Academics and Learning Environment
For the B student, the learning environment of a college is just as important as the quality of its academic program. Bradley University has 345 full-time and 204 part-time faculty members, offering a student-to-faculty ratio of 14:1. The most common course size is 20 to 29 students. Bradley University offers 99 majors with the most popular being communications, mechanical engineering and nursing and least popular being business, economics and engineering physics. The school has a general core requirement. Cooperative education is available. All first-year students must maintain a 2.0 GPA or higher to avoid academic probation. Other special academic programs that would appeal to a B student include: self-designed majors • pass/fail grading option • independent study • double majors • dual degrees • honors program • internships • certificate programs.
B Student Support and Success
Bradley’s website states, “We encourage students to apply who feel that they can demonstrate both the academic ability to succeed and the potential to contribute to the total educational experience at Bradley. While our students perform above national averages in strong college preparation curriculums, we do not have a stated minimum rank, grade point average (GPA), or ACT or SAT score. We also recognize that rank and GPA can only be considered meaningful in the context of the quality of the high school attended and the classes that a student takes. It is also very important to our admissions review committee that our students balance academic ability with the other qualities that lead to success at Bradley. Social skills, communications skills, leadership, community service and unique experiences are important qualities in our admission and scholarship review. Finally, different academic areas have different admission requirements.”
Bradley University provides a variety of support programs including dedicated guidance for: academic • career • psychological • minority students. The average freshman year GPA is 2.9, and 87 percent of freshmen students return for their sophomore year. What do students do after college? While many enter the work force, approximately 19 percent pursue a graduate degree immediately after graduation. Among students who enter the work force, approximately 89 percent enter a field related to their major within six months of graduation. Companies that most frequently hire graduates from Bradley University include: OSF Saint Francis Medical Center • Caterpillar Inc. • Menards • Inc. • Enterprise Rent-A-Car • Sargent & Lundy LLC • Nordstrom Inc. • Liberty Mutual Insurance Co. • Chicago Public School District 299 • Peoria Public School District 150 • Target Corp. • ConAgra Foods Inc. • Bradley University.
Highlights
Bradley University
Peoria, Illinois (Pop. 113,546)
Location: Medium city
Four-year private
Founded: 1897
Website: http://www.bradley.edu
Students
Total enrollment: 5,800
Undergrads: 5,061
Freshmen: 1,135
Part-time students: 5%
From out-of-state: 13%
From public schools: 85%
Male/Female: 46%/54%
Live on-campus: 63%
In fraternities: 35%
In sororities: 27%
Off-campus employment rating: Fair
Caucasian: 81%
African American: 8%
Hispanic: 4%
Asian or Pacific Islander: 4%
Native American: 0%
International: 1%
Academics
Calendar: Semester
Student/faculty ratio: 14:1
Class size 9 or fewer: 23%
Class size 10-29: 58%
Class size 30-49: 15%
Class size 50-99: 3%
Class size 100 or more: 1%
Returning freshmen: 87%
Six-year graduation rate: 78%
Most Popular Majors
Communications
Mechanical engineering
Nursing
Support for Students with Learning Disabilities
Students with learning disabilities may take advantage of specific support programs offered by Bradley University. The school’s Center for Learning Assistance can assist those students with certain learning disabilities by providing “select coordinated accommodations” as defined by standardized national service-delivery models. This includes the provision of a contact person, generic support services, peer tutors and student referral service for off-campus testing resources. These services are available only during the academic year. Students with learning disabilities will find the following programs at Bradley University extremely useful: tutors • learning center • untimed tests • extended time for tests • tape recorders • videotaped classes • early syllabus. Individual or small group tutorials are also available in: time management • organizational skills • learning strategies • writing labs • math labs • study skills. An advisor/ advocate from the LD program is available to students.
How to Get Admitted
For admissions decisions, non-academic factors considered: interview • extracurricular activities • special talents, interests, abilities • character/personal qualities • volunteer work • work experience • state of residency • geographical location • minority affiliation • alumni relationship. A high school diploma is required, although a GED is also accepted for admissions consideration. SAT or ACT test scores are required of all applicants. SAT Subject Test scores are not required. Academic units recommended: 5 English, 4 Math, 3 Science, 3 Social Studies, 2 Foreign Language.
How to Pay for College
To apply for financial aid, students should submit the following: Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Bradley University participates in the Federal Work Study program. Need-based aid programs include: scholarships and grants • general need-based awards • Federal Pell grants • state scholarships and grants • college-based scholarships and grants • private scholarships and grants. Non-need-based aid programs include: scholarships and grants • state scholarships and grants • creative arts and performance awards • special achievements and activities awards • special characteristics awards • athletic scholarships.
Highlights
Admissions
Applicants: 6,221
Accepted: 4,573
Acceptance rate: 73.5%
Average GPA: 3.6
ACT range: 22-27
SAT Math range: 510-640
SAT