Press Release

January 12, 2015 | By Cole Hatcher

Money Magazine includes Ohio Wesleyan among its new rankings of ‘Best Colleges for Your Money’ and ’20 Best Colleges for Merit Aid.’ (Photo by Paul Molitor)

Money Magazine Ranks Ohio Wesleyan Among Nation’s ‘Best Colleges’

Money Magazine includes Ohio Wesleyan among its new rankings of ‘Best Colleges for Your Money’ and ’20 Best Colleges for Merit Aid.’ (Photo by Paul Molitor)

DELAWARE, Ohio – Ohio Wesleyan University is listed among the nation’s “Best Colleges for Your Money” in Money Magazine’s new rankings, determined by an analysis of OWU’s “educational quality, affordability, and alumni earnings.”

The Time Inc. publication also ranks Ohio Wesleyan as one of the nation’s “20 Best Colleges for Merit Aid.” Both of the “Best Colleges” lists are included in Money’s January/February edition.

In its new rankings, Money notes that Ohio Wesleyan’s average merit award is $20,800. (Merit aid is non-need-based financial aid given to reward academic success.) Approximately 30 percent of Ohio Wesleyan’s students earn merit aid each year.

Overall, about 97 percent of OWU’s 1,750 students receive either merit or need-based aid each academic year, with the average award being nearly $37,000 for first-year students. Overall, Ohio Wesleyan awarded $12 million in university grants and scholarships to this year’s incoming class.

“Ohio Wesleyan understands the significant investment families make in their children’s college educations, and OWU is committed to making an Ohio Wesleyan education attainable and in demonstrating its lifelong value,” said Susan R. Dileno, vice president for enrollment.

In its analysis of Ohio Wesleyan’s alumni earnings, Money used PayScale Inc. data, which lists OWU among the top liberal arts colleges nationwide for salary potential for mid-career graduates and among the nation’s top colleges – public or private – for return on investment in a bachelor’s degree.

Also demonstrating the value of an OWU education, Washington Monthly includes Ohio Wesleyan in its latest list of the nation’s top 50 liberal arts colleges. The list recognizes a school’s “contribution to the public good,” including efforts in the areas of promoting social mobility, research, and service.

“Ohio Wesleyan is proud of this recognition,” Dileno said. “Families want to understand the potential value of a college education – and an OWU education – and this helps us to share that important message.”

Learn more about Money Magazine’s “Best Colleges” rankings at time.com/money/collection/moneys-best-colleges. Learn more about enrolling at Ohio Wesleyan – including outcomes information – at www.owu.edu.

Founded in 1842, Ohio Wesleyan University is one of the nation’s premier liberal arts universities. Located in Delaware, Ohio, the private university offers 86 undergraduate majors and competes in 23 NCAA Division III varsity sports. Ohio Wesleyan combines a challenging, internationally focused curriculum with off-campus learning and leadership opportunities to connect classroom theory with real-world experience. OWU’s 1,750 students represent 46 U.S. states and territories and 43 countries. Ohio Wesleyan is featured in the book “Colleges That Change Lives,” listed on the latest President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll with Distinction, and included in the U.S. News & World Report and Princeton Review “best colleges” lists. Learn more at www.owu.edu.