
Indiana Wesleyan University (IWU) is a private, evangelical Christian university based in Marion, Indiana. It was founded in 1920 as a liberal arts college and has since grown into a large institution with nearly 14,000 students, including over 3,000 on its main campus. The university offers a range of flexible learning formats, including online and onsite courses, with regional education centres across Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky. IWU has a strong focus on student development, offering spiritual and academic mentoring, and is committed to guiding students in discovering their purpose and life calling.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year of founding | 1890 or 1920 |
| Type of institution | Private |
| Affiliation | Church-affiliated, evangelical Christian |
| Campus size | 345 acres or 350 acres or 132 acres |
| Number of students | Nearly 14,000 (2017); over 3,000 on the main campus |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 2,073 (fall 2023) |
| Gender distribution | 37.9% male, 62.1% female |
| Location | Marion, Indiana |
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What You'll Learn
- Indiana Wesleyan University's total student population is nearly 14,000
- Over 10,000 students take courses online
- The gender distribution is 37.9% male and 62.1% female
- The campus size is 345 acres
- The university has the largest adult education program in the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities

Indiana Wesleyan University's total student population is nearly 14,000
Indiana Wesleyan University (IWU) is a private, evangelical Christian university based in Marion, Indiana. It was founded in 1920 as Marion College and has since grown into a large and successful educational institution.
IWU's total student population is nearly 14,000, with a notable proportion of these students, over 10,000, taking courses online or at IWU's regional Education Centres in Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky. The university's main campus in Marion is home to over 3,000 students, with a gender distribution of approximately 37.9% male and 62.1% female students.
IWU's remarkable growth is partly attributed to the leadership of Dr. James Barnes, who served as president from 1987 to 2006. During his tenure, IWU transformed from a small, struggling Christian college into a thriving university. By 2017, the university's total enrollment had skyrocketed to nearly 14,000 students, a significant increase from the 2,000 students enrolled in 1987.
IWU's student body is scattered globally, reflecting the university's international reach and appeal. The university offers flexible learning formats, allowing students to choose between earning their degrees fully online or onsite at regional education centres. This flexibility, coupled with its Christian foundations and high-quality academics, has likely contributed to IWU's impressive student numbers.
IWU's large student population enables it to offer a diverse range of programs and activities. The university is committed to guiding students in discovering their purpose and developing their character, scholarship, and leadership skills. With nearly 14,000 students, IWU can provide a well-rounded and enriching educational experience, contributing to its reputation as one of the largest and most successful evangelical Christian universities in the world.
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Over 10,000 students take courses online
Indiana Wesleyan University (IWU) is a private institution and the largest private university in Indiana. It was founded in 1920 as Marion College and has grown by more than 200% since 1990. The university's total enrollment has increased from 2,000 students in 1987 to nearly 14,000 in 2017, with over 10,000 of these students taking courses online or at IWU National & Global's regional Education Centers in Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky.
IWU's main campus is located in Marion, Indiana, and spans 345 acres, although the university states that the campus size is 350 acres. The campus is home to over 3,000 students who attend IWU's traditional four-year liberal arts college and residential graduate school. The student body is diverse, with students scattered across the globe, and the gender distribution is 37.9% male and 62.1% female.
IWU offers a range of flexible learning formats, allowing students to choose to earn their degrees fully online or onsite at regional education centers. The university has 14 Education Centers located in Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky, and programs are also available at various learning sites across these three states. Most of these programs have been available online since 1997.
IWU is committed to providing a Christ-centered education and guiding students in discovering their purpose and life calling. Professors offer spiritual and academic mentoring, and students receive individual attention to flourish in their studies. The university has grown to become one of the largest and most successful evangelical Christian universities worldwide, known for its distinguished academics and high-quality collaborative work between students and faculty members.
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The gender distribution is 37.9% male and 62.1% female
Indiana Wesleyan University (IWU) has a total undergraduate enrollment of 2,073 students as of Fall 2023. The gender distribution is 37.9% male and 62.1% female. This means that there are roughly 785 male students and about 1,288 female students enrolled at IWU for the 2023-2024 academic year.
IWU has experienced significant growth since 1990, with its total student enrollment increasing by more than 200%. In 2017, IWU's total enrollment reached nearly 14,000 students, with over 10,000 of those students taking courses online or at IWU's regional education centers. While IWU's main campus in Marion, Indiana, covers 345 acres, the university also offers programs at 14 additional education centers across Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky. This expansion has contributed to the university's growing student body and diverse educational offerings.
