Connecticut. It enrolls 3,067 students (a mid-sized student body), according to IPEDS 2023-24 data. Below you'll find verified data on admissions, cost, student outcomes, programs offered, and what graduates typically earn, all pulled from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS.
AccreditorNew England Commission on Higher Education
Academic CalendarSemester
How It Measures Up
US College Data scores each college on four pillars (outcomes, value, affordability, and selectivity) on a 0–100 scale, ranked within its peer group (4-Year Selective). Scores are calculated from verified College Scorecard and IPEDS data, not opinion or paid placement. Where data is missing, that pillar isn't scored.
Strong
74/100
UCD Score · 4-Year Selective
Outcomes96
Value40
Affordability11
Selectivity96
Admissions & Acceptance Rate
With an acceptance rate of 16.5%, Wesleyan University is a selective institution.
Acceptance Rate
16.5%
Very Selective
SAT Range (25th–75th)
1415 – 1540
Reading + Math combined
ACT Range (25th–75th)
33 – 35
Cumulative composite
Test PolicyNot ConsideredStandardized test scores are not used in admissions decisions.
5-Year Admission Trend
Acceptance rate over the last five admission cycles. The trend tells you whether Wesleyan University is getting harder, easier, or staying about the same.
Stable ↑
0.6 pts
since 2019
Cost & Financial Aid
The real cost of attending Wesleyan University isn't the sticker price. It's the net price,which is what most students actually pay after grants and scholarships. According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, the average net price is $30,177 per year. That's in line with the typical net price for private nonprofit colleges nationally.
Average Net Price
$30,177
Per year, after typical aid
Receive Pell Grants
14%
Need-based federal aid
Receive Federal Loans
16%
Borrowing to attend
Full Cost Breakdown
Published cost of attendance, the sticker price before grants and scholarships. Most students underestimate room & board and other expenses.
Tuition & Fees
$70,342
Room & Board (on-campus)
$19,872
Room & Board (off-campus)
$19,872
Books & Supplies
$1,200
Other Expenses (on-campus)
$1,550
Other Expenses (off-campus)
$1,550
Total Cost of Attendance
$89,020
Application fee: $65 (one-time, due at submission)
Net Price by Family Income
Aid is need-based, so net price varies by family income. Here's what each bracket typically pays after grants and scholarships.
Under $30,000
$4,871
$30,001 – $48,000
$3,604
$48,001 – $75,000
$6,175
$75,001 – $110,000
$17,294
Over $110,000
$51,140
Debt at Graduation
Cumulative federal-loan debt across the full borrowing distribution. The 10th and 90th percentiles bracket the typical range; the median sits in the middle.
$3,50010%percentile
$8,73925%percentile
$17,000Medianpercentile
$19,70375%percentile
$27,00090%percentile
Median Debt by Student Type
Median federal-loan debt at graduation broken down by demographic. Each slice's size is proportional to the dollar amount that group typically borrows.
GroupDebtvs Median
Pell recipients $11,500
↓ $5,500
No Pell $16,000
↓ $1,000
Dependent students $14,000
↓ $3,000
Independent students $11,500
↓ $5,500
Female students $14,000
↓ $3,000
Male students $13,500
↓ $3,500
Worth knowing:
Students who don't finish leave with a median debt of $6,477, less than completers ($17,000), but still a meaningful obligation without a degree in hand.
Graduation Rate & Retention
89% of full-time students who enrolled at Wesleyan University graduate within six years, and 95% return for their second year, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
6-Year Graduation Rate
89%
Of students who graduate within six years
First-Year Retention
95%
Returning for their second year
What this means:
Strong completion signals. Most students who start, finish.
After Graduation: Earnings & Outcomes
According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, students who entered Wesleyan University earn a median of $73,897 ten years after first enrolling. That's above the national median for U.S. colleges.
Median Earnings (10 yrs)
$73,897
Earning > $25K
86%
10 yrs after entry
Earnings Growth After Graduation
Median annual earnings 6, 8, and 10 years after students first enrolled.
Earnings by Demographic
Mean annual earnings 10 years after entry, segmented by demographic. Reveals gaps the headline median can't show.
By Gender
Female graduates
$57,000
Median earnings for female grads ten years after first enrolling here.
Male graduates
$70,900
Median earnings for male grads ten years after first enrolling here.
By Family Income at Entry
Family income (lowest third)
$67,400
Earnings of grads from the bottom-third of family incomes at entry.
Family income (middle third)
$56,600
Earnings of grads from the middle-third of family incomes at entry.
Family income (highest third)
$65,100
Earnings of grads from the top-third of family incomes at entry.
The gender gap:
Male graduates earn $13,900, about 20% more than female graduates ten years out. The gap reflects industry mix, role choice, and structural pay differences that exist across most US colleges.
Loan Repayment Progression
Share of completer-cohort borrowers paying down at least $1 of principal at the 1-, 3-, 5-, and 7-year mark. Climbing rates show graduates settling into careers and managing debt; flat or declining rates are a warning.
