Colleges That Change Lives (CTCL) has been around for over 20 years, and it hasn’t lost its edge. It’s a program that helps students find their best selves by teaching them how to think critically and persistently as they explore alternative ways of knowing, learning, working and living in the world. CTCL is not interested in recruiting students who are looking for an easy ride through college; instead, they want people who have faces challenges throughout their lives and know what it means to overcome adversity. The program encourages its participants to choose a major that aligns with their interests and passions because it will allow them to become great at something rather than just getting by academically in order to earn a degree from any school possible.
Colleges That Change Lives 2013
Bethel College (IN)
- Bethel College is a Christian liberal arts college that provides an excellent education for students of all faiths.
- The school is ranked as one of the top colleges in the Midwest, and has been recognized as an outstanding value by U.S. News & World Report.
- The campus itself is gorgeous, with beautiful facilities and high-quality dormitories.
- Bethel’s counseling program has a great reputation among counselors who have attended other schools around the country; the school offers both undergraduate and graduate degrees in this field. Students who are interested in becoming counselors often choose to apply here because they know that their degree will be respected when they apply for jobs after graduation.
- Another popular major at Bethel is nursing—and it’s not hard to see why! Nursing students receive hands-on training from caring professors who want nothing more than to see them succeed in their chosen career path (and keep them healthy while doing so!).
Beloit College
Beloit College is a small liberal arts college in Beloit, Wisconsin. Founded in 1846, it is the oldest continuously operated coeducational institution in the state of Wisconsin. The college was named after Beloit (pronounced “Buh-LITE”), which means “little flat place” in Algonquian language.
The college offers 35 majors and 36 minors to its 1,700 undergraduate students and has an acceptance rate of just 33%. The average class size at Beloit College is 14 students with a student to teacher ratio of 10:1. The average GPA of incoming freshmen is 3.75 with scores that include ACT Composite scores averaging 32; SAT Writing scores averaging 545; SAT Math scores averaging 569; or ACT English Language Arts Composite score averaging 30.<
Blackburn College
Blackburn College is a residential liberal arts college located in Carlinville, Illinois. It was founded by Presbyterian missionaries in 1837 and is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (USA). The college offers over 40 majors and minors as well as pre-professional programs like nursing, business management, education, law enforcement administration and more. Blackburn has an average class size of 18 students and over 90% of its students are from outside of Illinois; many come from other countries around the world including China, India and South Korea.
Bluffton University
Bluffton University is a private Christian liberal arts college located in Bluffton, Ohio. It was founded in 1856 as the Bluffton Female College and became co-educational in 1971 when it changed its name to Bluffton College. The school’s name was changed again to Bluffton University after receiving university status from the Ohio Board of Regents in 2004.
Bluffton University offers bachelor’s degrees through all of its five academic schools: School of Business; Education & Human Services; Nursing; Science & Technology; and Arts & Sciences. In addition to these majors, Bluffton also offers master’s degrees in both education and nursing, as well as a doctorate program for nursing students who wish to become nursing faculty members or nurse practitioners.
Calvin College
Calvin College is a Christian liberal arts college located in Grand Rapids, Michigan. It was founded in 1876 by a group of Dutch immigrants who had separated from the First Reformed Church of Grand Rapids. The school takes its name from John Calvin, a Protestant reformer whose teachings are still influential in the school’s motto and mission statement: “To glorify God by Educating Men and Women for Lives of Service and Leadership.”
Calvin is affiliated with the Christian Reformed Church in North America (CRCNA), an evangelical Protestant denomination that emphasizes the authority of scripture over tradition while embracing progressive social values.
Chatham University
Chatham University is a small liberal arts college with a strong international focus. The school’s campus is located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and the surrounding area. Chatham is also a member of the Council of Independent Colleges (CIC).
City University of New York (CUNY), Baruch College, Brooklyn College, and Queens College
CUNY is a system of senior colleges and universities that offers more than 275 academic degree programs at 24 campuses.