The gender distribution at IWU, with a higher percentage of female students, reflects a broader trend in higher education. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, as of 2021, female students comprised 53.6% of all enrolled undergraduate students across the United States. This trend is even more pronounced at private nonprofit four-year institutions, where female students made up 58.5% of the undergraduate population.
The gender distribution at IWU also varies across different academic programs and departments. While the overall percentage of male and female students provides a snapshot of the entire undergraduate population, specific majors or areas of study may attract a higher proportion of students from one gender. This variation in gender distribution can be influenced by a variety of factors, including historical trends, societal expectations, and the unique characteristics of each academic discipline.
Understanding the gender distribution at IWU is important for the university's administration and student community. It allows for the development of targeted support services, mentorship programs, and extracurricular activities that cater to the diverse needs and interests of the student body. Additionally, a comprehensive understanding of the student population can inform decision-making processes related to curriculum design, faculty hiring, and the allocation of resources to ensure that all students have equal opportunities to thrive during their time at IWU.
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The campus size is 345 acres
Indiana Wesleyan University (IWU) is a private Christian university and the largest member of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities. It is also the largest private college in Indiana, based on enrollment, with nearly 14,000 students in 2017. The campus size is 345 acres, and the university has grown by more than 200% since 1990. This growth has transformed IWU from a small, struggling Christian college into one of the largest evangelical Christian universities in the world.
IWU offers a wide range of academic programs and is committed to liberal arts and professional education. The university provides spiritual and academic mentoring to its students, who come from diverse backgrounds and have different gifts and talents. The campus is located in Marion, Indiana, and houses various facilities, including the Student Center, named after former president Dr. James Barnes, who served from 1987 to 2006.
The IWU community is committed to changing the world by guiding students in discovering their purpose and life calling. This is achieved through character development, scholarship, and leadership training. The university values putting others first and upholding Christian values in all aspects of campus life. With nearly 3,200 students enrolled at the Marion campus as of 2017, IWU offers a vibrant and engaging community for its students.
The 345-acre campus in Marion, Indiana, has seen significant development since 1990, with nearly $250 million spent on new construction and renovation projects. The campus is valued at over $360 million and continues to expand and improve its facilities. The "I Am Third Arena," costing $30 million, is the most expensive building project in the university's history, replacing the Luckey Arena built in 1980.
IWU's campus size and facilities reflect the university's commitment to providing a world-class education and a vibrant student community. The 345-acre campus offers a spacious and engaging environment for students to pursue their academic and extracurricular interests. With a range of academic buildings, residence halls, and recreational spaces, the campus is designed to cater to the diverse needs of its large student population.
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The university has the largest adult education program in the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities
Indiana Wesleyan University (IWU) is a private institution that was founded in 1920 as Marion College. It offers a range of programs to nearly 14,000 students, with more than 10,000 of them taking courses online or at IWU National & Global's regional education centres in Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky. The main campus in Marion, Indiana, is home to over 3,000 students.
IWU has the largest adult education program in the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU). The CCCU is the main organisation of evangelical colleges in the US. IWU was selected by the CCCU in 2008 to establish the Research Centre in Adult Learning, a joint project with the CCCU.
IWU's total student enrollment has grown significantly since 1987, when it had a student population of 2,000. This growth is largely attributed to the leadership of Dr. James Barnes, who served as president from 1987 to 2006. During his tenure, IWU transformed from a small, struggling Christian college into one of the largest and most successful evangelical Christian universities worldwide.
IWU's adult education program likely benefits from the university's flexible learning format. Many programs can be completed fully online or onsite at regional education centres. This flexibility allows non-traditional students, such as working professionals or those with family commitments, to pursue higher education without disrupting their existing schedules.
IWU's commitment to adult education aligns with its mission to guide students in discovering their purpose and life calling. The university offers spiritual and academic mentoring, providing individual attention to help students develop in character, scholarship, and leadership.
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Frequently asked questions
As of 2023, there are 2,073 undergraduate students enrolled at Indiana Wesleyan University.
In 1987, there were 2,000 students enrolled at Indiana Wesleyan University.
Indiana Wesleyan University has nearly 14,000 students in total, including those taking courses online or at regional education centers.
Over 3,000 students are enrolled in on-site courses at Indiana Wesleyan University's main campus in Marion, Indiana.
More than 10,000 students are taking courses online at Indiana Wesleyan University.





















