Best Colleges That Feel Like Home
College is a time of growth, exploration, and discovery—but it’s also a place that can feel like the biggest fishbowl in the world. The best colleges help you find your home away from home and make you feel at ease. Whether you’re looking for a big city or small town, these seven schools have everything you need to succeed and thrive:
1. Fairfield University, Fairfield, Connecticut
Fairfield University is a private Catholic university in Fairfield, Connecticut. It was founded in 1942 by the Society of Jesus, more commonly known as Jesuits. The school’s motto is “the human spirit is never more alive than when it is in community,” and its mission statement reads:
“Fairfield University exists to educate and form men and women for others through integrated learning encompassing intellectual, spiritual, ethical and social dimensions.”
The university has a beautiful campus dotted with historic buildings that have been around since its founding. It also has many majors and minors available to students (including an extensive business program), so you can tailor your education to your specific interests.
2. High Point University, High Point, North Carolina
High Point University is a private, coeducational university located in the city of High Point, North Carolina. Established in 1871 as the Guilford Collegiate Institute, it was renamed High Point College and finally changed to its current name in 1893. With a student population of over 5,000 undergraduates and graduate students, HPU offers over 80 undergraduate majors and 30 master’s degree programs as well as 12 doctoral programs through its five colleges. The university also offers three online degrees through their School of Professional & Continuing Studies division: Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership (MAL), or an accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s degree combination program called Integrated MBA/MAL program which allows students to earn their bachelor’s degree at another school before completing their graduate work at HPU without losing any credits toward graduation requirements for either degree path!
3. Misericordia University, Dallas, Pennsylvania
Misericordia University is a private, coeducational, comprehensive university located in Dallas, Pennsylvania, approximately 30 miles north of Scranton. It is affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
The university’s main campus features a variety of amenities including an on-campus fitness center and wellness center with yoga studio and spinning room; two residential dining facilities which serve all meals except for Sunday brunch at one of the two cafés; student lounge areas; coffee bar; multiple lounges throughout campus (including one in the library); and several meeting rooms available for reservation throughout campus. Misericordia University also has a satellite campus located in downtown Wilkes-Barre with access to additional student services such as 24/7 computer labs, career counseling center, offices for financial aid & academic advising services etc., which enables students who live closer to Wilkes-Barre than Dallas/Scranton area access these resources if needed without having to travel far distances away from home during their college years.
Misericordia offers over 60 undergraduate majors across four schools: School of Business & Entrepreneurship (undergraduate programs), School Humanities & Social Sciences (undergraduate programs), School Natural Sciences & Mathematics (undergraduate programs), School Nursing & Health Professions (undergraduate programs).
4. Elon University, Elon, North Carolina
Elon University is a private liberal arts university located in the heart of North Carolina. This beautiful campus has everything you need to feel at home, including great academic programs and lots of activities for students.
Elon offers many opportunities for incoming freshmen to get involved on campus as well as provide them with a smooth transition into college life. One of the best ways to make friends and become more involved is by joining one or more student organizations such as the Student Government Association (SGA), Environmental Center Advisory Board (ECAB), Student Legal Services Organization (SLSO), Honors Program Council, Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority or Alpha Chi Omega sorority.
5. Rollins College, Winter Park, Florida
Rollins College is a private liberal arts college in Winter Park, Florida. Founded in 1885 by Henry Morrison Flagler as a Baptist school, Rollins College is one of the top-ranked colleges according to U.S News & World Report’s 2019 Best Colleges list. The college is also a member of the SACS (Southern Association of Colleges and Schools), AACSB (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business) and NASM (National Association for Sport and Physical Education).
As you might expect from its name, Rollins College has an atmosphere that feels like home on campus. With more than 300 student organizations available at the school, there are plenty of opportunities for students to get involved with their peers while also having fun at their new school!
6. Stetson University, DeLand, Florida
Stetson University is a private university in DeLand, Florida, United States. The university’s name is derived from the hat that was popular among the university’s founders and early students. Stetson is known for its business, law, and fine arts programs.
Stetson University was founded in 1883 as a Baptist college by members of the Volusia County Association of Baptists with $100 paid by each member towards their share of stock.[2] It opened on October 1, 1884 on its first campus located at Orange Avenue and Third Street in DeLand; it had 53 students enrolled.[3] In 1896 it became one of the first colleges to use a teaching hospital as part of its curriculum when it established Stetson Hospital.[6] Stetson’s law school has been acclaimed throughout Central Florida since it was ranked #1 by U.S News & World Report in 2001-2002 edition[7] (the latest year for which rankings are available).
7. Hendrix College, Conway, Arkansas
- Hendrix College is a private liberal arts college in Conway, Arkansas.
- It is a member of the Associated Colleges of the South and has an undergraduate enrollment of 1,972 students.
- The school was founded in 1876 as a men’s preparatory school by missionary Adoniram Judson Gordon (1832-1892).
These seven colleges offer superior education with a family feel
The best colleges that feel like home are small and intimate. They have a strong sense of community, a close-knit group of students, and they foster the feeling that you belong there. These schools also have a strong sense of tradition: they hold on to their history by celebrating it through events and traditions year after year. They also understand who they are as an institution and how they fit into the world around them.
There are many ways to gauge whether or not a college is right for you, such as academic programs, campus life amenities, financial aid options, alumni network opportunities and more! But if we’re honest with ourselves (and each other), at the end of our day – when we’re laying in bed trying not to think about tomorrow’s exam – all we really want is somewhere that feels comfortable enough for us to call home away from home.”
Each one of these colleges has something special to offer. From the beautiful campuses to the friendly student body and faculty, they all feel like home. The best part is that you don’t have to choose just one! If you can afford it, consider applying to multiple schools so you can compare them side-by-side. You might be surprised at what you find out about yourself along the way…