Kalamazoo College

Ready to start your journey?

Average Rating: 58.7 Average Consensus: 69 Average Review: 76.8
No College Consensus
AVERAGE: 69
53.7
Publisher Consensus
AVERAGE: 58.7
No Student Consensus
AVERAGE: 76.8
Scores last updated on January 6, 2024
79%
Percent Admitted
72%
4-year Graduation Rate
1,210
Enrollment
10.0:1
Student-to-Faculty Ratio
$40,600
Average Undergraduate Students Aid
$56,562
In-State Tuition and Fees
$56,562
Out-of-State Tuition and Fees
= Average
Sector
Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above
Carnegie Classification
Baccalaureate Colleges: Arts & Sciences Focus
Religious Affiliation
Not applicable

Kalamazoo College is a private, 4-year school located in Kalamazoo, MI, in the southern part of the state just 45 miles east of Lake Michigan. The school was founded in 1833 by American Baptist ministers as Kalamazoo Literary Institute and is among the oldest colleges in the country. The school holds no religious affiliations today, although the Baptist history is acknowledged in many ways. After merging with the University of Michigan for 2 years, the Charter establishing the school as a college was granted and the name was changed to Kalamazoo College in 1850. The 60 acre campus is centered around a main quad which serves as host to many campus events. The buildings are primarily traditional collegiate red brick with an interspersing of contemporary architecture. Among notable alumni is Ty Warner, founder of Ty Inc. (the maker of Beanie Babies).

Academic Programs

Kalamazoo College is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission and offers Bachelor’s degrees in over 25 programs. The College consists of seven departments: Fine Arts, Humanities, Interdisciplinary, Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures, Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Physical Education and Social Sciences. The largest programs on campus are in Social Sciences, Bio/Bio-Medical Sciences and Business. The curriculum features the “K Plan” including rigorous academics combined with experiential learning abroad and in the local community. The Study Abroad program is robust and leads many students into organizations such as the Peace Corps. Per the Mission Statement, “The mission of Kalamazoo College is to prepare its graduates to better understand, live successfully within, and provide enlightened leadership to a richly diverse and increasingly complex world.” This is attached to the school Strategic Plan, which states that their history of innovation including ‘co-education in the early 19th century, the Fellowship of Learning in the early 20th, and the Kalamazoo Plan (K-Plan) in the early 1960s’ motivates the school to ‘not merely to be “distinctive” but because we know it is the right course for students today.’

Student Life

There are over 1,400 undergraduate students enrolled in Kalamazoo College, most of whom live on campus among the 6 residence halls, as well as “Living Learning Housing Units” and special housing options. The school sponsors over 70 clubs and student organizations, including club sports and intramurals. For the varsity athlete, the orange and black Hornets, led by Buzz, field teams in 11 sports and participate in NCAA Division III competition. The campus calendar features anticipated events such as Fall Fest, Pride Ball and the Day of Gracious Living. Students are swell-acquainted with the general Vision of Kalamazoo College: provide innovative education that provides students with the following: A learning-focused environment that integrates academic excellence, experiential education, and outstanding co-curricular experiences; A learning community that is residential, diverse, inclusive, student-focused, and comprehensively internationalized; Multiple experiences for global learning and leadership that include an in-depth education abroad experience; Outstanding preparation for life and leadership. The Kalamazoo College experience will help graduates become: Outstanding leaders; Responsible global citizens sensitized to intercultural and international diversity; Innovative problem solvers prepared to address the challenges of the future; Effective agents of transformational change; Engaged, ethical citizens; and Alumni who maintain life-long connections with the College.

Ready to start your journey?

Ready to start your journey?