Bradley University

8/10 Overall Rating
4 Year
Peoria, IL
5.0 1 review

#5 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

Overview Admission Cost Majors Diversity Outcomes Salaries Location Compare Reviews Admission Calculator

Overview

Total enrollment

4,777

Location Peoria, Illinois
Website bradley.edu
Type Private 4 Year
Setting Midsize City

Best Colleges Rank

#192

Size Mid-size
Status Non-profit
Housing Yes
Level of Study Undergrad/Graduate

Bradley University occupies a 84-acre hilltop campus in Peoria, Illinois, approximately 160 miles southwest of Chicago. Founded in 1897 as Bradley Polytechnic Institute, the private university maintains its original focus on practical scholarship while offering comprehensive undergraduate and graduate programs. The university is known for its engineering, business, communications, and interactive media programs, with particular strengths in game design and animation. Bradley's campus features a mix of historic and modern buildings, including the Renaissance Revival-style Bradley Hall, and provides housing for most undergraduates in traditional residence halls and student apartments. As a member of the Missouri Valley Conference, Bradley competes in NCAA Division I athletics, with its men's basketball program having a notable tournament history.

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Ratings

Bradley is rated within the top 29% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 8 out of 10.

Overall Rating

8 out of 10
Academics

8 out of 10
Resources

9 out of 10
Outcomes

7 out of 10
Value

9 out of 10

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Rankings

Rankings for Bradley University within the 2027 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.

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Admissions

Admission Standards

Difficult

GPA 3.83

Acceptance Rate

76.8%

Applications Due -
Enrollment Rate 11.2%
Application Fee $0

Applicant Competition Very Low

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Annual Cost to Attend

Tuition

$42,160

Costs for Bradley University
Fee		Cost
Tuition		$42,160
Books and Supplies		$1,300
Other Fees		$950
Room and Board		$13,500
Budget for Other Expenses		$2,684
Total One Year Cost		$60,594

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Student Outcomes

Average Salary After 10 Years

$56,800 per year

Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate

75% within 6 years

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Popular Areas of Study

Popular majors at Bradley University are Business, Engineering, and Health Professions. 18% of students major in Business, 13% in Engineering, and 12% in Health Professions.