A Methodist-rooted liberal arts college in Delaware, Ohio, emphasizing transformational learning and global engagement.
Ohio Wesleyan offers over 70 majors and minors across sciences, humanities, social sciences, business, engineering, and pre-professional fields including medicine, dentistry, law, and engineering. The curriculum centers on The OWU Connection, an integrated framework emphasizing interdisciplinary learning, global immersion, community engagement, and real-world application. Most classes have fewer than 20 students, with no large lecture halls. First-year students take the seminar 'How to Change the World' and are paired with academic advisors. The university is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the Great Lakes Colleges Association and Ohio Five consortium.
The 200-acre campus in downtown Delaware features historic and modern facilities including the Schimmel/Conrades Science Center, Meek Aquatics Center, and Hamilton-Williams Campus Center. Nearly all students live on campus, fostering a close-knit residential community. Students participate in over 100 clubs and organizations, 24 varsity NCAA Division III sports teams, and contribute more than 40,000 volunteer hours annually. Off-campus programs include Wesleyan in Washington, the Philadelphia Center, and the New York Arts Program. The university maintains strong ties with the City of Delaware through community partnerships and cultural events.
For the 2024 entering class, Ohio Wesleyan received 6,144 applications, accepted 3,416 (55.6% admit rate), and enrolled 432 students. The university does not require standardized test scores for admission. The 2024 entering class had 27% in the top 10% of their high school class and 58% in the top 25%. Yield rate was 12.65%. The university offers regular decision and transfer admission pathways.
In 2024, 96% of reporting graduates were employed, in graduate school, or in the military within six months. The Career Connection office facilitates internships at leading organizations from Silicon Valley to the Mayo Clinic to Wall Street. Ohio Wesleyan is ranked 119th among liberal arts colleges by U.S. News & World Report and is featured in 'Colleges That Change Lives.' The Battling Bishops have won NCAA Division III national championships in men's basketball (1988) and soccer (men's 1998, 2011; women's 2001, 2002).