The institution was founded in 1873 as a preparatory school called Wilmington Conference Academy. It became a two-year college in 1918, and was renamed the Wesley Collegiate Institute. The institution conferred its first four-year degrees in 1978.

Wesley College is a United Methodist institution of higher education that seeks to be among the finest student-centered learning communities in the liberal arts tradition. Consistent with our Methodist heritage, the College affirms meaning and purpose in life through justice, compassion, inclusion and social responsibility that enhance community life and respect for the environment. Wesley College exists to liberate and empower its students with the knowledge, skills, ethical attitudes and capacity for critical thinking needed to achieve personal and professional goals and to contribute to the local and global society.

William N. Andrews (1898) � lawyer and Republican Party politician, including serving as U.S. Representative for Maryland's 1st congressional district (1919�1921) Wayne Gilchrest (A.A., 1971) � Republican Party politician, including serving as U.S. Representative for Maryland's 1st congressional district (1991�2009) Charles M. Oberly, III (A.A., 1966) � lawyer and Democratic Party politician, including serving as Delaware Attorney General (1983�1995); U.S. Attorney for the District of Delaware (since 2010) Eunan O'Neill (1982) � journalist, including for Russia Today Colin R.J. Bonini (1991) � Republican Party politician, including serving as a member of the Delaware Senate from the 16th district (since 1995) Rocky Myers (2005) � football player; awarded Gagliardi Trophy, all-American football player and National Football Foundation scholarship Bryan Robinson � professional football player; awarded all-American football player Carolyn Bunny Welsh � Republican Party politician, including serving as sheriff of Chester County, Pennsylvania Naeem Taj (1989) � IT Director

Small city 50 acres