Acceptance Rate
77%
Avg. SAT
1280
75th percentile
“Practical powerhouse training engineers, nurses, and entrepreneurs amid Peoria's factories and riverfront.”
Peoria, IL
Location
Midsize City
Campus Setting
Bradley University traces its roots to 1897, when widow Lydia Moss Bradley founded it in Peoria, Illinois, to offer technical training to the children of local laborers after losing her own family. This legacy shapes a school that emphasizes hands-on skills over abstract theory, attracting students who want direct paths to stable careers in manufacturing, healthcare, and business. You'll find a straightforward, no-nonsense personality here—Midwestern work ethic meets professional polish—where professors often hail from industry and push real-world projects from day one.
Mid-sized Peoria provides an affordable base with a cost of living far below Chicago's, plus easy drives to bigger cities, but it lacks the buzz of urban nightlife or cultural density. Students who thrive dive into internships at nearby Caterpillar headquarters or OSF HealthCare, while those craving constant events or diverse dining might feel the quieter pace. Housing fills quickly for freshmen, so apply early if living on campus matters to you.
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Admissions
Acceptance Rate
Test Policy
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Average GPA
Application Fee
Academics
Student-Faculty Ratio
Programs Offered
Full-Time Faculty
Women Faculty
Research Spending
Degree Levels Offered
Bradley's engineering and nursing programs stand out for their co-op rotations, where you alternate classroom time with paid industry stints at companies like Caterpillar or John Deere, building resumes before graduation. Business and communications majors benefit from a simulation trading floor and a working TV studio, fostering skills employers notice right away. Classrooms mix mid-sized lectures with labs where you tinker on projects, though popular majors like mechanical engineering see competition for spots after year one.
The intellectual vibe rewards doers over debaters—faculty prioritize mentoring on capstone designs over publish-or-perish research. Undergrads access labs typically reserved for grad students, but large intro classes in gen eds can feel impersonal. Tradeoff: strong career prep, but less emphasis on pure liberal arts exploration.
Student Body
Total Enrollment
3,596 undergrad • 1,181 grad
Undergraduate
Graduate
International
White
59%
Black / African American
10%
Hispanic / Latino
12%
Asian
4%
Other / Multi-racial
15%
Campus Life
Campus Setting
Peoria, IL
Varsity Athletics
NCAA Athletics
Campus hums with a classic Midwestern rhythm: tailgates before Braves basketball games in Renaissance Coliseum, Greek life drawing about a quarter of students, and weekend hangs at the student union's game room. A typical week blends classes, club meetings from robotics to swing dance, and evenings studying in suite-style dorms where four friends share a living space. Traditions like the annual Hillfest concert keep spirits up, though cold, windy winters push most indoors by November.
Peoria's riverfront draws you for summer festivals or paddleboat rides, bridging campus and city without overwhelming either. Social scene skews low-key—think brewery crawls over all-nighters—but cliques form around majors, so branching out takes effort. Housing guarantees spots for freshmen, but upperclassmen often seek off-campus apartments amid rising local rents.
Housing
On-Campus Housing
Housing Capacity
Meal Plan Available
Average Room & Board
Athletics
Athletic Association
Missouri Valley Conference
ROTC & Veteran Support
Army
Yes
Navy
No
Air Force
No
Veteran’s Programs Available
Yellow Ribbon Program (Post-9/11 GI Bill)
Yes
Credit for military training
Yes
Dedicated point of contact for veteran support services
Yes
Member of DoD Voluntary Educational Partnership MOU
Yes
Cost & Aid
In-State Tuition
Out-of-State Tuition
Room & Board
Estimated Cost
Financial Aid
Students Receiving Aid
Receiving Pell Grants
Average Grant
Average Federal Loan
Net Annual Cost by Household Income
Household Income
Avg. Net Cost
$0 – $30K
$17,583
$30K – $48K
$17,643
$48K – $75K
$21,725
$75K – $110K
$26,383
$110K+
$30,568
Apply for Financial Aid
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Costs shown are before financial aid. Most students receive some form of aid. Complete the FAFSA to see what you qualify for.
Outcomes & Earnings
Retention Rate
83%
4 Years Graduation Rate
66%
6 Years Graduation Rate
80%
Median 10-Year Earnings
$66,852
83% of first-time, full-time students complete their freshman year at Bradley University and return in the fall. 66% of first-time, full-time students graduate in 4 years, and 80% graduate within 6 years.
Graduation Rate
4-year grads
66%
4-5 years
14%
6-8 years
1%
Non-grad
19%
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Key Statistics
Type
Private
Tuition
$37,380
Acceptance
77%
Undergrads
3,596
4-Year Grad Rate
66%
Endowment
$150M
Peoria, IL 61625-0001
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