Women’s Colleges

Feeling at home and supported on campus can make all the difference in your college experience. So consider looking for schools that offer you the space to be yourself and learn in an environment tailored to your needs. One way to find such a school is to look for specialized colleges and universities, like Women's Colleges. 

What are Women's Colleges? 

Women's colleges are educational institutions that exclusively cater to female students, providing them with a supportive and empowering environment to thrive academically, personally, and professionally. These colleges have a long-standing tradition of empowering women, fostering leadership skills, and promoting gender equity. 

Why Are Women's Colleges Important? 

Women's colleges have a long history of empowering women and promoting gender equality. By providing a dedicated space for women's education, these institutions create an environment where women can develop their voices, leadership skills, and self-confidence. 

Studies have shown that women who graduate from women's colleges often have higher career success rates, including higher earnings and greater representation in leadership positions. The supportive and empowering environment of women's colleges helps women overcome societal barriers, build strong professional networks, and develop the skills and confidence necessary to navigate the professional world.

Benefits of Attending a Women's College

Attending a women's college comes with a range of benefits that can profoundly impact your personal and professional development. Here are some key advantages:

Enhanced Learning Environment:

  • Women's colleges foster an inclusive and collaborative learning environment where women can confidently voice their opinions, engage in meaningful discussions, and develop critical thinking skills. With smaller class sizes, you'll receive personalized attention from professors, encouraging a deeper understanding of the subject matter.

Mentorship and Support:

  • Women's colleges prioritize mentorship and provide ample opportunities to connect with faculty members and successful alumnae who can guide you throughout your academic journey. Their support and guidance can help you navigate career choices, explore research opportunities, and make informed decisions about your future.

Leadership Development:

  • Women's colleges are renowned for cultivating strong leadership skills. Through dedicated leadership programs, internships, and student organizations, you'll have the chance to develop confidence, assertiveness, and effective communication skills — qualities essential for success in any field.

Strong Professional Networks:

  • Women's colleges boast extensive networks of successful alumnae who are often eager to help current students. These networks provide invaluable connections and mentorship opportunities, opening doors to internships, job placements, and mentorship programs in various industries.

Attending a women's college offers a unique and empowering experience for students seeking to shape their future. From supportive communities and tailored resources to enhanced learning environments and leadership development, these institutions provide the tools and opportunities needed to unleash your full potential. 

Consider embracing the power of women's colleges and embark on a transformative educational journey that will empower you to excel in your chosen field.

How You Can Use This List of Women's Colleges 

These colleges have dedicated themselves to providing an environment ideal for you to connect with other women, learn, and support each other. By choosing one of these colleges, you will have the support needed to succeed academically and personally while ensuring space for all others in your community. 

Barnard College

Founded in response to neighboring Columbia University’s all-male admission policy, Barnard College is one of the oldest women’s colleges in the United States and a member of the Seven Sisters colleges. Located on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, Barnard...

“…

Barnard college is one of the most unique college experiences that exist- partly because of it's location in NYC, partly because of the affiliation with Columbia, and partly because of its existence as a women's college. Being a part of Columbia is...

” – Cassie
Wellesley College

Founded in 1870, Wellesley College is a 4-year liberal arts college for women in eastern Massachusetts as well as a member of the Seven Sisters Colleges and Three-College Alliance. Wellesley confers undergraduate degrees in over 50 departmental and...

“…

Wellesley is an excellent liberal arts school because, in a nutshell, they teach you how to figure the world out for yourself. They have excellence in everything: faculty, location, students, campus, dining, residential staff, dorms, comprehensive...

” – Christine from Salt Lake City, UT
Scripps College

Scripps College is the women’s college of the Claremont Colleges, located in sunny Southern California. Scripps students enjoy access to over 60 majors, small class sizes, and a collaborative learning environment with professors who value reciprocal...

“…

There is definitely a specific type of student who does well at Scripps College. This student is nerdy (and not necessarily in the Big Bang Theory sense), curious, and--most importantly--open to new ideas and new experiences. The required courses...

” – Irina from San Rafael, CA
Smith College
Northampton, MA
Smith College

Smith College is an all-female liberal arts institution in western Massachusetts and the largest all-women’s college in the country. The biggest school among the Seven Sisters Colleges, Smith offers degrees and certificates in over 50 areas of study...

“…

The academics at Smith are amazing. There are no core classes and the professors are excellent. If there's something Smith doesn't have, you can easily enroll in a class at one of the other colleges of the Five College Consortium.

” – Veronica from Plymouth, MA
Mount Holyoke College

Founded in 1837, Mount Holyoke College is a 4-year women’s liberal arts college in western Massachusetts. The oldest college among the Seven Sisters, Mount Holyoke grants undergraduate degrees in 48 academic majors and also gives students the...

“…

Mount Holyoke is a great school with great facilities. There is also a great 5 College consortium that allows you to further expand your depth of knowledge and connections with students/professors in your field. The small class sizes give students a...

” – Nia
Bryn Mawr College

Founded in 1885, Bryn Mawr College is a women’s liberal arts institution in the greater Philadelphia area and part of the Seven Sisters. Bryn Mawr offers undergraduate degrees in 37 majors and was the first women’s college to confer a PhD...

“…

The campus is absolutely beautiful. The academics are rigorous.

” – Mary from plano, TX
Wabash College
Crawfordsville, IN
Wabash College

One of only three all-male institutions of higher learning in the United States, Wabash College is a liberal arts college in western Indiana. Wabash offers undergraduate degrees in 25 academic majors and features a Liberal Arts Plus initiative to...

