Women’s colleges are dedicated to women’s academic excellence. Check out the top women’s colleges investing in the higher education of women.
women’s colleges experienced steady or increasing enrollment in recent decades, most encountered financial loss due to low enrollment. The Me Too movement and other political actions have helped increase applications to women’s colleges, providing a much-needed boost for many institutions.
1.Barnard College
Barnard College was founded as a private institution in 1889. Over 2,600 students attend Barnard College on its New York City campus. Barnard partners with Columbia University, allowing students to enroll in courses, compete in athletics, and receive a diploma from both institutions.
Seventy-two percent of Barnard classes have fewer than 19 students. Some of Barnard’s most popular degree programs include political science, art history, psychology, and literature.
Barnard’s alumni network connects current students to mentorship programming in support of ongoing academic achievement. Greta Gerwig, Zora Neale Hurston, and Martha Stewart are among Barnard’s most notable alumni.
2.Wellesley College
Wellesley college, located in Massachusetts, was founded in 1870. Wellesley is a private liberal arts college enrolling about 2,400 students. Class sizes average 17-20 students.
Wellesley holds a 94% graduation rate, and you can choose from over 50 majors. The study abroad and intercollegiate exchange programs invite you to participate in unique learning opportunities overseas and worldwide.
Some of Wellesley’s most popular academic programs include psychology, political science, and economics. The Albright Institute and the Wellesley Fund invest in women’s academic achievements on campus and worldwide. Hillary Clinton, Nora Ephron, and Madeleine Albright are among Wellesley’s most notable graduates.
3.Bryn Mawr College
Bryn Mawr College, located in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, was founded in 1885. The school enrolls more than 1,600 students with an 8-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio.
Bryn Mawr offers over 35 undergraduate programs and graduate degrees in social work, social research, and the arts and sciences. Popular undergraduate programs include psychology, political science, mathematics, and literature.
Bryn Mawr supports students’ academic achievements by partnering with Haverford College, Swarthmore College, and the University of Pennsylvania. The school’s Q Project focuses on the development of quantitative skills, enhancing the experiential learning practices of many courses. Katharine Hepburn and Maggie Siff are among Bryn Mawr’s most notable alumni.
4.Smith College
Smith College, founded in 1871, is located in Northampton, Massachusetts. As one of the largest women’s colleges in the country, Smith enrolls more than 2,000 students each year.
Smith College is a member of the Five College Consortium, increasing course offerings for students. Smith offers over 50 academic programs and has an average class size of 19 students.
Some of Smith’s most popular academic programs include biology, computer science, engineering, literature, and political science. The school’s honors programming, disability services, and the Spinelli Center for Quantitative Learning support and invest in students’ academic achievements.
5.Scripps College
Scripps College was founded in 1926. Scripps is a private institution with over 100 full-time faculty members. The Claremont, California campus enrolls about 1,000 women majoring in over 65 disciplines.
The average class size at Scripps College is 16 students. The most popular majors at Scripps College include biology, social sciences, and communications.
Scripps College is the only women’s college member of the Claremont Colleges consortium — seven private institutions providing academic support and an on-campus community.
6.Mount Holyoke College
Mount Holyoke College is located in South Hadley, Massachusetts. Founded in 1837, Mount Holyoke College enrolls about 2,200 undergrad students. About 70% of classes at the school average less than 20 students.
Economics, environmental studies, literature, and computer science are among the most popular of the 48 academic programs at Mount Holyoke. Women’s academic achievement is prioritized through social activism, global leadership programs, and dedication to STEM learning.
7.College of Saint Benedict
The College of Saint Benedict was founded in 1857 to support historically excluded and disenfranchised women. The private women’s college is located in Saint Joseph, Minnesota.
The average class size at CSB is 19 students. Some popular academic programs at the school are business administration, biology, registered nursing, and psychology.
Both CSB’s retention and graduation rates are 85%, and nearly all students receive a financial aid package upon acceptance. In support of women’s academic pursuits, CSB seeks to end structural inequities and promote purposeful learning through an integrated curriculum model.
8.Simmons University
Simmons University was founded in 1899 and is located in Boston, Massachusetts. More than 4,500 students attend Simmons University, with 100% of first-year students receiving financial aid packages.
In over 60 academic programs of study, Simmons offers an average class size of 13 students. Some popular programs include kinesiology, registered nursing, and communications.
Simmons’ investment in women’s academic achievement is seen in its expansion, growing to include more academic programs and leadership initiatives. Some of the most notable Simmons alumni include Gwen Ifill and Margaret Murie.
9.Spelman College
Spelman College, one of the oldest historically Black colleges for women, was founded in 1881. Spelman is located in Atlanta, Georgia and enrolls over 2,000 students.
The school has an 11-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio. Popular academic programs include health services, political science, psychology, and biology.
To showcase its investment in women’s academic achievement, Spelman offers fellowship awards, study abroad programs, and innovative STEM resources. Notable Spelman alumni include Stacey Abrams, Alice Walker, and Keshia Knight Pulliam.
10.College of Saint Mary
College of Saint Mary, founded in 1923, is a private Catholic university. The school prides itself on service learning, offering over 100 opportunities for students to learn how to serve others. Built on a foundation of faith-based education, College of Saint Mary enrolls 850 students in 25 majors.
The college is located in Omaha, Nebraska and is the only women’s college in the city. All first-time, full-time students receive 100% financial aid or scholarship funding to attend the school.
College of Saint Mary is home to the only four-year, American Bar Association approved paralegal program in the state. With classes taught only by licensed attorneys, the