Not too small and not too big, mid-sized colleges bring a good medium for students who want to experience the best of both worlds. The list of the top 25 best mid-sized colleges below contains schools that have between 3,000 and 9,999 total students enrolled – so, this includes undergraduates and graduate students.
Top 25 Best Mid-Sized Colleges
A private Ivy League research university, Princeton University was founded in 1746 and originally known as the College of New Jersey. This makes it the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the country. The school receives around 39,600 applications annually and has an acceptance rate of only 5%, making it highly competitive.
Location
Princeton, NJ
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
8,842
A private Ivy League research university, Dartmouth was founded before the Declaration of Independence was signed. Three famous alumni include Daniel Webster, Robert Frost, and Thaddeus Stevens. The school also graduated several members of the Senate and House of Representatives in the United States, Nobel Prize laureates, and more.
Location
Hanover, NH
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
6,744
A selective school, only 8% of applicants are accepted into Rice. The school has 11 residential colleges and eight schools of academic study. Rice University was established in 1912 and named after William Marsh Rice. He had requested a free-tuition educational institute be opened after his death.
Location
Houston, TX
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
8,672
A public undergraduate school, the United States Naval Academy’s motto, in Latin, is “Ex Scientia Tridens,” or “From Knowledge, Seapower.” It was established in 1845 and saw disruption and riots during the Civil War that almost caused the government to move the school. Today, it has student to faculty ratio of 8 to 1.
Location
Annapolis, MD
Institution Type
Public
Student Enrollment
4,450
Barnard College is a private women’s liberal arts college located on the banks of the Hudson River. The school was actually founded in response to Columbia University not admitting women. Today, it’s part of the Seven Sisters, an association of women’s liberal arts colleges in the country. Their motto, which is Greek, is “hepomene toi logismoi” or “following the way of reason.”
Location
New York City, NY
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
3,442
Babson College began as an all-male school in 1919, originally known as Babson Institute. It would become coeducational in 1969. The school has an astounding 95% first year retention rate and 88% four year graduation rate. The only major available is Business Administration and Management, General. Athletes compete in the NCAA Division III and are known as the Beavers.
Location
Wellesley, MA
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
3,989
Wesleyan University’s top majors include Econometrics and Quantitative Economics, Psychology, and Political Science and Government. The school was founded as a men’s college and became fully co-educational in 1970. The campus is located on the bends of the Connecticut River. Cardinal and black are the official school colors of Wesleyan’s sports teams.
Location
Middletown, CT
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
3,253
Colgate University is known as a “Hidden Ivy” and a “Little Ivy.” The school regularly makes lists naming the most beautiful campuses in the United States. 3,100 students at Colgate study at the undergraduate level. However, the school offers up to the master’s degree level of Education. Maroon and white are the official school colors.
Location
Hamilton, NY
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
3,141
Management Science, Business Administration and Management, and Law are popular majors at Wake Forest. The school has produced astounding alumni, including 15 Rhodes Scholars, 15 Truman Scholars, and 92 Fulbright recipients. A founding member of the Atlantic Coast Conference, the Demon Deacons wear old gold and black.
Location
Winston-Salem, NC
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
8,963
“Verbum Vitae et Lumen Scientiae” or “Word of Life and the Light of Knowledge” is the motto of the University of Richmond. About 23% of applying students are accepted. 3,150 attending students are undergraduates. The school has an interesting mascot - WebstUR the Spider.
Location
Richmond, VA
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
3,876
The second-oldest institution of higher education in the United States, King William III and Queen Mary II founded the aptly named College of William & Mary in 1693. A public research university, alumni have included Thomas Jefferson, James Monroe, John Tyler, James Comey, and Jon Stewart. The mascot is the Griffin.
Location
Williamsburg, VA
Institution Type
Public
Student Enrollment
9,654
The College of the Holy Cross accepts 21% of applicants, boasting a strong 95% first year retention rate and 88% four year graduation rate. It is the oldest Catholic college in New England. Today, it’s a part of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities. Athletes are known as the Crusaders (who are also their mascot) and they wear Royal purple and white.
Location
Worcester, MA
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
3,083
The first class of cadets at the United States Air Force Academy graduated in 1959. This class selected a falcon as their mascot to embody speed, power, and courage – all characteristics incoming cadets will need to demonstrate. The Academy accepts 14% of applicants, and 94% of students will stay at the school after they complete their first year.
Location
USAF Academy, CO
Institution Type
Public
Student Enrollment
4,085
Lehigh University’s motto in Latin is “homo minister et interpres naturae,” which means “man, the servant and interpreter of nature.” Known as the Mountain Hawks, the athletes at Lehigh University compete in track, football, lacrosse, soccer, and other sports. Clutch the Mountain Hawk is their mascot.
