THE BEST WOMEN'S COLLEGES IN THE U.S.

Women's colleges can provide an experience unlike any other!

Exploring women's colleges and what makes them unique!

While attending co-educational institutions has become the norm in the United States, all-women’s colleges offer a unique environment that translates into incredible student outcomes. 

Here’s what many alumni share about their experience at an all women’s college that made the educational environment special. 

An Empowering Academic Atmosphere

For many women, attending an all-women’s college marks the first time in their educational careers where all of the leaders in class and across campus are women. This provides a unique set of opportunities and an empowering environment to be a part of where students are more likely to participate actively in discussions, research, and campus initiatives. 

Intentional Leadership Development

All-women's colleges prioritize intentional leadership training and confidence-building for their student bodies. As such, many graduates go on to become leaders in politics, business, STEM fields, and academia.

Here are a few notable women’s college graduates. 

• Hillary Clinton - Wellesley College - Former U.S. Secretary of State, U.S. Senator, and First Lady.

• Madeleine Albright - Wellesley College - The first woman to serve as U.S. Secretary of State. 

• Gloria Steinem - Smith College - A pioneering feminist, journalist, and social-political activist. 

• Barbara Walters - Sarah Lawrence College - Pioneering television broadcaster and journalist. 

• Shirley Chisholm - Barnard College - First Black woman elected to the U.S. Congress and the first woman to seek the Democratic nomination for President.

• Martha Stewart - Barnard College – Businesswoman, television personality, and lifestyle mogul.

Rigorous Academic Standards

Many all-women’s colleges, such as Wellesley, Smith, and Barnard, are ranked among the top liberal arts colleges in the U.S. These institutions offer competitive programs in humanities, sciences, social sciences, and business.

Increased Representation

Women’s colleges serve as platforms to engage their students in fields where they have been historically underrepresented. 

In STEM, schools like Smith College and Mount Holyoke offer strong programs that encourage women to pursue careers in science and research. 

In politics, advocacy, and social activism, women’s colleges have been at the forefront of important social movements centering on gender equality. 

Confidence and Career Success As Educational By Product

Important research shows that women’s college graduates report higher levels of career satisfaction and self-confidence. Additionally, women’s college graduates are more likely to pursue higher education in their chosen fields and leadership roles both withing their communities and professions.

Thinking about applying? Here are 22 Women's Colleges to Explore for Your University List.

College/University	Location	Notable Programs	Acceptance Rate
Agnes Scott College	Decatur, GA	Liberal Arts, Public Health, Neuroscience	70%
Barnard College	New York, NY	Women's Studies, Political Science, Economics	11%
Bennett College	Greensboro, NC	Journalism & Media Studies, Global Studies	Open Admission
Bryn Mawr College	Bryn Mawr, PA	Liberal Arts, STEM, Social Sciences	31%
Cedar Crest College	Allentown, PA	Nursing, Forensic Science, Genetic Engineering	69%
College of Saint Benedict	St. Joseph, MN	Business, Nursing, Education	83%
Cottey College	Nevada, MO	Business Administration, Fine Arts, Health Sciences	72%
Hollins University	Roanoke, VA	Creative Writing, Psychology, Theatre	71%
Meredith College	Raleigh, NC	Business, Psychology, Education	65%
Moore College of Art and Design	Philadelphia, PA	Illustration, Fashion Design, Graphic Design	50%
Mount Holyoke College	South Hadley, MA	Biology, International Relations, English	40%
Saint Mary's College	Notre Dame, IN	Nursing, Speech Pathology, Education	81%
Salem College	Winston-Salem, NC	Education, Health Sciences, Arts	74%
Scripps College	Claremont, CA	Humanities, STEM, Gender Studies	28%
Simmons University	Boston, MA	Nursing, Library Science, Social Work	83%
Smith College	Northampton, MA	Engineering, Psychology, Art	30%
Spelman College	Atlanta, GA	STEM, Political Science, Women's Studies	39%
Stephens College	Columbia, MO	Theatre, Digital Filmmaking, Biology	59%
Sweet Briar College	Sweet Briar, VA	Engineering, Equestrian Studies, Environmental Science	76%
Trinity Washington University	Washington, D.C.	Nursing, Business, Education	96%
Wellesley College	Wellesley, MA	Economics, Political Science, International Relations	14%
Wesleyan College	Macon, GA	Business, Music, Education	47%