As you search for the right college or university, you’ve probably already heard something like this: “Choosing a college is one of the most important decisions you will ever make.” And it’s true. If you’re a young woman looking for a school that offers opportunity, support, and challenge, and women’s colleges are not on your list, then you may be missing out.
Your college choice will influence many facets of your life from the day you enroll. It’s important to search for colleges and universities that truly fit you: those that offer strong academics and extracurricular activities, career placement, and a social atmosphere that work for your goals. And there are so many women’s colleges that fit this description. Let’s explore why a women’s college could help you thrive and reach your academic and personal potential.
What is the women’s college advantage?
Studies comparing students at women’s colleges with women at co-ed private liberal arts colleges and public universities find that students at women's colleges are more likely to experience high levels of academic challenge, engage in active and collaborative learning, and join activities that provide opportunities to integrate their curricular and co-curricular experiences. Students at women's colleges also tend to thrive studying STEM subjects—subject and career areas in which women are traditionally underrepresented—and, later, pursuing graduate studies and careers in these fields.
Women's colleges also offer notably distinctive educational options, including women-centered pedagogies, curricula, and environments (from female role models to leadership opportunities to alumnae networks) that are focused on your education, your personal and professional development, and your advancement in an ever-changing world.
Related: 3 Great Benefits of Attending a Women’s College
What to look for in women’s colleges
From the East Coast to the West, each women’s college has its own distinctive identity and culture but with one thing in common: an unequivocal commitment to your education and advancement. In your search for the right school, profiles, and websites for great women’s colleges and universities will emphasize that it:
- Proves its value over a lifetime. Graduating from a women’s college increases the chances of earning a graduate degree. Women’s college graduates succeed in entering a range of career fields and graduate programs, regardless of their undergraduate major. Most alumnae feel the financial investment in their education was worthwhile and that the intellectual and personal capacities they gained are extremely important to them.
- Develops critical skills for life and career. The need for critical thinking, global knowledge, intercultural competence, and real-world abilities cannot be understated. Women’s colleges excel in helping students learn to think analytically, gain social and historical perspective, work as part of a team, write and speak effectively, gain entry to a career, and be politically and socially aware.
- Provides excellent resources and employs top faculty. Women’s college graduates attribute their success to interaction with a high-quality, teaching-oriented faculty and typically benefit from mentorship, small classes, and personal academic assistance.
- Creates leaders, communicators, and persuaders. Speaking out and speaking up, both key components of leadership and civic engagement, are capacities actively developed at women’s colleges. Women’s college alumnae report more in-class experience with making presentations than their peers at other institutions and are more likely to gain leadership experience in student government and campus media.
Find out for yourself
Visit campuses and meet with students—especially those with whom you share educational background or similar interests. Attend classes and spend a night. Check out the Women’s College Coalition to see what students, alumnae, faculty, the media, and researchers have to say about the benefits of attending a women’s college. These places will give answers to your questions about how a women’s college feels, including social life and fun, academic rigor and excellence, research and leadership opportunities, role models and mentors, campus diversity, student services, and safety. All of these will help you make the right decision about the right college for you! We asked one student about her experience at a women’s college, and here’s what she had to say:
“The best part about attending a women’s college is the opportunity to build sisterhood relationships without the need for sororities. I think what female students look for in sororities is the support, leadership, and experiences that I have already encountered at Mills College. When I joined the soccer team, I found teammates that were passionate about soccer and were supportive of each other regardless of whether we won or lost a match. When I joined our student government, the Associated Students of Mills College (ASMC), I found women who showed amazing leadership drive to make changes that were needed on campus and made sure to represent the voice of the student population. I met friends whom I’ve sung karaoke with on a dorm porch, gotten lost with while exploring the San Francisco Bay Area, and had many shoulders to cry on during stressful times. I have been fortunate to find it all at Mills College.”
— Dolores Molina ’09, Mills College, Oakland, California
Related: Don't Believe These Common Myths About Women's Colleges
Imagine the possibilities at women’s colleges, where women and nonbinary students come together from all racial, ethnic, cultural, socioeconomic, religious, and age demographics. Ret. Lt. General Claudia Kennedy, the first female to reach the rank of three-star general in the US Army, says, “Women not only see things differently from men, but they see different things. That only adds strength to an organization.” Women's colleges can take you to a lot of places, all of them on the path to success. Get ready to launch into a bright future at one of these reputable institutions!
Have we piqued your interest in women’s colleges? You can connect directly with these schools right from our list of Great Colleges and Universities for Women and Nonbinary Students.
