Bradley University
Peoria, IL1501 W BRADLEY AVE, Peoria, IL 61625-0001
309-676-7611
Bradley University is a private university in Peoria, Illinois. Founded in 1897, Bradley University currently enrolls 5,400 students in more than 130 undergraduate programs and more than 30 graduate programs. The university is home to the Peoria Civic Center, the Bradley Braves men's basketball team, and the Bradley University School of Nursing.
Bradley University was founded in 1897 as Bradley Polytechnic Institute. The university was named after its founder, Lydia Moss Bradley, who donated the land for the school as well as $1.5 million for its construction. The school initially offered programs in engineering, business, and law. In 1907, the name was changed to Bradley University to reflect the expanding curriculum.
The university experienced significant growth in the 1920s and 1930s, with the addition of new academic programs and the construction of several new buildings. The Great Depression and World War II led to a decrease in enrollment in the 1940s, but the university rebounded in the 1950s and 1960s. In 1954, Bradley became the first university in Illinois to install a nuclear reactor, which is still in operation today.
The 1970s and 1980s were a period of financial challenges for the university, but Bradley continued to grow, adding new programs and facilities. The 1990s were marked by significant expansion, with the construction of the Westlake Hall dormitory and the Bradley Park Apartments.
Today, Bradley University is a comprehensive university offering more than 130 undergraduate programs and more than 30 graduate programs. The university is home to the Peoria Civic Center, the Bradley Braves men's basketball team, and the Bradley University School of Nursing. Bradley's 5,400 students come from 47 states and 43 countries, and the university is dedicated to preparing them for success in their chosen fields.
Quick Facts
Enrollment: 5855
Acceptance Rate: 73.28%
Type: Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above
Main Website: https://www.bradley.edu/
Financial Aid: https://www.bradley.edu/offices/other/sfs
Annual Costs
Total Cost In-State On-Campus: $50200
Total Cost Out-State On-Campus: $50200
Return on Investment Rating
The estimated cost for four years as an undergraduate at Bradley University is $185457.84. This includes the average cost of attendance for four years plus the interest on the average loan over a ten year repayment minus the average of grants and scholarships per student.
We then contrast this figure with average early-career and mid-career average incomes of graduates of four year programs at Bradley University. For graduates of Bradley University, we saw an average early-career income of $59400.00 and mid-career income of $111500.00. We then ranked the school's value based on how many years of mid-career income it takes to repay the educational costs.