•AVERAGE: 69
A small, Presbyterian USA-affiliated liberal arts college, Hastings College was founded in 1882 by a group of civic leaders hoping to bring the kind of prestigious, Christian higher education they had known back East to a young town in a young state: Hastings, NE. For well over a century, Hastings College has met that demand, providing Nebraska students with the highest-quality liberal arts education available. Today Hastings is still the only Presbyterian college in the state, and Hastings has earned a sound reputation, cited for many years by U.S. News & World Report and the Princeton Review as a top regional college in the Midwest, and earning recognition as a best buy for its quality and affordability.
Academic Programs
Hastings College’s curriculum is based around a traditional liberal arts model, with more than 60 undergraduate majors and a more than a dozen pre-professional programs like pre-law, actuarial science, and pharmacy. Hastings provides a deep grounding in the critical thought, problem-solving, and knowledge of the humanities, arts, and sciences, before immersing students in their majors. Hastings’ method works, too; in fact, in the 2015 graduating class, 97% had a job or had entered graduate school within 6 months.Hastings has also made top-notch experiential learning a centerpiece of its curriculum, including internships, undergraduate research, January term (dedicated to specialized courses), and service learning opportunities. These kinds of hands-on options are aided by a low 14:1 student/faculty ratio and a campus culture that encourages mentorship and leadership. Most classes have fewer than 20 students, and an elite faculty (from institutions like Yale, Duke, and Harvard), all of whom meet one-on-one with students, ensure that every Hastings student feels like the most important person on campus.
Student Life
Hastings, NE, is a small community ranked by USA Today as one of the top 20 college towns in America. This progressive Nebraska town of 25,000 is also central to student life at Hastings College, with a live music scene and frequent events. Students also take part in a vibrant on-campus scene, with more than 100 student-led organizations and clubs, including religious groups, professional organizations, honor societies, and just fun. Ten fraternities and sororities make up a solid Greek life, and Hastings is especially known for its many musical groups, including the Hastings College Players, a musical theater troupe.Varsity athletics, intramural sports, and outdoor recreation are all exciting options for Hastings students. The Broncos – Hastings’ varsity teams – compete in the NAIA, with numerous men’s and women’s sports including basketball, bowling, soccer, and track & field, but students also like getting into competitive club sports and intramurals. Students can ride in the rodeo, show off their marksmanship, or compete for fun in flag football and Ultimate Frisbee. Nebraska also offers many outdoor adventure sports, like extensive hiking trails around Hastings.