Bradley University is a private university in Peoria, Illinois, halfway between Chicago and St. Louis. It is best known for engineering, business, nursing, computer science and game design, with small classes and links to Caterpillar, which was long headquartered in Peoria. Choose it for a practical private degree with strong outcomes.
Peoria, Illinois, United States
Official website: bradley.edu
Top 5 (U.S. News)
1897 in Peoria
Top-ranked game design programme (Princeton Review)
$22,000 – $40,000
International students, master's (lower) and undergraduate (higher) before scholarships
$12,000 – $15,000
Rent, food and local transport
Approximate figures for 2026-27, please verify. Fees change every year and vary by course, so check the latest amount on bradley.edu before you apply.
MS Computer Science
Masters DegreeDuration
18 Months
Intake
Aug, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 79
MS Mechanical Engineering
Masters DegreeDuration
18 Months
Intake
Aug, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 79
MBA
Masters DegreeDuration
18 Months
Intake
Aug, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 79
BS Game Design
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Aug
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 79
Engineering with Caterpillar and regional manufacturing links.
Game design with a partnership to Disney and industry studios.
Small classes on a compact campus.
Graduates join Caterpillar, State Farm, OSF HealthCare and Chicago employers.
STEM master's graduates can work in the US for up to three years on OPT.
Game design alumni join studios across the US.
Undergrad
1 Feb 2027
Postgrad
Rolling
Undergrad
Rolling
Postgrad
Rolling
The compact campus sits in Peoria's West Bluff with residence halls and teaching buildings close together.
Peoria is a river city with very low rent. Chicago is about two and a half hours away.
Form I-20 issued by Bradley University
Proof of funds for one academic year
SEVIS I-901 fee payment receipt
Completed DS-160 online application
US embassy or consulate interview
Passport valid six months beyond stay
Bradley reviews undergraduate applications with Early Action in November and Regular Decision around 1 February 2027. Graduate applications are rolling.
Computer science, engineering and the MBA admit for fall and spring. Game design starts in the fall.
You need an F-1 student visa. Bradley University issues your Form I-20 after you accept the offer and submit proof of funding. Then pay the SEVIS fee, complete the DS-160 and attend a visa interview at a US embassy or consulate.
Computer science, mechanical engineering, the MBA and game design are popular. Graduate admission needs a bachelor's degree with a GPA of at least 3.0 and TOEFL 79 or IELTS 6.5.
Yes. Bradley offers merit scholarships to international undergraduates and assistantships for graduate students. Check the financial aid pages.
