Coursework is critical to a quality education but learning outside the classroom, pursuing personal goals, and having fun are equally important. Virginia private colleges promote a healthy balance and are ideal places to live and learn.
Belong
Private college campuses are active communities. Students, faculty, and staff are more closely knit, so faces are familiar, and places feel safe. Students resoundingly report making meaningful friendships, and enjoy a strong sense of community.
Connect
Virginia private colleges attract outstanding faculty. The large majority of our professors hold the highest degree in their fields and are drawn to liberal arts colleges to focus on teaching and work with students individually. At our colleges, the average class size is 16 students and the student-to-faculty ratio is 11:1. That means more personal attention in the classroom.
Work
Students at private colleges even work directly with faculty; even undergraduates conduct original research and co-write papers with faculty. This level of interaction helps to forge strong relationships that lead to better internships, graduate programs, and career opportunities.
Participate
People at Virginia private colleges care and take action. Compared with public institutions, private colleges have many more students who volunteer, perform community service, and vote in campus elections.
Explore
Extracurricular activities fulfill casual interests, build work and life skills, and can even launch careers. Our colleges offer many ways to get involved and gain new experience. Clubs, campus publications, student government, the performing arts… there are pursuits for every interest. Fewer students on campus also means more chances to serve as a leader or step into the spotlight.
Play
What would college be without sports? High school athletes who want to compete will find great opportunities at smaller colleges. And all students can appreciate the wide array of intramural programs at our institutions.