Complete List: The Smallest Colleges in the United States

You might be interested in

going to a small college

, but just how small is “small,” exactly? In general,

schools that are considered “small” have fewer than 5,000 students in total.

However, quite a few schools are actually at least 10 times smaller than this!

In this article I’ll describe the characteristics of small colleges and then provide a list of the smallest colleges in the nation by category. That way you can decide if going to a small school really is the right decision for you.

List of the Smallest Colleges in the US

These are the smallest four-year, non-profit colleges in the nation sorted by type and enrollment number. This list includes schools with

fewer than 500 students but more than 50 students

because colleges with fewer than 50 students are extremely rare and not relevant to enough students to merit inclusion.

All enrollment data is from

the College Board’s Big Future website

.

Smallest Arts Colleges

College	Enrollment
VanderCook College of Music	73
Visible Music College	137
Watkins College of Art, Design & Film	146
Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts	164
San Francisco Conservatory of Music	205
American Academy of Art	205
San Francisco Art Institute	210
Art Academy of Cincinnati	212
Cleveland Institute of Music	230
Pennsylvania College of Art and Design	251
Johns Hopkins University—Peabody Conservatory of Music	265
School of the Museum of Fine Arts	278
New Hampshire Institute of Art	282
New York School of Interior Design	349
Moore College of Art and Design	373
New England Conservatory of Music	471
Juilliard School	486
Pacific Northwest College of Art	488
Manhattan School of Music	490

Smallest Religious Colleges

For this list, I’ve focused on colleges that

primarily identify as seminaries or Bible colleges

. Also, I’ve excluded religious colleges that only train religious professionals because they are

too specialized for most people.

College	Enrollment
Mount Angel Seminary	51
Allegheny Wesleyan College	54
Faith International University	54
St. Charles Borromeo Seminary—Overbrook	56
Heritage Christian University	61
Southern California Seminary	62
Kentucky Mountain Bible College	64
Hellenic College/Holy Cross	67
Baptist Missionary Association Theological Seminary	67
Catholic Distance University	72
St. Louis Christian College	76
Beth Hamedrash Shaarei Yosher Institute	80
Yeshiva Derech Chaim	84
New Hope Christian College	87
Conception Seminary College	95
Clear Creek Baptist Bible College	98
Montana Bible College	100
Beis Medrash Heichal Dovid	103
Huntsville Bible College	118
Southwestern Christian College	123
Yeshiva Karlin Stolin	128
Talmudical Yeshiva of Philadelphia	130
Nebraska Christian College	130
Yeshivas Novominsk	130
Boise Bible College	135
Yeshiva Ohr Elchonon Chabad (West Coast Talmudical Seminary)	144
Veritas Baptist College	151
Baptist University of the Americas	152
Arlington Baptist University	162
Yeshiva Gedolah Imrei Yosef	164
Holy Apostles College and Seminary	174
Manhattan Christian College	174
Criswell College	178
Central Christian College of the Bible	186
Mid-Atlantic Christian University	186
Davis College	188
Appalachian Bible College	189
Trinity Bible College	190
Dallas Christian College	194
Barclay College	198
Emmaus Bible College	203
Ecclesia College	205
Trinity College of Florida	209
Faith Baptist Bible College and Theological Seminary	222
Beulah Heights University	237
Holy Family College	265
Calvary University	267
Welch College	290
Luther Rice College and Seminary	293
Baptist College of Florida	296
Grace Christian University	296
Northpoint Bible College	322
Trinity Baptist College	335
Piedmont International University	348
Multnomah University	362
College of Biblical Studies—Houston	374
Lincoln Christian University	398
The King’s University	398
Nazarene Bible College	428
San Diego Christian College	460
Christendom College	493

Smallest Engineering, Medical, and Other Professional Colleges

College	Enrollment
Northwestern Polytechnic University	52
Lincoln University	98
Webb Institute	102
Rush University	110
Columbia College of Nursing	116
St. John’s College	119
Lakeview College of Nursing	148
Trinity College of Nursing and Health	163
Bastyr University	169
Northwestern Health Sciences University	175
California Northstate University College of Health Sciences	179
Logan University	179
Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science	184
Saint Anthony College of Nursing	202
Southern California Institute of Architecture	235
Blessing-Rieman College of Nursing & Health Sciences	247
St. Francis Medical Center College of Nursing	320
Allen College	338
Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering	347
Bellin College	381
Roseman University of Health Sciences	385
Capitol Technology University	391
Cabarrus College of Health Sciences	437
Pacific Oaks College	476
Harrisburg University of Science and Technology	478
Saint Luke’s College of Health Sciences	490
Touro University Worldwide	497

Smallest Liberal Arts Colleges

All the colleges on this list offer a variety of degrees and a

complete liberal arts education

(but note that some of these schools are religiously affiliated).

