Wesleyan University, along with Amherst and Williams colleges, is one of the historic "Little Three," a trio of prestigious liberal arts schools in New England. Founded in 1831 by Methodists, it has about 3,200 students.
It's highly selective, with an acceptance rate of around 15%. Although the school has a high sticker price — the total cost of attendance for undergraduates exceeds $87,000 — Wesleyan is dedicated to helping students attend regardless of financial need. Beginning in the fall 2024 semester, Wesleyan will eliminate student loans from its financial aid packages, meeting students' demonstrated financial need with grants, scholarships and work-study programs.
Academics are generally characterized by small classes and professors who actively engage with students in programs like the social and political sciences, psychology, and the arts.
The university is also known for producing highly successful students: Wesleyan claims playwright Lin-Manuel Miranda, director Michael Bay and actress Beanie Feldstein among its alumni. The Center for the Arts hosts free musical and theater events; it also has three of its own art galleries. Here's another fun fact: Wesleyan has a student-run farm that grows a wide variety of vegetables and hosts community events like the Pumpkin Fest, complete with free veggie burgers and hot cider.
