8 Reasons to Attend a Women’s College and 15 Women’s Colleges Worth Looking At

At a time when more women than men attend college in the U.S. and most colleges and universities have more female than male students, some may question the contemporary relevance of women’s colleges. Regardless, the facts speak for themselves: women’s colleges continue to provide women with exceptional education and post-grad outcomes.  

While many prominent and inspiring women are alumni of women’s colleges (click HERE for a sampling), I struggle to convince my students to even consider the option. It is my hope that this week’s blog will help dispel preconceived notions about women’s colleges and convince young women around the country that these institutions are worth serious consideration.

8 REASONS TO ATTEND A WOMEN’S COLLEGE

one: EMPOWERMENT

Women’s colleges are exceedingly effective in helping students discover their voices, define their goals, and build a plan to achieve their aspirations.

two: ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE

Approximately two-thirds of women who enroll in women’s colleges intend to pursue graduate or professional degrees. Impressively, such grads are more likely to enter medical school and are more likely to excel in STEM disciplines.

three: SUCCESSFUL OUTCOMES AFTER COLLEGE

Graduates earn about $8,000 more per year than women who graduated from co-ed colleges and 81% of graduates say their college was extremely or very effective in helping prepare them for their first job versus 65% at public universities.  Graduates have more career success, feel happier, and earn more money. More than 20% of women in Congress and 30% of rising women in corporate America are women’s college alumni!

four: MORE LIKELY TO GRADUATE IN FOUR YEARS

The numbers don’t lie. While 55% of students at flagship public universities graduate in four years or less, the number is 85% at women’s colleges.

five: DO NOT NEED TO COMPETE TO HAVE THEIR VOICES HEARS

Four years in an empowering environment promotes—self-confidence, self-efficacy, the art of persuasion, and extensive professional networks—emboldening women to make their voices are heard when they enter the work force.

six: SMALL STUDENT BODY

The majority of women’s colleges and universities are on the small side, offering students a more personalized, collaborative, and supportive educational experience.

seven: MAKING A DIFFERENCE

Women attending women’s colleges are more likely than their peers at coed institutions to help promote social justice and a clean environment. Additionally, they are more likely to emerge as leaders.

eight: STRONGER SENSE OF COMMUNITY

Small class size, lower enrollment, and collaborative learning environments are more conducive to an enhanced sense of belonging, and thus engagement. Since engagement is an indicator for future success, this is important.

15 WOMEN’S COLLEGES WORTH A SERIOUS LOOK

While there are more than 40 women’s colleges in the United States, below are 15 that I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend to my students.

THE BOTTOM LINE: 

The idea that attending a women’s college is tantamount to joining a convent is a myth. Furthermore, women’s colleges are often near large co-ed institutions and offer the opportunity to take classes at other elite institutions (think Barnard & Columbia, Meredith College & NC State University, Mount Holyoke & Amherst/Smith, Bryn Mawr & Haverford/University of Pennsylvania, and Saint Mary’s & Notre Dame). 

Young women wanting to follow in the footsteps of women in the C-Suite and/or government should ask themselves if an all-women’s college is right for them. 

Still aren’t sure if a women’s college is right for you? For more information on fantastic women’s colleges or questions about the college admissions process in general, feel free to drop me a line at kathy@fineeducationalsolutions.com.