“…

Wabash College is a small, liberal arts college for males in Crawfordsville Indiana that pushes young men to go beyond the minimum of what is asked of a college student. Wabash provides numerous opportunities for their students to get involved and...

” – Michael from Carmel, IN
Spelman College

Spelman College is an historically Black college and the first in history for women only, which is still the college's primary focus today. The most selective women's college in the nation, Spelman has also topped US News & World Report's list of...

“…

It's EXPENSIVE...but well worth it...to afford it, just keep on top...better yet, AHEAD, of your scholarship searches and info...you'll make it just fine...

” – Chastity from College Grove, TN
College of Saint Benedict

Together, the College of Saint Benedict (CSB), for women, and Saint John’s University (SJU), for men, form a one-of-a-kind partnership of two top colleges – combining the abundant opportunities of a larger university with the small class sizes and...

“…

Classes here are challenging, certainly, but we're not paying private school tuition to take easy classes! Of course, the level of difficulty per class depends on the prof and the type of class (101 vs. Honors 311), but overall expect to have to work...

” – Trish from Mankato
Hampden-Sydney College

Founded in 1775, Hampden-Sydney College is an all-male liberal arts school located in Hampden Sydney, Virginia. H-SC is a affiliated with the Presbyterian Church and its campus is listed on both the National Register of Historic Places and the...

“…

I believe that I am getting a top notch education at HS-C. My professors have been interesting and helpful. Class size is just right.

” – A student from Bedford, VA
Simmons University

Simmons University is a private, liberal arts university located in Boston, Massachusetts. Simmons offers a women’s undergraduate education in 60+ majors and programs, as well as four graduate schools for its co-ed graduate population. The university...

“…

My classes at Simmons have proved to be exciting and stimulating, and there are also a lot of social opportunities at Simmons. This includes frequent events such as plays, movie nights, sporting events, city outings, special guests and more. Not to...

” – Anne from Philadelphia
Cottey College

Founded in 1884, Cottey College is a women’s liberal arts college in southwest Missouri.  Cottey confers bachelor’s degrees in 12 academic majors as well as several associate degree-granting programs. In addition, Cottey pays for second year students...

“…

The class sizes are 5-25 students, but usually end up being 15, providing a great learning environment. And what makes it even better is the teachers actually know you by name and care about your grades! They are available to help/talk to you at...

” – Jessica from Wayne, MI
Saint Johns University

Together, the College of Saint Benedict (CSB), for women, and Saint John’s University (SJU), for men, form a one-of-a-kind partnership of two top colleges – combining the abundant opportunities of a larger university with the small class sizes and...

“…

I expect to learn a lot in this environment where the faculty is very involved in the students progress.

” – Ryan from Texas
Saint Mary's College

Saint Mary’s College is a private, Catholic, women’s college in Notre Dame, IN with a focus on “creating leaders & women of action.” The college offers more than 50 academic programs, which include six nationally accredited programs, and four...

“…

My current intended major is Nursing, but I'm learning so many other great things that I feel more informed about the world than ever before. Not only is St. Mary's good at teaching her students about the past, but also on keeping us updated about...

” – Allison from Battle Creek, MI
St Catherine University

St. Catherine University (St. Kate’s) is a private 4-year Catholic university that is respected globally for educating women to lead and influence. Located in St. Paul, Minnesota, St. Kate’s is the largest private women’s university in the nation and...

“…

The things I learn in class, I can connect to my outside life. I took a history class last year and to help me study for the final, I watched Pearl Harbor at home and made connections! It was a fun way to help me study! Believe it or not, I also...

” – Kayla from South St Paul, MN
Bay Path University

Bay Path University is an all-female undergraduate univeresity in southern Massachusetts with co-educational programs at the graduate level. Bay Path confers bachelor’s degrees in 58 programs of study and also operates the first all-female online...

“…

GREAT academics with a handful of amazing professors i.e. Professor Semprebon, Professor Drewniak, Professor Bacon..Forensic Science major WHOOP WHOOP=).

” – Brianna from Elmont, NY
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Wesleyan College is a private, 4-year, women’s institution. Founded in 1836, Wesleyan was the first college in the world chartered to grant degrees to woman, and its 200-acre, wooded campus has since been added to the National Register of Historic...

“…

Each class offers its own, unique challenge for students. With a 10 to 1 student to professor ratio, the discussions are dynamic and intellectually stimulating. Faculty offer the best quality of education possible, and are determined to see you...

” – Francesca from Macon, GA
Agnes Scott College

Agnes Scott College is a private all-female institution affiliated with the Presbyterian Church. The campus is located in Decatur, Georgia, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Agnes Scott has been called one of the “Seven...

“…

I have never been exposed to so much information in one academic year! Because of the distributional requirements you are exposed to a multitude of subjects and you learn a little bit of everything. My first year, I took classes in History, Biology...

” – Kristina from Thonotosassa, FL
Cedar Crest College

Cedar Crest College has been empowering women to smash glass ceilings and achieve their educational goals since 1867. Today, the College continues to open the doors to opportunities for its diverse student body, both in the undergraduate women's...

“…

The classes here are very engaging. Professors know how to make class interesting while you receive a great education. The professors here always have plenty of office hours in case you may need assistance in learning the course material. There are...

” – Jessica from Dover, DE
Meredith College

More than 130 years ago, Meredith College opened with just over 200 women. Today, our student population is more than 1,700, and we're ranked regionally and nationally among the best colleges.



Meredith is located in Raleigh, North Carolina's capital...

“…

At Meredith College all of your professors will know your name and how well you are doing in their class. They continually strive to challenge and introduce students to new topics and conflicts that our generation faces and provide students with the...

” – Niki from Wake Forest, NC