Baruch College, located in New York City, is one of the 24 undergraduate colleges in CUNY’s system. It has an enrollment of more than 18,000 students who represent many racial and ethnic backgrounds.
Brooklyn College was founded in 1930 as a municipal college for men; it now enrolls women as well as men and welcomes nontraditional students. The campus is located on what was once an estate called “Vanderbilt Hall,” which belonged to Cornelius Vanderbilt II until he sold it to the city in 1917; today this estate forms part of Brooklyn College’s grounds. Queens College (QC) offers instruction through four schools: Liberal Arts & Sciences; Advanced Education Programs & Continuing Education; Business & Computer Science; Humanities & Social Sciences
Clark University
Clark University is a private university located in Worcester, Massachusetts, United States. Founded in 1887 and named after leading businessman and philanthropist George S. Clark, it was one of the first modern research universities in the United States. Clark University has several campuses across Massachusetts, New York state and Europe as well as China’s Tianjin University.
Clark University moved to its current location on Main Street (Route 9) on land formerly occupied by Shrady School. The original campus building was known for its distinctive architecture that included a tower modeled after Giralda tower at Seville Cathedral; it was demolished in 1970 after being severely damaged by fire.[3]
Earlham College
Earlham College is a liberal arts college in Richmond, Indiana. Founded in 1847 by the Society of Friends, Earlham has been educating leaders for social change for 160 years. The college’s mission is to inspire students to become servant-leaders who will make a positive difference in the world. Earlham’s commitment to social justice and simplicity extends beyond its campus; through its Office of Campus Community Engagement, it partners with local organizations like Habitat for Humanity and Richmond Community Schools so that students get real-world experience while still on campus.
Earlham is also known for offering a curriculum that emphasizes experiential learning opportunities for students across all majors—meaning you’ll be able to apply your classroom knowledge through internships or research projects outside of class!
Eckerd College
Eckerd College is a private liberal arts college located in St. Petersburg, Florida. The college was founded in 1958 and named after George and Emily Eckerd, who donated $250,000 to the school at its inception. Today students can choose from more than 80 majors and minors within eight distinct schools: the School of Arts & Sciences; the School of Business; the School of Education; the School of Marine Science & Engineering; the School of Music, Theatre & Dance; the Center for Health Studies (which recently opened a new building); Second Nature Sustainability Studies Program (with two locations); and The Center for Interfaith Learning & Leadership (a joint venture with Seminole Tribe).
Eckerd College has received recognition from numerous publications including Forbes magazine which ranked it as one of America’s Top 200 Best Value Colleges in 2014. It also ranked as one of U.S News’ Best Liberal Arts Colleges in both 2015 and 2016.
Elmhurst University (IL)
Elmhurst is an excellent choice for students who want to pursue a liberal arts education in the Chicago suburbs. The school is known for its commitment to undergraduate education; Elmhurst offers a number of unique undergraduate programs, including specializations in photography and social justice. Elmhurst has small class sizes, which ensures that each student receives the attention they need from their professors. Elmhurst also prides itself on providing students with educational resources outside of their classes, such as internships, research opportunities and study abroad opportunities.
The university’s motto “Education for a Lifetime” reflects this commitment to lifelong learning; alumni are encouraged to stay connected through a variety of programs designed specifically with them in mind—from alumni events like reunions and community service days to more formal graduate school preparation sessions (possible master’s degrees include public administration).
Because Elmhurst has been around since 1901 it has had time to build up many traditions that make it unique among colleges — for example:
- Each year the senior class raises money through car washes or bake sales so that incoming freshmen can wear brand new clothes on move-in day instead of having used ones handed down from previous classes;
- Students get together each year during orientation week before classes begin so they can meet one another off campus rather than just sitting at home waiting impatiently until classes start!
Greensboro College (NC)
Greensboro College is a small, liberal arts college located in Greensboro, North Carolina. It was founded in 1838 and is currently co-ed and residential. The school offers both undergraduate and graduate degrees through its four colleges: Arts & Sciences; Business; Education & Counseling; Nursing.
