Private Methodist liberal arts college in Dover, Delaware (1873–2021), acquired by Delaware State University.
Wesley College was founded in 1873 as Wilmington Conference Academy, a preparatory school affiliated with the United Methodist Church. It evolved through several name changes—Wesley Collegiate Institute (1918), Wesley Junior College (1941), and Wesley College (1958)—before conferring its first four-year degrees in 1978. The college maintained a liberal arts focus throughout its 148-year history, serving as a small private institution in Dover, Delaware.
Prior to closure, Wesley College offered a liberal arts program of study. The institution had approximately 917 students enrolled at the time of its acquisition. The college was affiliated with Space Grant, indicating involvement in science and technology initiatives.
Wesley's athletic teams, known as the Wolverines, competed in NCAA Division III within the Atlantic East Conference. The college maintained a 50-acre campus in Dover and operated with school colors of blue and white. The institution supported various sports programs and had a notable coaching staff throughout its history.
In its final years, Wesley College faced significant financial challenges and relied on state funding and grants. On July 1, 2021, Delaware State University completed its acquisition of Wesley College, making DSU the first historically Black college or university to acquire another institution. The campus is now known as DSU Downtown, with the Wesley College of Health and Behavioral Sciences continuing to operate at the site. Approximately 60 percent of Wesley's workforce was offered employment by DSU, and all Wesley students with non-adverse records were permitted to transfer.