The rating on Illinois Development Finance Authority's bonds, issued for Bradley University, is based on the university's: Steady demand that appears to be growing, Strong finances with high levels of unrestricted resources, and Moderate debt burden. An offsetting factor is the university's history of relatively high freshman acceptance rates. Founded in 1897, Bradley University is a private four-year university located in Peoria, Illinois. The university provides a comprehensive array of undergraduate and masters programs in liberal arts, science, education, communications, business, and engineering. Headcount has been steady the past five years and stood at 6,823 in fall 1998, 86% of whom were undergraduates. About 89% of freshman applicants were accepted for fall 1996-1998 and about 30% of accepted candidates matriculated.
