Best Women’s Colleges in 2023
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With over 10 million women enrolled at higher education institutions — accounting for nearly 60% of all students enrolled — women's colleges offer academic opportunities such as small class sizes and inclusive communities.
Women's colleges prioritize the enrollment of women to provide a unique educational experience for women pursuing higher education nationwide. These schools offer academic opportunities such as small class sizes and inclusive communities.
Women's colleges emerged when most colleges and universities barred women from enrolling.
The Women's College Coalition reports that today, about 5% of women college students attend women's colleges. Women's colleges in the U.S. account for a small section of expanding higher education options.
Dr. Gretchen Edwalds-Gilberts, acting vice president for academic affairs and dean of faculty at Scripps College, said, "Women's colleges afford students a supportive, academically rigorous environment that allows them to develop as leaders in curricular and co-curricular areas."
What Is a Women's College?
Many women's colleges are liberal arts institutions focusing on educational pursuits such as creative arts, sociology, and literature.
The first women's college, Georgia's Wesleyan College, opened its doors in 1836. By 1960, 230 women's colleges offered higher education opportunities to women across the country. Since then, many women's colleges have closed their doors — leaving fewer than 50 women's colleges open today.
Over time, decreasing demand for single-gender institutions forced some women's colleges to change their educational focus. Others have changed their admissions policy by welcoming men and nonbinary students. Many institutions, including all on this list, have clarified their admission policies to include transgender women.
While some women's colleges experienced steady or increasing enrollment in recent decades, most encountered financial loss due to low enrollment. The Me Too movement and other political actions have helped increase applications to women's colleges, providing a much-needed boost for many institutions.
Elizabeth Dion, a senior theater and international studies double major at Hollins University, said, "I personally wasn't looking explicitly for a women's college during my college search. I just happened to stumble upon Hollins and felt immediately drawn to it, but I am so glad I did find my historically women's college because I don't know who I'd be without it."
Women's colleges offer a unique experience that many women find academically, socially, and financially beneficial. This guide lists some of the top women's colleges in the United States using various ranking criteria. It can help you decide which college might be the best for you.
2023 Best Women's Colleges
Rankings compiled by the BestColleges Ranking Team
How We Rank Schools
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Barnard College
New York, NY - 4 years
- Campus
Barnard College was founded as a private institution in 1889. Over 2,600 students attend Barnard College on its New York City campus. Barnard partners with Columbia University, allowing students to enroll in courses, compete in athletics, and receive a diploma from both institutions.
Seventy-two percent of Barnard classes have fewer than 19 students. Some of Barnard's most popular degree programs include political science, art history, psychology, and literature.
Barnard's alumni network connects current students to mentorship programming in support of ongoing academic achievement. Greta Gerwig, Zora Neale Hurston, and Martha Stewart are among Barnard's most notable alumni.
ROI Value Score: Medium
We’ve reviewed hundreds of schools to find the ones that give you the best bang for your buck.
We compared how much you could earn in 10 years with a degree from this school versus only having a high school diploma. Then we compared that amount against school costs and financial aid opportunities. A higher return for your investment results in a higher score for this school.
Wellesley College
Wellesley, MA - 4 years
- Campus
Wellesley College, located in Massachusetts, was founded in 1870. Wellesley is a private liberal arts college enrolling about 2,400 students. Class sizes average 17-20 students.
Wellesley holds a 94% graduation rate, and you can choose from over 50 majors. The study abroad and intercollegiate exchange programs invite you to participate in unique learning opportunities overseas and worldwide.
Some of Wellesley's most popular academic programs include psychology, political science, and economics. The Albright Institute and the Wellesley Fund invest in women's academic achievements on campus and worldwide. Hillary Clinton, Nora Ephron, and Madeleine Albright are among Wellesley's most notable graduates.
ROI Value Score: Low
We’ve reviewed hundreds of schools to find the ones that give you the best bang for your buck.
We compared how much you could earn in 10 years with a degree from this school versus only having a high school diploma. Then we compared that amount against school costs and financial aid opportunities. A higher return for your investment results in a higher score for this school.
Bryn Mawr College
Bryn Mawr, PA - 4 years
- Campus
Bryn Mawr College, located in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, was founded in 1885. The school enrolls more than 1,600 students with an 8-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio.
Bryn Mawr offers over 35 undergraduate programs and graduate degrees in social work, social research, and the arts and sciences. Popular undergraduate programs include psychology, political science, mathematics, and literature.
