Earlham College

earlham college niche

Close-Knit, Quaker Liberal Arts Education at Earlham

Earlham College appears in our ranking of 30 Affordable Colleges with the Best Study Abroad Programs.

Recognized for The Princeton Review’s 20th most active students, Earlham College builds on its EPIC Curriculum with 32 bachelor’s and five master’s majors in east-central Indiana for 83 percent retention at a 10:1 learner-faculty ratio. For example, the International Studies BA builds a 120-credit, HLC-accredited sequence on global leadership with the New Zealand or Greece Semester plus participation in the Model United Nations Competition. Chaired by Dr. Jamey Pavey, the 120-credit Environmental Sustainability BA engages climate change activists in the seven-week August Wilderness trip and Miller Farm Sustainable Agriculture projects. The Sociology BA blends 120 Richmond credits like Ethnographic Research with 180+ hours of internship placements, such as Exodus Refugee Immigration, Amigos Latino Center, and the Children’s Museum. On Moodle, the Religion MA follows a 48-credit, ATS-accredited sequence of online Quaker courses plus three two-week campus intensives each year and the Traveling Ministries Program. Other Earlham paths include the Computer Science BA, Comparative Linguistics BA, Music BA, Public Policy BA, Economics BA, Classical Studies BA, Francophone Studies BA, and Teaching MA.

About Earlham College

Earlham College was established on June 6, 1847, when the Northwest Territory’s Society of Friends appointed minister Barnabas C. Hobbs to lead a boarding high school. Notably, it created Indiana’s oldest natural history collection in 1853 at Joseph Moore Museum. In 1859, it became the world’s first coed Quaker college with post-secondary academics added. Six years later, Earlham adopted a religious tolerance policy to admit non-Quakers. In 1890, strict Quaker rules were relaxed for a liberal arts and music curriculum that still emphasized peace. During the 1940s, Earlham College safeguarded dozens of Japanese immigrants from internment. In 1960, its School of Religion opened as the Society’s first accredited seminary. Budgeting $50 million, Earlham College now serves 1,060 Quakers from 77 countries online and at the 28-building Wayne Township campus with 55 clubs like Dance Alloy.

The U.S. News & World Report ranked Earlham the 81st best national liberal arts school, 22nd best undergrad educator, and 14th top value college. On Niche, Earlham boasts America’s 19th most diversity, 72nd best Christian education, 85th top international relations program, and 111th best art degrees. Times Higher Education placed Earlham College 257th overall. Forbes distinguished Earlham the 175th best private university and 53rd top Midwest choice. In 2012, author Peter Arango included Earlham in his America’s Best Kept College Secrets. College Factual honored Earlham for the 144th best price, 152nd most location diversity, 26th best geology program, and 10th top sociology major. Money magazine positioned Earlham College 524th with median PayScale salary potential of $94,600. The Institute of International Education also crowned Earlham the 34th best baccalaureate school.

Earlham College College Accreditation Details

On May 12, 2014, the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association’s (HLC-NCA) Institutional Actions Council voted to formally extend the Level III accreditation at Earlham College through 2024 under its 19th President Avis Stewart, who earned the Sagamore of the Wabash Award. Located 275 miles up Route 31 in Chicago, this mammoth 19-state Upper Midwest accreditor is approved by the U.S. Department of Education and Indiana Commission on Higher Education. The Earlham School of Region was reaffirmed by the Commission on Accrediting for the Association of Theological Schools (ATS) for Quaker ministry in 2016. On September 24, 2018, the Chemistry Department also announced seven-year accreditation from the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB).

Earlham College Application Requirements

Enrolling at Earlham College is deemed “very difficult” by Peterson’s because just 1,452 of the 2,799 Fall 2017 applicants were victorious for competitive 52 percent acceptance. First-year Quakers must culminate a 15-unit, college-prep high school curriculum or reach the 2250 GED composite mark. Foreign language, studio art, and social studies experience is desirable. On average, freshmen present a 3.69 GPA, 1295 SAT, and 27 ACT figure. Using the “test optional” method generally requires ranking in the top third of one’s class. Bachelor’s transfers should hold between 12-75 accredited credits graded “C” or greater. Earning College Honors requires a minimum 3.4 GPA overall. Non-native English speakers need a minimum 400 SAT Reading, 20 ACT Reading, or 80 TOEFL iBT score. The Graduate Programs in Education start 10-25 baccalaureate holders each Summer with zero GPA stipulations. Prospective ESR students must be Religious Society of Friends members with four-year degrees and “B” averages.

Earlham College set freshman deadlines of November 1st for Early Decision, December 1st for Early Action, and February 15th for Regular Decision. Transfer undergrads must pay enrollment deposits before May 15th for Fall and December 15th for Spring. International students should file by March 15th or November 1st respectively. The Earlham School of Religion considers post-grads until April 19th, July 1st, and July 29th. Education master’s entrants should leave 4+ weeks before the June 5th start for processing. The Common Application, Universal College Application, and Earlham Application are accepted online for $35. Official transcripts go to 801 National Road West in Richmond, IN 47374. For testing, apply SAT code 1195 or ACT code 1186. Other attachments include the evaluator form, personal statement, college report, financial affidavit, background check, writing sample, and teacher certification. Please contact (765) 983-1698 or [email protected] for more.

Tuition and Financial Aid

For 2018-19, Earlham College has charged full-time undergrads $22,750 per term or $45,500 annually. All Bachelor of Arts programs incur $950 in mandatory fees each year. Living at the Richmond campus’ dorms like Hoerner Hall adds $5,500 for yearly housing. The 19-Meal Plan for Quaker Grill or Cafe 1847 is $4,900 extra. Earlham budgets $1,000 for texts, $1,050 for personal expenses, and $1,600 for travel. Annual bachelor’s attendance equals around $58,670 on-site and $48,750 with parents. The School of Religion bills master’s majors $583 per credit or $1,749 by course. Full-time courseloads of 27 credits cost $15,741. Add-ons include the $200 MA continuing research fee, $100 technology fee, and $125 registration fee per session.

According to the NCES College Navigator, the Office of Financial Aid in Tyler Hall connects 94 percent of Earlham Quakers to $33.59 million combined for individual packages averaging $34,672. Institutional funds include the Anna Eves Endowed Scholarship, David Boren Memorial Scholarship, Howard Alexander Prize, Florence Long Mathematics Award, Kendall-Reagan English Award, Orville Wilkinson Merit Scholarship, Ruth Anna Wright Browning Scholarship, Christine Clem Enslein Scholarship, Hoai Nam Endowed Scholarship, and Stanley Barker Scholarship. The $2,500 Carleton B. Edwards Scholarship has a February 21st deadline for Chemistry BA majors. The Rariden Scholars Program presents up to $20,000 for Indiana residents pursuing performing arts. Students selected for the Quaker Fellows Program receive $2,500 annually for 140+ annual service hours. Federal Pell Grant, SEOG Grant, Direct Loan, and Work-Study opportunities are unlocked with FAFSA forms coded 001793. The Indiana Student Assistance Commission also has programs like the Freedom of Choice Award and Frank O’Bannon Grant.

Search through five accredited divisions featuring the EPIC Advantage at the Earlham College website.