The United States is home to a wide range of colleges and universities, each with its own unique characteristics. While larger institutions tend to dominate the headlines, there are also many tiny colleges and universities scattered throughout the country. These tiny institutions can offer unique benefits for students searching for a more personalized, intimate educational experience. In this article, we’ll explore some of the smallest colleges and universities in the United States and highlight their strengths.
Starting at the very bottom of the list, we have Deep Springs College in California. This highly selective institution, founded in 1917, enrolls just 26 students per year, all of whom are male and live on a working cattle ranch. The curriculum is focused on the liberal arts, and students participate in a full-time work program in addition to their studies. Needless to say, the sense of community at Deep Springs is tight-knit and collaboration is highly encouraged.
Next up is Maine’s College of the Atlantic, with an enrollment of just over 350 students. This environmentally-focused college offers a unique, interdisciplinary curriculum that encourages students to explore the ways in which humans interact with and impact the natural world. Students here have the opportunity to engage in hands-on research projects both in Maine and around the world, making COA an excellent choice for those interested in environmental science and activism.
Similarly focused on environmental issues, Green Mountain College in Vermont enrolls around 700 students. This college offers an entirely sustainability-focused curriculum, with interdisciplinary programs in areas such as renewable energy, ecological design, and sustainable agriculture. The campus itself has been recognized for its environmental stewardship, so students here can live and learn in a highly eco-conscious environment.
Moving on, we have other small colleges like Oglala Lakota College in South Dakota, which enrolls around 1,000 students, and Alice Lloyd College in Kentucky, which enrolls around 620 students. Both of these institutions have mission statements focused on serving specific populations or communities, such as Native Americans in the case of Oglala Lakota College or Appalachian residents in the case of Alice Lloyd College. As such, they offer unique educational opportunities tailored to the needs and interests of their respective student populations.
Finally, we have Bard College at Simon’s Rock in Massachusetts, with an enrollment of around 400 students. This unique institution allows high school students to enroll and earn college credits or even complete their Bachelor’s degrees early. The curriculum here is highly flexible, and students have the opportunity to design their own programs of study. This freedom to explore and experiment is highly appealing to many students.
In conclusion, while tiny colleges and universities are certainly not for everyone, they offer unique benefits that larger institutions cannot replicate. Students looking for intimate, personalized educational experiences, or to explore specific areas of interest, might find these small colleges and universities to be an excellent fit.
