,·Private Liberal Arts (Evangelical Christian)·Est. 1860
“A rigorous evangelical Christian liberal arts college near Chicago, integrating faith and learning with exceptional academic programs in a close-knit residential community.”
Wheaton College, founded in 1860 in the western Chicago suburb of Wheaton, Illinois, is widely regarded as America's premier evangelical Christian liberal arts college — sometimes called "the Christian Ivy." Unlike most liberal arts colleges, Wheaton explicitly integrates Christian faith with rigorous academic inquiry across every discipline, asking students to grapple with the relationship between knowledge, values, and purpose. All students, faculty, and staff sign the Wheaton Community Covenant, which reflects the college's commitment to Christian community standards, including abstinence from alcohol, tobacco, and drugs. Notable alumni include evangelist Billy Graham, author Madeleine L'Engle, and former U.S. Secretary of State John Foster Dulles. Wheaton's academics are genuinely rigorous, spanning a full range of liberal arts disciplines alongside a nationally acclaimed Conservatory of Music. Programs in philosophy, biblical and theological studies, science and mathematics, politics, history, and the arts are all anchored in the conviction that Christian faith enriches rather than constrains intellectual inquiry. The college's small class sizes, a faculty deeply committed to undergraduate teaching, and strong outcomes in graduate and professional school placement make Wheaton competitive with the most distinguished non-denominational liberal arts colleges in the country. Wheaton graduates regularly win Fulbright scholarships, earn acceptance to top medical and law schools, and pursue advanced study at leading research universities. Located 25 miles west of downtown Chicago, Wheaton students enjoy ready access to one of America's greatest cities for internships, cultural enrichment, and professional networking. The campus itself is a beautiful, self-contained residential community with strong athletic programs, diverse student organizations, and a vibrant faith and arts scene. International students represent a growing share of the student body, drawn to Wheaton's distinctive combination of academic excellence, Christian community, and Chicago proximity.
Visa, OPT, H-1B alumni outcomes, and acceptance rates by country — sourced from FOIA, USCIS H-1B Hub, and DHS SEVIS.
Test Optional — You can submit scores if they help your case, but they're not required.
Official SourceEarly Action
Non-binding. Priority consideration for scholarships and housing.
Regular Decision
The deep admissions playbook beyond the headline acceptance rate — round-by-round breakdowns, nationality data, requirements, and contact paths.
Tuition & Fees (All Students)
$62,500
/yr
Beyond the sticker price — every named scholarship, the financial aid policy, need-aware notes, and a personalized net-cost estimate.
How life on campus actually feels — clubs, sports, traditions, housing realities, and how the school integrates with its city.
One of the most distinguished music conservatories in the liberal arts world, offering programs in performance, composition, music education, and music business within a Christian faith context.
Wheaton's most distinctive academic area, combining rigorous scholarly study of Christian scripture and theology with the intellectual tools of philosophy, history, and linguistics. World-class faculty and graduate programs.
Rigorous natural science programs integrating Christian faith and empirical inquiry. Strong pre-medical and pre-health preparation alongside biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics.
Programs in economics, psychology, history, political science, and sociology are among the most popular at Wheaton, preparing students for graduate study, public service, business, and the professions.
Strong programs in studio art, communications, film studies, and theatre, reflecting Wheaton's commitment to the integration of artistic creativity and Christian vocation.
4 years
Wheaton's Conservatory of Music is one of the finest in the liberal arts world, blending performance excellence with a Christian liberal arts education. Programs span classical performance, composition, music education, and music business.
4 years
A rigorous scholarly program engaging scripture, theology, and Christian tradition through the lenses of history, philosophy, and languages. Wheaton is one of the leading institutions globally for evangelical theological education at the undergraduate level.
4 years
Wheaton's science programs offer strong pre-medical preparation within a Christian liberal arts context. Biology and chemistry graduates are competitive for top medical schools nationwide.
Where alumni go after graduation — top industries, grad-school continuation, and the qualitative outcomes story.
Sticker price (annual, out-of-state): $45,546
Net-cost estimate is US-resident-only — international applicants are typically excluded from need-based aid at most schools and should treat the sticker price as the planning baseline.
