Studies show there are advantages to attending a single-sex college
If you are one of the many young women out there considering attending an all-girls school for college, I wouldn’t blame you. All of my friends that attended an all-girls school LOVED it. They not only enjoyed their four years, but also assert that the environment in which they were studying allowed them to focus more on their academic and career goals, leading to unbelievable job opportunities upon graduation.
The aforementioned assertion left me skeptical, but there is actual research claiming that “single-sex schools for females provide greater opportunity for educational attainment as measured by standardized cognitive tests, leadership behavior, etc”. Don’t take my word for it — read the study here.
There are a plethora of fantastic all-girls universities to choose from, making this top 10 quite a challenge to put together. Remember, just because a school does not make it into our top 10 doesn’t mean it wouldn’t be the perfect school for you. To discover your dream school, download our new FREE mobile app available on the App Store. Answer questions, get matched to schools, browse beautiful school profiles for more than 9,000 schools. We might be biased, but we think it’s great, it’s simple and it’s fun. Check it out here and then read this top 10.
10. Simmons College
Boston, Massachusetts
Simmons College of Boston kicks off our top 10. If you are seeking an education at a college exclusively for women but are looking to be in the heart of a major American city, then this is the school for you.
If you want to learn more about what it costs to go to Simmons, what your chances of getting in are, or just peruse more pics of this beautiful campus, check out Simmons’s profile on our free mobile app.
9. Mills College
Oakland, California
Our second college representing the state of California, Mills hails from Oakland, just across the bay from San Francisco. Mills offers an entirely women-only undergraduate program but a co-ed graduate program. Mills was originally established as a seminary before becoming a college, which explains why it looks more like a beautiful mansion/villa than a university campus.
8. Sweet Briar College
Sweet Briar, Virginia
Known for an outstanding equestrian program, highly engaged professors and career prospects, Sweet Briar’s secluded Virginia campus is a haven for women seeking a fantastic education.
7. Mount Holyoke
Amherst, Massachusetts
Mount Holyoke, the sister school of Smith College, is the oldest of the Seven Sister (the all-women equivalent to Ivy League schools). Mount Holyoke is known for its diverse student body, gorgeous architecture and prestige.
6. Bryn Mawr College
Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania
Bryn Mawr’s gorgeous campus is reminiscent of ancient castles from across the pond. In this gorgeous setting you would have no idea that your within a short train ride to the heart of Philadelphia. Bryn Mawr, like many of the schools on this list, is a small, selective liberal arts college.
5. Smith College
Amherst, Massachusetts
Smith College is known for its eccentric student body and is proud of its feminist heritage. The college is located in Amherst, a quaint new England town in western Massachusetts that is, surprisingly, quite the little college town. If you want to meet other college students (including men), UMass Amherst, Amherst College, Hampshire College and sister school Mount Holyoke — all of which add up to almost 30,000 college students. Smith actually allows you to take some of your classes at UMass or Mount Holyoke if you so choose.
4. Scripps College
Claremont, CA
Scripps College, a highly prestigious and incredibly gorgeous liberal arts college for women, kicks off our top 10. Located east of Los Angeles near Pomona, California, there is plenty to see and do in the area and the weather is always gorgeous.
Also, if you feel like you need some men in your life, there are multiple co-ed colleges in the area including the also-prestigious Pomona College.
3. Barnard College
New York, New York
Barnard College is celebrating 125 years in New York City. Barnard is another liberal arts school for women that boasts a Hogwarts-esque chapel, beautiful campus in NYC, and an incredibly picky admissions department (Barnard is really hard to get into…view your chances on our app…we promise that’s the last plug).
2. Spelman College
Atlanta, Georgia
One of the nation’s most renowned colleges, Spelman is a historically black college comprised entirely of women. Spelman is one of only two colleges on this list residing in the Southeast, so if you like hot weather, this should be on your short list!
1. Wellesley College
Wellesley, Massachusetts
Wellesley College is one of the nation’s top schools with a prestige that matches those of the Ivy League. Wellesley is another beautiful campus, but it stands out as a college that creates women in leadership. Notable alumni include Hillary Clinton.
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