Students come from all 50 states as well as over 100 countries worldwide—including China, India, Saudi Arabia and South Korea—to attend Greensboro College each year. With an overall enrollment of 1,200 students to choose from on campus as well as online through their Online Programs division (see below), you can find plenty of variety at this school!
In addition to its diverse student body, Greensboro College also boasts one of the smallest class sizes among other colleges featured here at Colleges That Change Lives 2013: with an average class size of 19 students per professor (or 16 students per TA), your instructors will know you by name within no time flat!
Guilford College (NC)
Guilford College was founded in 1837 and is a private liberal arts college located in Greensboro, North Carolina. Guilford College is a member of the University of North Carolina System and has about 1,600 students enrolled each year. It’s also a member of the Council of Independent Colleges.
Hendrix College (AR)
- College tuition: $48,228
- Graduate school acceptance rate: 79% (2013)
- Average student loan debt at graduation: $32,500 (2013)
- Class size: ~1000 students per year. Around 600 undergraduates and ~350 graduate students.
Hendrix College is a private liberal arts college in Conway, Arkansas, United States. Founded in 1876 as a men’s college, Hendrix became coeducational in the fall of 1987, the last all-male private college in the United States to become coeducational.
Hope College (MI)
Hope College is a Christian college located in Holland, Michigan. The school was founded in 1866 as a result of the merger of two existing schools: Hope College and Holland Academy. It is a member of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU) as well as the Annapolis Group, which promotes evangelical institutions’ pursuit of excellence in undergraduate education and research.
Hope College is also part of the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA), one of two subdivisions within NCAA Division III athletics. They field men’s teams in baseball, basketball, cross country running, football, golf, hockey (men’s), lacrosse (women’s), soccer (women’s), softball and track & field; women’s teams include basketball (women’s), cross country running/track & field (women’s), golfing/field hockey(co-ed) lacrosse(co-ed) soccer(co-ed) softball swimming & diving track & field volleyball
Illinois Wesleyan University (IL)
If you’re looking for a school that will change your life, look no further than Illinois Wesleyan University (IL). This private coeducational university is located in Bloomington, Illinois and offers undergraduate degrees in more than 30 fields of study. It’s also a member of the Great Lakes Colleges Association, the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities, the College Consortium for International Studies and the Council for Advancement and Support of Education.
The University’s admissions process is holistic: they consider all aspects of your application when making an admissions decision. The school has an acceptance rate of nearly 80%, with most students applying by November 1st or December 15th (the earlier you apply—the better).
Lewis & Clark College (OR)
Lewis & Clark College is a small liberal arts college located in Portland, Oregon. The school was founded in 1867 and has maintained its reputation of being one of the most respected small colleges in the nation. The student-faculty ratio at Lewis & Clark is 9:1, which allows students to receive personalized attention from professors and staff members alike.
The college offers over 100 majors and minors, as well as programs in pre-professional study ranging from medicine to law to environmental studies. Students can also choose to focus their studies on global citizenship or civic engagement; these programs are designed for students who want to build careers around helping others through service work or activism.
Luther College (IA)
Luther College is a private liberal arts college in Decorah, Iowa, United States. Luther College is a four-year, residential, coeducational, liberal arts college affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).
Luther offers more than 50 majors and 33 minors from its three colleges: Arts & Sciences; Business & Economics; and Professional Studies. The average class size is 18 students.
These colleges help students find their best selves by teaching them how to think critically and persistently
COLLEGES THAT CHANGE LIVES are the colleges that help students find their best selves by teaching them how to think critically and persistently. These colleges are innovative and creative, committed to the liberal arts, and dedicated to helping students learn how they can live a meaningful life.
Closing
We hope that this information has been helpful and that you’re able to find the right fit for you. We’d like to remind college applicants that there are many great institutions out there, so don’t be discouraged if your top picks aren’t on this list! You can find more information about any of these colleges by visiting their websites (linked above) or calling them directly. If you have any questions at all about admissions, please feel free reach out via email at [email protected]