What makes Wesleyan different
- An open curriculum. Students combine disciplines in their own way, with faculty and peer advisors.
- The arts everywhere. More than 250 arts courses, and courses co-taught by artists and faculty in other fields.
- Three-year option. Students can graduate in three years to save on total cost.
What Wesleyan students study
The most common bachelor's degrees (class of 2024): econometrics and quantitative economics (90), psychology (73), political science (59), english language and literature (45), film/cinema/media studies (40) and molecular biochemistry (30). Source: IPEDS Completions, first majors only.
You may thrive at Wesleyan if…
- You want freedom to combine fields.
- You're drawn to the arts, film or the sciences.
- You'd like an energetic, activist campus.
Worth asking about
- How does the three-year option work?
- What is the College of Design and Engineering Studies?
How Wesleyan compares with other liberal arts colleges
Wesleyan admitted 16.5% of applicants for fall 2024 and is one of seven NESCAC colleges in this group. See how these 20 liberal arts colleges compare.
FAQ
What is Wesleyan University's acceptance rate? 16.5% for fall 2024: 2,373 of 14,389 applicants were admitted.
Does Wesleyan have early decision? Yes. Wesleyan offers binding early decision in two rounds: Early Decision I (November 15) and Early Decision II (January 1). Source
Does Wesleyan require the SAT or ACT? No. Wesleyan does not require most students to submit SAT or ACT scores. This applies to students applying in 2026–27 for fall 2027. Source
Does Wesleyan charge out-of-state tuition? No. Wesleyan is private, so published tuition and fees are the same for students from any state: $70,342 a year before aid. About 78% of first-year students came from outside Connecticut.
How much is Wesleyan tuition per semester? About $35,171 a semester, half the published $70,342 a year, before aid.
How many students go to Wesleyan? About 3,100 undergraduates (fall 2024).
What is Wesleyan known for? Its open curriculum, the arts and film, and an activist campus culture.
How much does Wesleyan cost? Published tuition and fees are $70,342 a year before aid, and the total cost of attendance is $89,020. Students who received aid paid $28,340 a year on average.
Wondering if an open curriculum fits you?
Lens's assessments show whether you lean toward structure or flexibility, and which kinds of colleges fit. Start with Lens →