College	Enrollment
California Institute of Integral Studies	69
American Jewish University	67
Thomas More College of Liberal Arts	90
Antioch College	95
Bryn Athyn College	99
Antioch University Santa Barbara	104
Sterling College	119
Kuyper College	135
St. John’s College	144
University of the West	145
Medaille College—Rochester	145
New Saint Andrews College	145
Marlboro College	146
Jewish Theological Seminary of America	147
Bay Atlantic University	150
Iowa Wesleyan University	156
Alliant International University	158
Goddard College	160
Johnson University—Florida	182
Amberton University	187
Doral College	194
College of St. Joseph in Vermont	237
Bethesda University of California	244
Judson College	245
Pine Manor College	246
Maharishi University of Management	255
Cottey College	256
Alaska Pacific University	266
John Paul the Great Catholic University	271
Ohio Valley University	280
Patrick Henry College	290
Randall University	291
Penn State Shenango	306
Selma University	311
Aquinas College	312
St. John’s College	317
Sweet Briar College	334
Silver Lake College of the Holy Family	346
College of the Atlantic	350
Sierra Nevada College	350
Southern Vermont College	351
Penn State—Wilkes-Barre	366
Naropa University	370
Bard College at Simon’s Rock	391
Principia College	402
Soka University of America	406
Wells College	407
Beacon College	416
York College	422
SUM Bible College & Theological Seminary	431
University of the Southwest	432
Penn State Greater Allegheny	433
University of Maine at Machias	434
Bennett College for Women	435
Thomas Aquinas	439
Paine College	440
Catawba College	445
Bethel College	450
Prescott College	465
St. John’s College	474
Warner Pacific University	478
Blackburn College	480
Stephens College	481
Urbana University	482
Brewton-Parker College	491
Eureka College	498
Golden Gate University	499

Why Are These Schools So Small? 3 Big Reasons

It might seem unorthodox for the enrollment of an entire college to be the same size as your high school class (or even smaller!). Though definitely uncommon, these schools usually have a solid rationale for keeping their student bodies so tiny.

There are three major reasons these colleges are particularly small

Reason #1: Extremely Specialized Curriculum

Often, small colleges have a

very specialized


curriculum that caters to a narrow demographic of students.

Many of the smallest colleges are religiously affiliated, specialized art schools, or professional schools.

The smallest liberal arts colleges usually have a curriculum that emphasizes unique modes of learning. For example,

some of these schools have a “Great Books” curriculum,

meaning that all students must read a collection of classic texts as part of the college’s universal academic requirements. If you’re looking for an outside-the-box college experience, then a small school could be a perfect choice for you.

Reason #2: Spin-Offs of Larger Universities

Some of these schools were once part of larger universities and then

branched off to form their own communities.

Sometimes this happens when a university system shrinks. Smaller schools that were once affiliated with the flagship university have the option to become independently-functioning entities.

This can also happen if a school no longer fits with the larger campus. They may have developed new types of classes, or perhaps they want to serve a different portion of the student population.

Regardless of the reason why, this legacy goes along with small schools’ tendency to be more specialized and attract a much smaller group of prospective students.

Reason #3: Dedication to Personalizing the Academic Experience

Small schools are often committed to restricting class sizes in order to give each student individualized attention. Often,

students can design their own curricula and access a level of guidance and support from professors and advisors that’s unheard of at larger institutions.

At small universities, students frequently collaborate with professors and are asked to give self-evaluations.

Tiny schools treat the college experience as an evolving dialogue between students, their teachers, and their communities.

This enables them to focus less on grades and more on learning as an ongoing interactive process.

In fact,

some small schools don’t assign course grades at all

!

Small colleges tend to be unique…which means that each student will have a unique collegiate experience, too!

What Is the Tiny College Experience Like?

So you can get a sense of what the smallest schools are actually like,

I’ve compiled a few student testimonials

that provide perspective on the pros and cons of attending these colleges.

Thomas Aquinas College

“They create an

academic bubble of seclusion

, quite literally.” (

Source

)

“The rules are a bit extreme, and never think that someone is not watching. At a school this small,

everything gets out in the open.”

(

Source

)

“I admit that

this school does wonders with the mind.

Thomas Aquinas delves into critical thinking and reading beyond the text.” (

Source

)

Thomas Aquinas College, Santa Paula California

(

Harold Litwiler

/Flickr)

Marlboro College

“Marlboro is

the best place for independent students

who want to take a serious role in the pursuit of their education.” (

Source

)

“Marlboro does not have class requirements, [so]

each student creates a course of study based on their interests and aspirations.”

(

Source

)

“Marlboro College classes expect serious work ethic. Class sizes are small, so

sleeping in and missing your 8 AM is not an option

if you think your professor won’t notice.” (

Source

)

Marlboro College

New York School of Interior Design

“It’s a good school but small.

The classes get canceled sometimes because of under-attendance. Tuition is too high!” (

Source

)

“NYSID offers a lot of opportunities outside of class for students, but they don’t have a better way of connecting with students outside of emails.

Focusing a career in interior design, my favorite experiences have happened outside of the classroom, being involved in organizations such as the Contract Club and IIDA Representative.

These experiences have proved invaluable in networking and meeting professionals in my field.” (

Source

)

As you can see from all of these school quotes,

the smallest colleges are often limited in their housing and dining options and campus activities.

However, they might be the right fit for students who are interested in a specific academic field or mode of learning. One benefit you can count on is

a close bond with professors and other students.

What’s Next?

If you’re just starting your college search,

you might not be sure whether a big or small college is the best choice for you.


Learn about the major differences between the two.

Another factor to consider in the college search process is

location.

Do you want to stay close to home or start over somewhere new?

Read this article to

find out if a college close to home is the right choice for you.

For more

advice on how to conduct your college search,

read my guide on

how to choose the best college for you

and my review of

the top 10 college search websites.