Bryn Mawr supports students' academic achievements by partnering with Haverford College, Swarthmore College, and the University of Pennsylvania. The school's Q Project focuses on the development of quantitative skills, enhancing the experiential learning practices of many courses. Katharine Hepburn and Maggie Siff are among Bryn Mawr's most notable alumni.
ROI Value Score: Low
We’ve reviewed hundreds of schools to find the ones that give you the best bang for your buck.
We compared how much you could earn in 10 years with a degree from this school versus only having a high school diploma. Then we compared that amount against school costs and financial aid opportunities. A higher return for your investment results in a higher score for this school.
Smith College
Northampton, MA - 4 years
- Campus
Smith College, founded in 1871, is located in Northampton, Massachusetts. As one of the largest women's colleges in the country, Smith enrolls more than 2,000 students each year.
Smith College is a member of the Five College Consortium, increasing course offerings for students. Smith offers over 50 academic programs and has an average class size of 19 students.
Some of Smith's most popular academic programs include biology, computer science, engineering, literature, and political science. The school's honors programming, disability services, and the Spinelli Center for Quantitative Learning support and invest in students' academic achievements.
Julia Child, Sylvia Plath, and Gloria Steinem are some of the notable figures who graduated from Smith College.
ROI Value Score: Low
We’ve reviewed hundreds of schools to find the ones that give you the best bang for your buck.
We compared how much you could earn in 10 years with a degree from this school versus only having a high school diploma. Then we compared that amount against school costs and financial aid opportunities. A higher return for your investment results in a higher score for this school.
Scripps College
Claremont, CA - 4 years
- Campus
Scripps College was founded in 1926. Scripps is a private institution with over 100 full-time faculty members. The Claremont, California campus enrolls about 1,000 women majoring in over 65 disciplines.
The average class size at Scripps College is 16 students. The most popular majors at Scripps College include biology, social sciences, and communications.
Scripps College is the only women's college member of the Claremont Colleges consortium — seven private institutions providing academic support and an on-campus community.
The Laspa Center for Leadership provides experiential learning courses, fellowships, grants, and awards to Scripps students to support their academic achievement. Some of Scripps' most notable alumni include Gabrielle Giffords and Beth Nolan.
ROI Value Score: Low
We’ve reviewed hundreds of schools to find the ones that give you the best bang for your buck.
We compared how much you could earn in 10 years with a degree from this school versus only having a high school diploma. Then we compared that amount against school costs and financial aid opportunities. A higher return for your investment results in a higher score for this school.
Mount Holyoke College
South Hadley, MA - 4 years
- Campus
Mount Holyoke College is located in South Hadley, Massachusetts. Founded in 1837, Mount Holyoke College enrolls about 2,200 undergrad students. About 70% of classes at the school average less than 20 students.
Economics, environmental studies, literature, and computer science are among the most popular of the 48 academic programs at Mount Holyoke. Women's academic achievement is prioritized through social activism, global leadership programs, and dedication to STEM learning.
Emily Dickinson, Chloe Zhao, and Elaine Chao are noted as some of the most notable alumni of Mount Holyoke College.
ROI Value Score: Low
We’ve reviewed hundreds of schools to find the ones that give you the best bang for your buck.
We compared how much you could earn in 10 years with a degree from this school versus only having a high school diploma. Then we compared that amount against school costs and financial aid opportunities. A higher return for your investment results in a higher score for this school.
College of Saint Benedict
Saint Joseph, MN - 4 years
- Campus
The College of Saint Benedict was founded in 1857 to support historically excluded and disenfranchised women. The private women's college is located in Saint Joseph, Minnesota.
The average class size at CSB is 19 students. Some popular academic programs at the school are business administration, biology, registered nursing, and psychology.
Both CSB's retention and graduation rates are 85%, and nearly all students receive a financial aid package upon acceptance. In support of women's academic pursuits, CSB seeks to end structural inequities and promote purposeful learning through an integrated curriculum model.
ROI Value Score: Low
We’ve reviewed hundreds of schools to find the ones that give you the best bang for your buck.
We compared how much you could earn in 10 years with a degree from this school versus only having a high school diploma. Then we compared that amount against school costs and financial aid opportunities. A higher return for your investment results in a higher score for this school.
Simmons University
Boston, MA - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Simmons University was founded in 1899 and is located in Boston, Massachusetts. More than 4,500 students attend Simmons University, with 100% of first-year students receiving financial aid packages.
In over 60 academic programs of study, Simmons offers an average class size of 13 students. Some popular programs include kinesiology, registered nursing, and communications.
Simmons' investment in women's academic achievement is seen in its expansion, growing to include more academic programs and leadership initiatives. Some of the most notable Simmons alumni include Gwen Ifill and Margaret Murie.
