At a Glance
Collegeville, PA
Undergraduate Students: 1,500
Student to Faculty Ratio: 10:1
Acceptance Rate: 82%
Six Year Graduation Rate: 73%
Freshman Retention Rate: 82%
Notable Programs: Biology, Pre-Med, Economics, Psychology, Performing Arts, English, Environmental Studies and International Relations
The Feel
Ursinus College is a liberal arts college in eastern PA which offers excellent access to professors and one of a kind research opportunities for a school of its size.
The campus is located in Collegeville, PA, which is a small town but only 45 minutes from Philadelphia, offering the best of both worlds! It’s facilities are gorgeous, built with multi-colored stones.
Ursinus prides itself on a high quality education, solely focused on undergrad students as there is no graduate program to steal resources away the undergrads. It is a liberal arts college in the most pure and traditional of terms.
93% of all students live on campus, which includes 37 residence halls and 42 victorian houses, many of them themed.
All students must complete one of the following experiential learning opportunities to graduate as well as a capstone project senior year: research, study abroad, internship, student teaching or civic engagement.
All first year students will be placed in a seminar to help capture the best possible experience in a small group setting, all sharing the same academic advisor. This seminar serves as a writing course as well.
Standout Points
35% of all students are athletes, and school spirit is a big deal here! Ursinus is part of NCAA Division III and football is a popular sport on campus.
Every summer, 70 to 80 rising juniors participate in the research fellows program, all of it funded by Ursinus.
75% of all courses have 20 or fewer students in them!
Academic merit scholarships range from $24,000 to $40,000 per year, and half of the students coming in each year earn $30,000 or more!
All incoming students start undeclared and have until the end of sophomore year to declare their major. Students here are very intellectually curious and are known to graduate with multiple majors/minors.
Fun Fact
Ursinus is a sports haven, with a third of its students in varsity sports and 40% participating in intramural sports. They are also known for placing many graduates in college sports coaching positions, thanks to a long standing tradition and network of coaches.
Bottom Line Fit: For the student seeking an intellectually stimulating, community centered liberal arts education with an emphasis on experiential learning. Great for the student who may struggle to get admitted to more highly selective nearby liberal arts colleges like Haverford, Swarthmore, Lafayette, Bucknell, etc. as Ursinus admits 80% of applicants.
Learn more about Ursinus College