Smallest Colleges in the U.S.

Studying at a Small College

Thinking about going with a smaller college? Here are some useful things worth considering before finalizing your choice.

• Class Size: Smaller colleges have less students than bigger colleges, which means that each class is bound to have significantly less people in it. This allows for interaction with peers as well as a more one-on-one learning experience with professors and faculty. Teachers are a lot more likely to remember their students by name and build a working relationship with them.
• Social Life: If you thrive in meeting people in smaller groups, you’ll make yourself right at home in a small university. While small colleges usually have fewer social events, you may find that people are friendlier and more community-oriented at these schools because everyone gets to know each other relatively quickly.
• Activities: Smaller universities tend to have fewer activities to choose from, but there’s always room for growth. Student voices are a lot more likely to be heard at a smaller college than a bigger one, so if you are the type to implement change and utilize your leadership skills to start up sub-communities at your school, then this may be a very viable option!
• Courses: The variety of courses is more limited in smaller colleges than bigger ones. However, this is not to say that the quality of education is inferior. Students have the advantage of getting individual attention and guidance in whatever they choose to study, and can even work with academic advisors on developing a field of study perfect for you and your goals.

Which College is Best for You?

The best way to determine which college size is the best fit for you is to set aside some time to visit campuses and speak with people at each institution to really get an idea of what the culture and environment is like. Some questions to ponder when trying to decide whether a college is a good fit are:

• Can I see myself at this campus?
• What degree programs are available? Are my top degree/major choices available at this school?
• What kind of extracurricular activities could I see myself participating in?
• Is it easy to get around outside of campus if needed (i.e. grocery stores, restaurants, etc.)?
• Is there convenient and safe public transportation?
• Are there any academic societies I can become a part of?
• Is the college located in a safe area?
• What resources are available to me to ensure a top-notch education?
• How does this college compare to others I’ve seen? What are its pros and cons?