Stable ↑
3.2 pts
across 6 years
What this signals:
Excellent. 94% of graduates were paying down at least $1 of principal seven years out.
Who Studies Here
Wesleyan University is home to 3,067 students, a mid-sized community.
Total Enrolled
3,067
Part-Time
0%
First-Generation
20%
Race & Ethnicity Breakdown
Undergraduate student body composition reported to the US Department of Education.
GroupShareStudents
White 53.6%1,643
Hispanic 10.8%331
International 9.9%304
Asian 9.0%277
Other 7.2%222
Black 6.0%185
Student Life & Campus Culture
Where students live, learn, and connect at Wesleyan University. The campus setting, housing profile, and signals that shape day-to-day life here.
Setting
Small CityMiddletown, Connecticut
Housing
Strongly residential2,989 beds for 3,067 students
Adult Learners
2%of students are 25 or older
Athletics
NCAAathletic-conference member
Academic Calendar
Semesterscheduling structure
What You Can Study
Wesleyan University offers
an extensive catalog of programs:
53 distinct programs across
16 majors.
Below are its strongest majors, each with flagship programs and typical earnings.
Open a major to explore it in depth, or browse the full program catalog.
The student-to-faculty ratio at Wesleyan University is 7:1, low (small classes, more faculty contact).
Student : Faculty
7:1
Students per instructional faculty member
Endowment
$1.8B
Strong financial cushion supports aid and stability
Avg Faculty Salary
$123,376
9-month equivalent across all ranks
Faculty by Rank
434 instructional faculty across 5 ranks.
The rank mix shows how many senior faculty are teaching versus contingent or junior staff, with average salary equated to a 9-month contract.
Rank
Faculty Count
Share
Avg Salary
Full Professors
135
31%
$170,631
Associate Professors
119
27%
$117,637
Assistant Professors
116
27%
$97,311
Instructors
55
13%
$75,565
No Rank
9
2%
$118,575
Pros & Cons of Wesleyan University
A quick at-a-glance summary of how Wesleyan University tends to stack up for prospective students,weighing its data, size, setting, and cost profile together.
PROS
Highly selective, strong peer cohort
Small classes (low student-faculty ratio)
Strong six-year graduation rate
Strong first-year retention
Above-average post-graduation earnings
CONS
Above-average net price
Highly competitive admissions, many strong applicants are rejected
Very high published cost of attendance (full-pay families pay much more than the net-price average)
Predominantly serves middle- and upper-income families
Best for:
Based on the data, Wesleyan University is a fit for
students prioritizing post-graduation earnings; students seeking a highly selective peer group.
Frequently Asked Questions about Wesleyan University
Quick answers to the questions most students and parents ask. Every answer below is calculated from verified government data about Wesleyan University.
Is Wesleyan University hard to get into?
Wesleyan University is highly selective. Its acceptance rate is 16.5%, so admitted students generally have strong grades, competitive test scores, and a well-rounded application.
What is the acceptance rate at Wesleyan University?
Wesleyan University has an acceptance rate of 16.5%, according to College Scorecard 2023-24 admissions data.
What SAT score do you need for Wesleyan University?
The middle 50% of admitted students at Wesleyan University scored between 1415 and 1540 on the SAT (Reading + Math combined). Scores at the higher end of that range improve admissions odds materially. Per IPEDS 2023-24 data.
What ACT score do you need for Wesleyan University?
The middle 50% of admitted students at Wesleyan University scored between 33 and 35 on the ACT composite. Scores in the upper half of that range strengthen an application. Source: IPEDS 2023-24.
How much does Wesleyan University cost?
The average net price after aid at Wesleyan University is $30,177 per year, this is what students typically pay after grants and scholarships are applied. Net price data: College Scorecard 2023-24.
Is Wesleyan University worth it?
Moderate return on investment. Graduates earn a median of $73,897 ten years after entering, against an average net price of $30,177 per year. That's roughly 2.4x earnings-to-cost. Source: College Scorecard 2023-24.
What is Wesleyan University known for?
Wesleyan University is best known for its programs in Economics, Psychology, Political Science. These are the most popular fields by completed degrees, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
What do Wesleyan University graduates earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entering Wesleyan University are $73,897, based on College Scorecard 2023-24 federal earnings data for Title IV recipients.
Is Wesleyan University accredited?
Yes. Wesleyan University is accredited by the New England Commission on Higher Education.
How many students attend Wesleyan University?
Wesleyan University enrolls 3,067 students, per IPEDS 2023-24 fall enrollment data.
What is the graduation rate at Wesleyan University?
Wesleyan University graduates 89% of full-time students within six years, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
Is Wesleyan University a public or private college?
Wesleyan University is a Private Nonprofit institution.
Where is Wesleyan University located?
Wesleyan University is located in Middletown, Connecticut.
What programs does Wesleyan University offer?
Wesleyan University offers 53 distinct programs. The most popular include Economics, Psychology, Political Science.
What is the student-to-faculty ratio at Wesleyan University?
The student-to-faculty ratio at Wesleyan University is 7:1, per IPEDS 2023-24 data.
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