Why a Women’s College?

Mount Holyoke prepares women for leadership in all fields and on all continents. In 1837, we pioneered higher education for women and now, in the twenty-first century, we continue to set the standard for educating and inspiring women who make history.

In the landscape of higher education, being a women’s college is not the norm. That’s OK with us. Mount Holyoke was an anomaly in 1837, and we have remained a women’s college by choice. We know that women thrive in an environment where all the resources are designed for and dedicated to them.

Students at women’s colleges are more likely to:

  • seek academic challenges;
  • participate in campus life; and
  • assume leadership roles.

Furthermore, students who graduate from women’s colleges are twice as likely to earn an advanced degree.

Research

Research confirms other advantages, too. A recent study by Indiana University’s Center for Postsecondary Research found that far more students at women’s colleges reported having regular interaction with faculty members than those at coed institutions. They also reported with greater frequency that their colleges helped them learn more about themselves, hone their quantitative analysis skills, and develop a desire to help their communities.

View findings on the long-term impact of the women’s college experience »

Commitment

Mount Holyoke is committed to the success of its students. That’s why we offer the most rigorous academics and maintain cutting-edge facilities. It’s why we develop experiential learning and facilitate internships both in the community and across the globe. It’s why we connect students with female mentors and role models, both through our distinguished faculty and the College’s vast network of accomplished alumnae. 

Success

These are just some of the reasons why Mount Holyoke College stands out. Our graduates do the same. They stand out, speak out, and lead the way—in boardrooms, courtrooms, laboratories, halls of government, and every profession. Some make headlines; all make a difference.