Women’s colleges have a rich history of producing leaders, pushing forward the movement for women’s equality, high graduation and job placement rates, and strong academic programs. If you’re looking for a tight-knit college community focused on empowerment, equality, and professional and academic achievement, add Women’s Colleges to your college list. Here’s everything you need to know about Women’s Colleges, including the benefits of attending one, what they focus on, and where to find them!

History of Women’s Colleges

TThroughout the 19th century higher education was not readily available to women. Although some institutions allowed access to women, their education was often not comparable to colleges for men.

Today, women on college campuses make up more than half of all students. Many colleges that were originally for women are now coed, but there are about 34 schools remaining that still cater to the needs of women and non-binary students in the U.S. The majority of women’s college have inclusive admissions policies for transgender and non-binary communities.

Reasons to consider attending a women’s college

There are several great reasons to add women's colleges to your college list - here are a few of them!

Small class sizes, personalized academic programs

The majority of Women’s Colleges in the US each have a total student population of under 3,000 students. If you’re interested in small classes, individualized attention from professors, opportunities for independent study, and an emphasis on community building, a Women's College might be right for you.

Higher graduation rates

Women’s Colleges have notably higher graduation rates than public colleges - especially for Black, Latinx, non-resident, and Pell-grant recipient students. Historically Black Women's College, like Spelman, has one of the highest graduation rates in the country at 76%!

The rate at which students successfully graduate from a college in 6 years gives you a clear picture of how well that school is setting up students for success, and how many who attend leave on time with a Bachelor’s degree. The national average 6-year graduation rate for public colleges hovers around 55%, while at Women’s Colleges, the average is 62%.

Unique college experience

Much of the success of women’s colleges is attributed to the unique community focus on women's colleges. For example, at Barnard there is a huge focus on holistic wellness to help women explore self-care, life skills, and explore who they are as a person.

Wondering if one of the 31+ Women’s Colleges might be a good fit for you?

Using a college search tool like Big Future gives you the ability to search by college type, including only all women colleges. This tool also allows you to search for women’s colleges by major, degree type (certificate, bachelor’s, and graduate/professional degrees), online or in-person classes, and location.

Interested in attending a women’s college or learning more about your options? Text #Hello to 33-55-77 for personalized help! If you're using a mobile device, click here to have the text message set up for you!