What is a Liberal Arts College?
What Defines a Liberal Arts College?
Liberal arts colleges are institutions dedicated to undergraduate education and offer Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees. Typical majors include political science, biology, psychology, history, and fine arts. They offer traditional academic pathways while some may also have majors such as business, education, and healthcare. Unlike research universities, curriculums at liberal arts colleges highlight holistic education over specialization. Students are encouraged to enrich their education by having numerous majors and minors to develop a well-rounded skill set.
Liberal arts colleges are typically small to medium in size, ranging from 1,000 to 5,000 students. They traditionally have flourishing campus communities because of their small study bodies. Students are typically involved in clubs, teams, student government, and volunteer organizations. These extracurriculars help students build relationships, and provide leadership opportunities. If you are looking for a campus where you can explore your hobbies and interests, liberal arts colleges are great environments to easily connect with fellow students. Liberal arts colleges often offer experiential learning opportunities, which combine classroom learning with real work experience. Experiential learning opportunities range from internships, study abroad programs, and field trips. Since liberal arts colleges are smaller, these opportunities are slightly less competitive and more accessible to the student body.
Liberal Arts Colleges vs. Research Universities
The key difference between liberal arts colleges and research universities is their size and focus. Liberal arts colleges are smaller, have tight-knit communities, and focus on undergraduate education. Research universities have much larger student bodies, focus on research, and offer more graduate programs. The smaller size of liberal arts colleges give students more flexibility for a personalized learning experience whereas research universities could have more resources and opportunities in specific fields. Picking between the two depends on your academic goals and learning style.
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The Benefits of a Liberal Arts Education
By attending a liberal arts college, students are taught effective communication, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills. Their interdisciplinary practices help students become adaptable to the ever-changing job market. Employers value students from a liberal arts background because they are skilled at tackling challenges from different perspectives.
Another benefit of liberal arts education is that class sizes are smaller, which allows students to build meaningful relationships with their professors. Classes are often under 20 students, which fosters meaningful in-class discussions. Additionally, the student-to-faculty ratio is typically 10:1 or lower, compared to larger universities, where it can exceed 20:1. Instead of having classes taught by teaching assistants, professors know their student's names and are readily available for office hours. If you find that you learn better in smaller class sizes, a liberal arts education may be ideal for you!
At a liberal arts college, students have the freedom to pair unexpected majors and minors. For example, if you are interested in exploring the intersection of biology and psychology they would be able to do so. This flexibility allows students to fully customize their degrees to their various interests. Another benefit of liberal arts education is its strong alumni networks. Alumni from these smaller universities are eager to connect back with their communities to mentor current students. Liberal arts colleges have sources for current students to connect with these alumni, find internships and get advice on their future careers.
Should You Go to a Liberal Arts College?
Liberal arts colleges are ideal for students looking for a personalized college experience and a holistic education. It is excellent for those who learn best in smaller classes and enjoy having close relationships with professors. Students who are unsure about a career path thrive in a liberal arts setting because it allows them to explore multiple options throughout their college career. Those who enjoy being involved in their community will succeed in a liberal arts college environment because of the extracurriculars they offer.
Attending college is expensive, but financial aid and scholarships make the cost of college more manageable. While tuition at a liberal arts college may appear extremely expensive, most students receive significant financial aid. On average, 80%-90% of students at liberal arts colleges earn scholarships and grants that greatly reduce the cost of attending college. If cost is a leading deciding factor of what type of college to attend, students should research specialized scholarships offered at liberal arts colleges.
Overall, liberal arts colleges could be an amazing option for you! However, it is important to examine your learning and social preferences, your career goals, and how you want your college experience to look.
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