Schools come in all sizes—from very, very large, to very, very small. But just how small? By doing a little investigative work through Cappex.com, we have found the nation’s 10 smallest colleges and universities – read on for a peak into these itty-bitty bastions of knowledge that you definitely can’t spot from the moon!
10. Montserrat College of Art, Beverly, MA: 390 students
With a student body of 390, Montserrat College of Art is a cozily-sized school situated in Beverly, Massachusetts. Focusing heavily on the visual arts, Montserrat offers students nine different studio concentrations such as graphic design, illustration, photography, and printmaking. For collegiettes™ looking to hone their artistic skills, Montserrat is right up your alley. Alumnus Michael Nevin credits the closeness of the campus as one of the reasons why he loved attending Montserrat while pursuing a degree in photography. “I loved the sense of community,” Nevin said. “Art school gives you four years to figure yourself out without any pressure. That in itself is very liberating.” Hailed fashion designer Sigrid Olsen is also a graduate of Montserrat, where she completed an education in general design, color theory, printmaking, and photography.
9. Judson College, Marion, AL: 324 students
With its enrollment topping off at a whopping 324 undergrads, Marion, Alabama’s Judson College gives an entirely new meaning to “tight-knit campus.” Holding the title of the nation’s fifth oldest women’s college, Judson may be the perfect fit for collegiettes seeking a campus full of sisterly love and close companionship. Aside from the closely connected campus, the Baptist-based school boasts an impressive 11:1 student to faculty ratio, with 88 percent of the faculty holding doctoral degrees in their area of expertise. On-campus activities include field hockey, weekly residence hall Bible studies, formals, and volunteer projects. According to Judson graduate Teresa Tabor Wood, her college experience in the heart of Alabama was unique and rewarding, albeit very different than the usual college experience. “Judson is simply a ‘you had to be there’ experience.” Wood said. “The school is steeped in tradition. Every morning, a man walks the campus clanging a giant triangle to announce breakfast is on in the dining hall. You can’t help but come away feeling like you’ve become a part of history, a part of something really special.”
8. Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering, Needham, MA: 308 students
Olin College boasts that it is a school with an engaged community, innovative technologies and revolutionary education. Olin’s unique and well-rounded curriculum follows the “triangle” model, providing undergrads with ample training in the three essential areas of science and engineering fundamentals, entrepreneurship and liberal arts. Although Olin is small, it offers its students a menagerie of extracurricular activities! Outside of the classroom, students can enjoy on-campus clubs and student government, photography club, singing groups, and more. Whoever said that engineering is all work and no play has certainly been proven wrong by the 308 enthusiastic students at Olin College.
7. Cogswell Polytechnical College, Sunnyvale, CA: 287 students
For tech-savvy collegiettes hoping to pursue a career in digital design and animation, Cogswell Polytechnical College may be for you! With its campus holding 287 students strong, Cogswell offers unique degree programs like animation and video game development. Located in Sunnyvale, California, Cogswell is one of the most up-to-date campuses in the country, welding together digital art, engineering, and entrepreneurship, each with a specialized learning program. May we mention that the male to female ratio here is insanely high as well? For every collegiette who attends Cogswell, you will find four guys!
6. Burlington College. Burlington, VT: 168 student
Burlington College is nestled in Vermont and claims to offer undergrads “a small college experience as unique as you.” If you are a future collegiette seeking a college experience like no other, Burlington is calling your name. As a progressive institution, Burlington honors each and every of its 168 students’ individual needs with unique programs catering to a variety of interests and fields of study like film production and legal studies. The college places a heavy emphasis on arts and humanitarian projects, offering students many hands-on opportunities throughout each semester. If you are a jetsetter, get your passport ready — Burlington offers one of the only study abroad programs in Havana, Cuba! For students wishing to stay in town rather than venture outside of the country, the city of Burlington offers ample skiing opportunities and scenic mountains. No wonder why HC featured it as one of its top 15 college towns!
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5. Bryn Athyn College, Bryn Athyn, PA: 155 students
Bryn Athyn is a New Church-based liberal arts school, holding right at 155 students. Located in Pennsylvania, Bryn Athyn offers its small student body a full offering of extracurricular activities like hockey, lacrosse, tennis, and soccer. Aside from sports, additional on-campus activities include dance ensemble, student newspaper and student government. The school offers students a full array of Bachelor’s degrees, including Biology, English, History, and Education. Built in 1893, the campus is beautiful and rich in history.
4. Lyme Academy College of Fine Arts, Old Lyme, CT: 151 students
Yet another small and concentrated art school, the Lyme Academy College of Fine Arts in Connecticut offers its 151 students an in-depth college experience centered around the most renowned fine arts. Bachelor’s degrees are offered in drawing, painting, illustration, and sculpture, while certificate programs that do not require four years of study are offered in painting and sculpture only. Renowned as one of the most revolutionary schools of its kind, art critics have said, “…many in the art world believe the [Lyme] Academy has contributed to the renaissance of representational art.” Join in on the neo-Renaissance movement by checking out the Lyme College of Fine Arts!
3. Sterling College, Craftsbury Common, VT: 105 students
With just 105 students, Vermont’s Sterling College is located in the majestic and scenic Green Mountains. The college centers around environmental education and the value of having self-sustainable facilities. The undeniably small school offers six Bachelor’s degrees: Conservation Ecology, Sustainable Agriculture, Outdoor Education and Leadership, Northern Studies, Natural History, and Environmental Humanities. For all of you ladies with a green thumb out there — Sterling College could be your future home!
2. The Thomas More College of Liberal Arts, Merrimack, NH: 82 students
Coming in just one student shy of our smallest school is The Thomas More College of Liberal Arts. Founded by a group of Catholic laymen in 1978, Thomas More has remained a small and quaint campus for its students. Offering degrees in Humanities, Math, Science, Philosophy, Theology, and more, Thomas More is a small school with big potential for growth and advancement. The campus offers weekly banquets, dances, movie nights, and open mic nights to its 82 engage students in all that college life has to offer. Over 80 graduate programs across the nation have accepted Thomas More graduates into their programs, serving as a testament to the quality of the school’s academic programs.
1. Shimer College, Chicago, IL: 81 students
This Chicago-based independent college has been uniting bibliophiles since its inception in 1853. Shimer College is committed to teaching its 81 students all about the “great books,” including the Bible, The Illiad, Oedipus Rex, and more. Producing some of the most well-read students in America, Shimer is perfect for up-and-coming collegiettes who can see themselves working in a library or opening a book shop after college. Shimer’s line of study is narrow and specialized, so the intensely focused book study program will kick any avid reader into high gear.
Although attending a small college isn’t for every undergrad, each of the nation’s top 10 smallest schools have their own, unique perks. To fully research the pros and cons of specific colleges before applying, be sure to visit helpful sites like Cappex, College Board and Unigo, set up an advising session with your guidance counselor, and contemplate a future field of study for the next rewarding and exciting four years of your life!