ROI Value Score: Medium
We’ve reviewed hundreds of schools to find the ones that give you the best bang for your buck.
We compared how much you could earn in 10 years with a degree from this school versus only having a high school diploma. Then we compared that amount against school costs and financial aid opportunities. A higher return for your investment results in a higher score for this school.
Spelman College
Atlanta, GA - 4 years
- Campus
Spelman College, one of the oldest historically Black colleges for women, was founded in 1881. Spelman is located in Atlanta, Georgia and enrolls over 2,000 students.
The school has an 11-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio. Popular academic programs include health services, political science, psychology, and biology.
To showcase its investment in women's academic achievement, Spelman offers fellowship awards, study abroad programs, and innovative STEM resources. Notable Spelman alumni include Stacey Abrams, Alice Walker, and Keshia Knight Pulliam.
ROI Value Score: Medium
We’ve reviewed hundreds of schools to find the ones that give you the best bang for your buck.
We compared how much you could earn in 10 years with a degree from this school versus only having a high school diploma. Then we compared that amount against school costs and financial aid opportunities. A higher return for your investment results in a higher score for this school.
College of Saint Mary
Omaha, NE - 4 years
- Online + Campus
College of Saint Mary, founded in 1923, is a private Catholic university. The school prides itself on service learning, offering over 100 opportunities for students to learn how to serve others. Built on a foundation of faith-based education, College of Saint Mary enrolls 850 students in 25 majors.
The college is located in Omaha, Nebraska and is the only women's college in the city. All first-time, full-time students receive 100% financial aid or scholarship funding to attend the school.
College of Saint Mary is home to the only four-year, American Bar Association approved paralegal program in the state. With classes taught only by licensed attorneys, the associate paralegal and post-baccalaureate programs are a stand-out for paralegal and pre-law students.
ROI Value Score: Medium
We’ve reviewed hundreds of schools to find the ones that give you the best bang for your buck.
We compared how much you could earn in 10 years with a degree from this school versus only having a high school diploma. Then we compared that amount against school costs and financial aid opportunities. A higher return for your investment results in a higher score for this school.
Frequently Asked Questions About Women's Colleges
What is the most prestigious women's college?
The most prestigious women's colleges are highly ranked schools based on criteria like graduation and retention rates. Wellesley College, Barnard College, and Scripps College rank as some of the top women's colleges in the country. Wellesley has the highest graduation and retention rates of all women's colleges.
Barnard College, in partnership with Columbia University, offers students an expanse of academic courses and high graduation rates. Scripps College also boasts a high graduation rate.
Why do women's colleges exist?
Women's colleges were founded to provide women with higher education opportunities during a time when women were barred from institutions nationwide.
During the 19th century, hundreds of women's colleges opened, creating a variety of educational opportunities for women. Today, women's colleges continue to offer a unique educational experience, often with a focus on liberal arts.
What was the first college to admit women?
Oberlin College, located in Ohio, was the first higher education institution to admit women. The school was a coed institution from its founding in 1833. Oberlin was also the first college to admit Black students into its programs. Wesleyan College, founded in 1836, was the first women's college to open — dedicated specifically to educating women.
Are all women's colleges private?
Women's colleges — schools that entirely or almost entirely enroll women — are typically private higher education schools. These undergraduate institutions often focus on liberal arts studies.
Many private women's colleges collaborate with coed institutions to expand their student offerings.
Featuring:
Gretchen Edwalds-Gilbert, PhD
Gretchen Edwalds-Gilbert is Acting Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of Faculty at Scripps College, a women's college in Claremont California.
She is a molecular biologist who completed her PhD at the Weill Medical College of Cornell University and did postdoctoral research at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and the Beckman Research Institute at City of Hope in Duarte, California. Edwalds-Gilbert is a member of the Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR) and serves as a CUR Councilor for the Biology Division. In her own molecular biology lab, she has supervised more than 65 undergraduates and is a champion of increasing the number of underrepresented students in science. She is a National Science Foundation grantee, focusing on the regulation of gene expression under stress response, and she has received funding from the Keck Foundation and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, among others. She was a Fulbright Scholar at the University of Warsaw Institute of Genetics and Biotechnology throughout the 2018–2019 academic year.
Elizabeth Dion
Elizabeth Dion (she/they) is a senior theatre and international studies double major at Hollins University. They are heavily involved in student leadership positions and extracurriculars on campus such as serving as the president of the Hollins Student Theatre Association, Lead Admissions Ambassador, Student Success Leader, stage manager, and Orientation Team Leader.
