Skip to main content
86.7%Acceptance
$31,168Tuition
1,927Students
66%Grad Rate (6-yr)
$59,986Earnings
#22 in IndianaPrivate nonprofit4-yearSAT/ACT Test OptionalNJCAAStudy AbroadData: 2023-24Wesleyan

About Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion

This Wesleyan-affiliated Christian university draws 1,927 students to its campus in the small town of Marion. Indiana Wesleyan has built a strong reputation for integrating faith with academics across its undergraduate and graduate programs. The university attracts students seeking a close-knit community where Christian values shape both classroom discussions and campus culture. With an 86.72% acceptance rate, the school welcomes students with SAT scores averaging 1095.

Students pay an average net price of $23,069 after financial aid, making this private education more affordable than the sticker price suggests. Graduates earn a median of $59,986 ten years after graduation, which helps justify the investment. The typical debt load of $24,250 translates to monthly payments of $257. With 95.8% of graduates finding employment, the career outcomes support the financial commitment.

The student body skews heavily female at 62.64%, creating a campus active that many students find welcoming and collaborative. With 20 varsity sports teams and $4.2 million in athletic scholarships, the Wildcats compete seriously in NJCAA athletics. The 12:1 student-faculty ratio ensures professors know students by name, reinforcing the personal attention that defines the Indiana Wesleyan experience.

Academics & Faculty

Indiana Wesleyan University focuses on undergraduate education through a Christian liberal arts framework. The 12:1 student-faculty ratio creates small class environments where professors know students personally. However, the 66% four-year graduation rate suggests some students struggle to finish on time despite this individual attention. The university is particularly recognized for its nursing program, which has strong clinical partnerships throughout Indiana. Business and education also draw many students seeking faith-integrated professional preparation. The Wesleyan tradition emphasizes both academic rigor and spiritual development. Students benefit from close mentoring relationships with faculty who view teaching as ministry, though the graduation numbers indicate not all students successfully navigate the academic demands.

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Student-to-Faculty Ratio
12:1
Full-Time Faculty
100.0%
Graduation Rate (4-year)
66.5%
Graduation Rate (6-year)
66.3%
Retention Rate
78.8%
Median Earnings (10 years)
$59,986
Carnegie Classification
Master's University (Small)

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
ProgramLevelMedian Earnings
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. Doctoral $114,892
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. Master $98,512
Business Administration, Management and Operations. Doctoral $88,198
Bioethics/Medical Ethics. Master $69,338
Business Administration, Management and Operations. Master $66,326
Health and Medical Administrative Services. Master $66,155
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. Bachelor $63,353
Accounting and Related Services. Master $59,534
Management Information Systems and Services. Bachelor $55,840
Human Resources Management and Services. Master $54,331

View all 125 programs →

Campus Life

Marion sits 70 miles northeast of Indianapolis, placing students in a small town where the university dominates the landscape. With housing capacity for 2,440 students and total enrollment of 1,927, nearly all undergraduates live on campus in a tight-knit residential community. Indiana winters require heavy coats and boots, while spring and fall offer pleasant weather for the university's active outdoor programs.

The 62.64% female student body creates a collaborative rather than competitive social atmosphere. Students gather for chapel services that reflect the Wesleyan heritage, though the 86.72% acceptance rate brings together students from diverse academic backgrounds. With 20 varsity sports programs and 515 total athletes, Friday night games draw significant campus crowds. The 12:1 student-faculty ratio means professors know students by name, contributing to the 78.79% retention rate. Weekends center around residence hall activities, intramural sports, and service projects that connect to the university's Christian mission. Students often drive to Indianapolis for shopping and entertainment when small-town Marion feels limiting.
Setting
Town-Distant
Housing Capacity
2,440 beds
Calendar System
Semester
Study Abroad
Available

Campus Safety (2023)

3 total reported incidents. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education

Campus safety incidents by location
OffenseOn CampusResidentialNoncampusPublic Property
Stalking 1 1 0 0
Fondling 1 0 0 0

Climate & Weather

January Avg
18°–33°F
July Avg
63°–84°F
Annual Precipitation
40.5"
Annual Snowfall
24.6"

Student Demographics

Students at Indiana Wesleyan come primarily from Indiana, with nearly two-thirds staying close to home for their Christian education. The student body skews heavily female, reflecting strong programs in nursing, education, and social work that traditionally attract more women. About one in four students receives Pell Grants, showing the university serves middle-class families seeking affordable faith-based education. The Wesleyan denomination emphasizes both academic excellence and spiritual growth. Most students are white and from small Indiana towns, creating a tight-knit community where faith and learning intersect in a supportive environment.
Men
37.4%
Women
62.6%
White
82.5%
Black
4.9%
Hispanic
4.8%
Asian
2.6%
In-State Students
64.6%
Pell Grant Recipients
25.5%

Location

Marion sits in east-central Indiana, about 70 miles northeast of Indianapolis. The town of 29,000 residents centers around Indiana Wesleyan's campus in a classic small-town college setting. Marion once thrived as a manufacturing center but has transformed into an educational community where the university serves as a major employer and cultural anchor. The surrounding Grant County offers rolling farmland and small communities typical of rural Indiana. Students find a tight-knit atmosphere where 64.55% come from in-state and campus life revolves around the university's 20 varsity sports programs and Christian mission. Students considering colleges in Indiana may also compare Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion with similar schools in the region.
Address
Marion, Indiana 46953-4974

After College

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Median Earnings (10 years)
$59,986
Median Earnings (5 years)
$67,044
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry)
$47,700
Loan Repayment Rate
54.3%
Monthly Loan Payment
$257/mo
Median Debt at Graduation
$24,250

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate at Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion?

Indiana Wesleyan accepts 86.72% of applicants, making it accessible to most students who apply. The middle 50% of admitted students score between 1000-1190 on the SAT. This Wesleyan-affiliated Christian university welcomes students seeking faith-based education in central Indiana.

How much does Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion cost after financial aid?

Students pay an average net price of $23,069 after aid, less than the $43,106 total cost of attendance. The university offers institutional grants averaging $19,957 to 29.27% of students. Low-income families earning under $30,000 pay just $18,803 on average.

What is the student-faculty ratio at Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion?

The university maintains a 12:1 student-faculty ratio with 1,927 total students. This small class environment supports personalized attention in a Christian liberal arts setting. The retention rate of 78.79% reflects students' satisfaction with the academic experience.

What are the career outcomes for Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion graduates?

Graduates earn a median salary of $59,986 ten years after graduation with a 95.8% employment rate. The 66.30% six-year graduation rate is solid for a regional Christian university. Students graduate with a median debt of $24,250 and monthly loan payments of $257.

Where is Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion located and what is campus life like?

The campus sits in Marion, Indiana, a small town setting about 60 miles northeast of Indianapolis. Housing capacity reaches 2,440 students, creating a close-knit residential community. Women comprise 62.64% of the student body at this faith-centered institution.

Does Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion offer athletic scholarships?

The university awards $4,239,447 in athletic scholarships across 20 varsity sports competing in NJCAA. With 515 total athletes, the program represents a significant portion of the 1,927 student body. This substantial athletic investment reflects the school's commitment to competitive sports within Christian values.