Bradley University

Key Highlights

• Founded in 1897 and known as Bradley University since 1946
• Institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission
• Offers bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees
• Organized around five principal academic colleges

Student Life & Environment

Bradley's campus-life page lists more than 200 student organizations, alongside fraternity and sorority life, service opportunities, recreation, health and wellness support, and NCAA athletics. This gives students multiple ways to participate, but the experience will depend on which organizations remain active and how frequently they meet; applicants should check the current involvement directory when visiting. Housing is a central part of the early undergraduate experience. University policy generally requires full-time first- and second-year students to live in residence halls. Published exceptions include qualifying age, veteran status, living with immediate relatives within 40 miles, and documented medical circumstances that cannot be accommodated. Approved fraternity or sorority housing may also apply for some second-year students. Bradley provides residence halls, a university apartment complex, and St. James Apartments, with different eligibility and living arrangements. Residential options include living-learning communities and gender-inclusive housing. Dining, counseling and wellness services, campus recreation, student engagement, and career support are organized through university offices. Students comparing rooms should review current building status carefully: Bradley announced in July 2026 that Harper Hall would undergo a major renovation expected to conclude in fall 2028 and that Wyckoff Hall would be taken offline. Housing availability and assignments may therefore change during the project.

Location & Surroundings

Bradley's primary campus is in Peoria, Illinois, at 1501 West Bradley Avenue. Peoria is a midsize city in central Illinois, so the setting differs from both a rural college town and a major metropolitan campus. The university describes the city as offering music, dining, shops, gardens, festivals, arts, and entertainment. Students can also pursue internships, practica, research, and service work with regional businesses, schools, health organizations, and nonprofits. Bradley estimates that Peoria is about three hours by road from Chicago, St. Louis, and Indianapolis. Interstate 74 provides the main regional road connection. General Wayne A. Downing Peoria International Airport serves the area, though students should check current routes and schedules rather than relying on the destinations shown on an undated campus page. The campus address places students near established residential and commercial areas rather than in downtown Peoria. Prospective students should visit both the campus and surrounding neighborhoods, considering whether they will need a car for clinical placements, internships, shopping, or travel beyond university services.

Costs & Career Outcomes

For 2026–27, Bradley publishes undergraduate tuition of $43,718 for 12–16 credits per semester across the academic year, required university fees of $1,010, and standard room and board of $14,330. These direct charges total $59,058. The university's full on-campus cost-of-attendance estimate for a double room is $63,278 after adding books and supplies, transportation, personal expenses, and estimated loan fees. Course fees and charges for enrollment above 16 credits may add to the bill. These are sticker-price estimates, not the amount every student pays. Applicants should review Bradley scholarships and need-based aid, file required financial-aid forms, and compare the resulting net cost with other institutions. Housing choice changes the estimate: the published 2026–27 on-campus total is higher for a single room, while living off campus or with parents uses different living and transportation allowances. Career results should be read with their methodology. Bradley's 2024–25 first-destination study reports that 94% of baccalaureate graduates with known outcomes were employed or continuing education. The knowledge rate was 86%, representing information on 776 of 901 graduates; 74% were employed, 20% continued education, and 6% were still seeking. Results varied by college, and salary reporting was incomplete, so the university's salary ranges should not be treated as typical earnings. The Smith Career Center supports internships, job searches, résumés, interviews, networking, and career planning. Bradley reported that 94% of the 2024–25 baccalaureate graduates used its services, while 393 employers hired graduates from that class across 31 states and five countries.