A liberal arts education can have many benefits for students, including providing individualized instruction, a well-rounded knowledge in various fields, and professional preparation. For those high school students in Pennsylvania (or for those who want to attend college in Pennsylvania but may be from out of state,) the state has several liberal arts colleges that are definitely worth attending.
Washington and Jefferson College
Located in Washington, Pennsylvania, a small town less than an hour from Pittsburgh, Washington and Jefferson College was founded in 1781 and has a strong tradition of academic excellence. Their core mission is to train men and women to become lifelong learners and educated citizens that are willing to take an active role in the world around them. Their classes are taught by dedicated faculty, and students enrolling in the college have a number of opportunities to improve their educational experience, including internships, student activities, and volunteer opportunities.
Gettysburg College
Gettysburg College, in the small but bustling historic town of Gettysburg, provides students with a thorough preparation in leadership through rigorous academics, experiential learning, a career network, and a number of co-curricular activities. The faculty to student ratio is approximately 1 faculty to every 10.7 students, ensuring that students who pursue study at this liberal arts college get individualized attention and advice. A number of graduates of Gettysburg College have received prestigious scholarships such as the Rhodes and Fullbright, and the college is located within easy travel distance of Baltimore, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C.
Waynesburg University
Waynesburg University is a private, Christian liberal arts institution, and it currently offers various programs at both the undergraduate and graduate level, with over 70 majors to choose from. They also offer a number of service opportunities, ensuring that students enrolled at the college gain a great deal of real-life experience to supplement their academic education. They seek to train students to appreciate God’s world through their rigorous academic curriculum, and they also have a strong commitment to diversity. If you are looking for a liberal arts college that combines a rigorous academic experience with a Christian-centered message, then Waynesburg Colege would be the ideal choice.
Franklin and Marshall College
Franklin and Marshall College, founded in 1787, encourages students to engage in as much hands-on research as possible, and their students frequently receive a great deal of research funding each year. They also house a number of centers and institutes that ensure that students have access to resources that help them to understand the role of their education in the real world. Furthermore, their College Houses ensure that students develop strong relationships with one another, creating an intellectual and social community that will help them to be lifelong learners and to continue engaging their minds.
If you’re looking for a college that will give you academic rigor combined with extensive preparation for a number of positions, combined with the desire to continually learn and engage in the global world, then be sure to apply to any of these liberal arts colleges in Pennsylvania. You’ll certainly find the experience rewarding and stimulating.
