Ohio Wesleyan University Student Population Analyzed

Ohio Wesleyan University is a private liberal arts college in Delaware, Ohio, founded in 1842. The university's total enrollment varies depending on the source, with figures ranging from 1,410 to 1,950 students. The student body is diverse, with students from 40 to 57 countries and 43 states and U.S. territories. The university offers a range of academic programs and extracurricular activities, including over 70 majors, internships, mentored research, study abroad programs, and 24 varsity sports teams.

Ohio Wesleyan University's undergraduate enrollment

Ohio Wesleyan University (OWU) is a private liberal arts college in Delaware, Ohio. It was founded in 1842 and currently has 1,525 students enrolled, with a student-faculty ratio of 12:1. The student body is diverse, with students from 40 states and U.S. territories, and 33 countries represented.

The gender breakdown of the student population is 43.7% male, 56% female, and 0.3% another gender. The student body is predominantly white (71.3%), with Black or African American students making up 6.88%, Hispanic or Latino 5.46%, Two or More Races 4.54%, Asian 3.19%, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders 0.213%, and American Indian or Alaska Native 0.0709%.

The cost of attendance is high, with tuition fees for the 2025-2026 academic year totalling $54,330, in addition to standard food and housing costs of $15,272. However, 99% of OWU students receive financial aid, and the university awarded $19.8 million in OWU grants and scholarships to first-year students in the 2024-2025 academic year.

The university offers a wide range of academic programs, with over 70 majors available. It also provides opportunities for mentored research, study abroad, and internships. The average class size is 18, with 61% of classes having fewer than 21 students.

The acceptance rate for 2022 was 52.2%, with 5,324 applications received and 2,778 students accepted for enrollment. The yield rate, which represents the number of admitted students who enrolled, was 16.3%.

In summary, Ohio Wesleyan University has a diverse student body and offers a wide range of academic programs and opportunities for its undergraduate students. The cost of attendance is high, but financial aid is available for the majority of students. The university has a competitive admissions process, with a relatively low acceptance rate and yield rate.

The gender and racial makeup of its student body

Ohio Wesleyan University (OWU) is a private liberal arts college in Delaware, Ohio, with a total enrollment of around 1,500 students. The student body is predominantly female, with 56% women, 43.7% men, and 0.3% identifying as another gender. The racial makeup of the student body is 71.3% White, 6.88% Black or African American, 5.46% Hispanic or Latino, 4.54% Two or More Races, 3.19% Asian, 0.213% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders, and 0.0709% American Indian or Alaska Native. 15 students (1.06%) did not report their race.

The student body is diverse, with students from 40 states and U.S. territories, as well as international students from 33 countries. OWU is known for its culturally diverse atmosphere, with students and faculty pushing for acceptance and making it easy to fit in and make friends. The university offers various social organizations and clubs that cater to different interests and provide opportunities for students to connect and engage with one another.

In terms of academics, OWU offers over 70 majors, and students have the opportunity to design their own programs and participate in research. The student-faculty ratio is 12:1, and the average class size is 18, with 61% of classes having fewer than 21 students. The university also offers financial aid, with 99% of OWU students receiving merit-based and/or need-based aid.

The number of international students

Ohio Wesleyan University (OWU) is a private institution that was founded in 1842. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 1,452 (fall 2023), with a total enrollment of 1,525. Of these students, 5.6% are international, accounting for around 85 students. This number has been increasing over the years, with an average growth rate of 1.8%.

OWU is ranked 719th out of 1,279 colleges and universities for popularity with international students. The university has students from approximately 30 nations, with the countries that have the largest on-campus communities being China, Pakistan, and India. International students make up about 6% of the student body.

The most popular degree subjects at OWU for international students are Economics, Business/Managerial Economics, and Physics. The university offers international students the chance to ""Go Global" and study abroad, with the Global Scholars Program funding student projects and bringing international scholars to OWU. There are also majors in fields such as International Relations and International Business, with students conducting research around the world.

Ohio Wesleyan University is committed to providing a diverse and global education for its students, with a richly varied community in which more than 100 languages are spoken.

The number of students receiving financial aid

Ohio Wesleyan University is a private liberal arts college in Delaware, Ohio. The university has a total undergraduate enrollment of 1,452 (as of fall 2023).

In 2022, 99% of undergraduate students at Ohio Wesleyan University received financial aid through grants. Comparatively, 62% of undergraduate students received financial aid through loans.

Ohio Wesleyan University offers its students "fantastic financial aid" and "scholarship money". The university provides need-based and merit-based financial aid. In the 2024-2025 academic year, $19.8 million was awarded in OWU grants and scholarships to first-year students. The university also offers scholarships to high school students in Central Ohio, in partnership with @iknowican88, a college access organisation.

The average cost after financial aid for students at Ohio Wesleyan University is $27,311. The average yearly cost of room and board is $9,894, and the average yearly cost of books and supplies is $1,200.

Ohio Wesleyan University has an overall enrollment yield of 16.3%. The university accepted 2,778 students out of 5,324 applicants for enrollment in 2022, with an acceptance rate of 52.2%.

The university's ranking

Ohio Wesleyan University is a private institution that was founded in 1842. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 1,452 (fall 2023), with a total enrollment of 1,525. The campus size is 200 acres, and it has a 12:1 student-faculty ratio. The university ranks highly across a variety of categories, including academics, sports, social mobility, economics, and diversity.

In the 2025 edition of Best Colleges, Ohio Wesleyan University ranks #119 in National Liberal Arts Colleges. This ranking is based on performance across a set of widely accepted indicators of excellence. The university also ranks #129 in Top Performers on Social Mobility and #255 in Economics.

Ohio Wesleyan University is recognised as one of the best colleges for sports management, kinesiology and physical therapy, economics, history, English, academics, biology, and student athletes in America. It is also recognised as one of the most diverse colleges in America.

The university has also received recognition from several respected publications. U.S. News & World Report ranks OWU among the 2025 "Best National Liberal Arts Colleges," "Top Performers on Social Mobility," and "Best Undergraduate Economics Programs." Payscale ranks OWU as one of 2023's top national, state, and liberal arts colleges in salary potential for graduates in their early and mid-careers. Forbes Magazine ranks OWU as No. 1 in Ohio and No. 17 among "America's Most Entrepreneurial Colleges 2015." Money Magazine includes OWU in its list of "Best Colleges in America." The National Science Foundation ranks Ohio Wesleyan No. 68 among all U.S. colleges for the percentage of STEM graduates who go on to earn doctoral degrees in STEM fields. OWU also ranks highly for women earning doctorates in STEM fields. The Fiske Guide to Colleges recognises OWU as one of the "best and most interesting" four-year colleges, providing strong preparation for graduate and professional schools. The Princeton Review includes OWU in its list of 2025's "Best 390 Colleges" in the United States. Study Abroad Aide ranks OWU among the top 18% of colleges and universities worldwide. Columbus Navigator ranks OWU as No. 18 among the most influential colleges and universities in Ohio.

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