A Guide To Women’s Colleges

Women's colleges and universities have a rich history of empowering female students through rigorous academics and supportive communities. Designed with women at the center, these institutions offer a unique environment that fosters personal growth and academic excellence. Along with a strong alumnae network, they provide their students with myriad leadership opportunities. Many of these colleges are part of larger consortiums, offering the benefits of shared resources and coeducational classes, even though dorms remain all-female.

The Seven Sisters, named after the Pleiades from Greek mythology, is a consortium of seven colleges established to provide higher education for women at a time when such opportunities were largely reserved for men. While Vassar College has become coeducational and Radcliffe College was absorbed into Harvard College, here's a look at the remaining 5 top women’s colleges.

1. Wellesley College

Location: Wellesley, MA

Rank: #4 in National Liberal Arts Colleges

Size: 2,280 undergraduates

Known for its alumnae network and rigorous academics, Wellesley College contains 60 departments and 150 clubs and organizations, promising its students a strong liberal arts curriculum and a vibrant campus life focused on leadership. With the highest endowment compared to the other schools, Wellesley provides its students with state-of-the-art facilities and several internship opportunities. Fun fact, some notable alumnae include Hillary Clinton and Diane Sawyer.

2. Barnard College

Location: New York, NY

Rank: #11 in National Liberal Arts Colleges

Size: 3,442 undergraduates

Barnard College, affiliated with Columbia University, combines the close-knit community of a women’s college with the vast resources of an Ivy League institution. Students benefit from small classes, dedicated faculty, and access to Columbia’s facilities and courses. Additionally, its prime location in New York City affords students extensive internship and research opportunities.

3. Smith College

Location: Northampton, MA

Rank: #16 in National Liberal Arts Colleges

Size: 2,523 undergraduates

Smith College provides a flexible academic experience with its open curriculum, allowing students to tailor their education to their interests rather than take a set of core requirements, typical of a liberal arts college. The college puts a strong emphasis on research and has access to the Five College Consortium with a few other Massachusetts colleges. Unlike many other colleges, it does not have dorms or Greek life and boasts an art museum and botanic garden on campus.

4. Bryn Mawr College

Location: Bryn Mawr, PA

Rank: #30 in National Liberal Arts Colleges

Size: 1,384 undergraduates

Located just 45 minutes from downtown Philadelphia, Bryn Mawr offers a challenging academic environment with a strong emphasis on social responsibility and activism. Its partnership with Haverford College and Swarthmore College provides students with a range of academic and extracurricular opportunities and a chance to enroll in classes at the University of Pennsylvania. Interestingly, it was the first women’s college to offer graduate education through a PhD and the first college in the United States to offer doctorates in social work.

5. Mount Holyoke College

Location: South Hadley, MA

Rank: #34 in National Liberal Arts Colleges

Size: 2,209 undergraduates

Mount Holyoke, the oldest member of the Seven Sisters colleges, offers a rigorous academic program and a vibrant campus life featuring an art museum, astronomical observatory, and a botanic garden. It's also a member of the Five College Consortium with Amherst, Hampshire, Smith, and UMass Amherst, allowing students to take courses at nearby institutions and participate in cross-campus events. Some notable alumnae include Frances Perkins, the first woman to hold a US Cabinet position, and poet Emily Dickinson. 

6. Scripps College

Location: Claremont, CA

Rank: #35 in National Liberal Arts Colleges

Size: 1,082 undergraduates

Although not a member of the Seven Sisters, Scripps College is a renowned liberal arts women’s college located on the West Coast. It is a member of the Claremont Colleges consortium and is deemed to be a leader in STEM education. The college's small size and beautiful campus create a close-knit community.

To understand whether women’s colleges are the right fit for you, speak to your mentors at OnCourse who will be able to make the most effective recommendations keeping in mind your interests, your current academic standing, and your resume. If you are not enrolled with OnCourse, reach out to set up a consultation meeting to understand more about our mentoring programs for students from Grade 8 to Grade 12.