Location
Bethlehem, PA
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
7,394
Originally opening in 1851, Santa Clara University is actually the oldest operating institution of higher learning in the state. Athletes are known as the Broncos where they compete in the West Coast Conference. Former Broncos have gone on to play in the NBA, NFL, and MLB, and have won at least 13 Olympic gold medals.
Location
Santa Clara, CA
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
9,178
Brandeis University is a Private, Doctoral/Research University located in Waltham, Massachusetts. In the last academic cycle, it received around 11,000 applications. Brandeis is part of the University Athletic Association, with Basketball and Soccer as the two most popular sports among its athletes.
Location
Waltham, MA
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
5,581
The United States Military Academy is also known as West Point or the Academy. Only 14% of applicants will receive acceptance letters, but 76% of these students will go on to attend. Their motto is Duty • Honor • Country. The entire site of the school is a national landmark and includes historic sites, a museum, and more.
Location
West Point, NY
Institution Type
Public
Student Enrollment
4,393
Located right on the Hudson River a few minutes from New York City, Stevens Institute of Technology receives around 14,000 applications each year. About 43% of those applicants will be accepted. The school is classified as "Doctoral/Research Universities--Intensive" and top majors for students include Computer Science, Systems Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering.
Location
Hoboken, NJ
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
9,314
Bentley University, founded in 1917, is a leader in business education. The school receives around 10,500 applications each year and about 48% of those applicants will be accepted. An impressive 79% of students will graduate within 4 years. The most popular majors for graduates of Bentley include Business Administration and Management, Finance, Business, Management, and Marketing.
Location
Waltham, MA
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
5,165
Bucknell University was founded in 1846 and has a proud tradition of fostering diversity and inclusion. While 3,750 of students are undergraduate students, they do have a small population of graduate students as well. Students enjoy a cozy 9 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio. Bucknell has 740 student athletes competing in sports and is in the NCAA Division 1-FCS.
Location
Lewisburg, PA
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
3,787
Yeshiva University, a Research University in Manhattan, has four schools that make up the undergraduate program: Yeshiva College, Stern College for Women, Katz School of Science and Health, and Syms School of Business. Campuses, buildings, and facilities can also be found in other NYC boroughs and in Israel.
Location
New York, NY
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
6,056
Providence College was founded in 1917 and was also a founding member of the original Big East Conference. The college offers over 45 undergraduate majors to students, and many will go on to major in Business Administration and Management, Finance, Marketing/Marketing Management, Biology/Biological Sciences, and Psychology.
Location
Providence, RI
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
4,473
Fairfield University receives around 15,500 applications each year and about 45% of those applicants will be accepted. Composed of 5 different schools, the most popular majors among students are Registered Nursing, Accounting, and Finance. There are 35 buildings on campus, including 3 manor houses that were on the original estates.
Location
Fairfield, CT
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
6,019
Gonzaga University’s campus is on 152 acres right alongside the Spokane River. A Catholic University, the school is named after the Jesuit saint Aloysius Gonzaga. The university accepts 76% of applicants and has a solid 93% first year retention rate. 87% of students will go on to graduate within six years. Part of the West Coast Conference, top varsity sports include Basketball, Soccer, and Baseball.
Location
Spokane, WA
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
7,253
Celebrating over 200 years, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a Doctoral/Research school. RPI offers over 140 programs, many focused in the area of STEM. Top majors for students include Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace, and Astronautical/Space Engineering. Over 90% of students who attend will receive grant aid.
Location
Troy, NY
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
6,968
Is a Mid-Sized College Right for You?
Mid-sized colleges offer the best of both worlds to students. Those who attend can take advantage of the support large universities and colleges tend to offer while also getting the experience of a personalized education.
They’re likely to have:
- More extracurriculars and majors than smaller schools.
- Smaller class sizes than large schools due to their smaller body. This can be great for students who want to take full advantage of student life, but need more intimate classes for academic success.
- Amazing networking opportunities – something that could be lacking at small colleges and overwhelming at large ones.
- A good selection of academic programs available to undergraduates.
If a happy medium in class sizes, opportunities, and education experiences sounds right for you, it may be time to apply to a mid-sized college to earn your bachelor’s degree. Use this best mid-sized colleges list as a jumping off point in making your own “best colleges” list.
Methodology
Colleges are ranked based on a combination of factors, including graduation rates, campus diversity, endowment per student, and other data as reported via the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) for the most recently available enrollment year. Some colleges may have been excluded from rankings based on certain criteria, including specialization and classification. Learn about our full methodology.
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