Living Large at a Small College

As you consider your college options, you’re likely to research major offerings, athletic and performing arts opportunities, financial aid, residence life and student amenities. But what about the size of the college you’re interested in? The differences between a tight-knit college community and a large university play a significant role in your educational experience. Here are just a few perks of attending a small college where you’ll be known by your name instead of just a number.

Hi, my name is … 
Attending a college of 3,000 students or less increases your chances of introducing yourself and being remembered later. Instead of blending into the background of a crowded lecture hall, you’ll take classes with fewer students—giving you the opportunity to learn your classmates’ names and actively participate in discussions. Manageable class sizes also enable professors to develop relationships with their students, making them more likely to meet outside of class to offer advice and answer questions. And since they’ll know you well, profs will be able to write specific, meaningful letters of recommendation for you as you apply for jobs or graduate programs.

What do students love most about Northwestern College? Belonging to a community and learning from professors who genuinely care about their success. With a student-faculty ratio of 15:1, students describe their classes as “1:1 tutoring in a classroom setting.”  

Familiar faces 
A small campus environment will soon be filled with familiar faces—many of whom you’ll know by name. As you become more involved in your program of study, you might find yourself in classes with the same professor or groups of students. Learning in this kind of community can lead to deeper class discussions and a strong network of connections to draw upon as you launch your career. Smaller colleges also tend to be more intentional about building community in the dorms, so you’ll get to know the people you live with beyond just sharing living space.

At Northwestern, dorms are not exclusive to freshmen. In fact, many upperclassmen choose to live in the dorms after their freshman year, forming relationships with students across class years.  

Small-town hospitality 
For students seeking a “home away from home,” the bustle of a big city can’t compare to a supportive college community and some down-home hospitality. Small-town colleges are usually located in rural or suburban areas where residents love to cheer for their local teams, attend college concerts and theatre productions, and host students for home-cooked meals.

It’s not uncommon for Northwestern professors to meet students for coffee or invite them into their homes for a meal. They—along with members of the Orange City community—are committed to helping students thrive in the college environment by providing support and mentorship as students launch into adulthood.

Flexible programming 
Another benefit of attending a small college is having greater freedom to design the course of study that is right for you. If you have more than one academic interest, your adviser may be able to work with other departments to waive or substitute certain course requirements so you can pursue multiple paths of study—or develop your own interdisciplinary major—and still graduate on time. With less competition for spots in a class, it will also be easier to take the classes you need when you need them.

Meet a Northwestern College quadruple-major graduate. Strong communication across departments helped Isaiah find success as a biology-health professions, chemistry, business-finance and economics major.

Encouraging your interests 
Because of the strong sense of community on a smaller campus, faculty, music/theatre directors and coaches are better equipped to communicate with each other and accommodate your diverse interests. If you’re a gifted athlete, coaches may offer you the flexibility to split your time between two varsity sports. Professors will support your pursuits in the performing arts, helping you make up the classwork you miss while touring with the band or rehearsing for a show. Unlike large universities where students commit to a single activity, Northwestern students are putting their God-given talents to work across campus—often at the encouragement of faculty and staff.

If you’re looking for a college that will both support and challenge you, consider attending Northwestern College in Orange City, Iowa. Our campus community will value your unique gifts and encourage you in the pursuit of your goals. Visit campus to find out why 9 in 10 freshmen feel a sense of belonging after just a few weeks.