Celebrating Women’s History Month With A Look at the Top All-Women's Universities in the US

March is Women’s History Month, an annual observance in the US dedicated to celebrating women’s contributions to history, culture and society. With so many of our students setting their sights on universities in the US, we would like to shed light on some of the best all-women’s colleges in the country, as well as some of their famous alumni.

While some traditionally all-women’s schools have shifted to become co-ed, there are still several prestigious universities in the US that only enroll women. Many of the country’s remaining all-women’s schools boast exceptional academic opportunities, rich social and intellectual environments, and a history of influential alumni.

In no particular order, here are some of the top women-only colleges in the US.

Barnard College

With an acceptance rate of 12%, Barnard is objectively the most selective all-women’s school. Situated in Morningside Heights in New York City, on the same green as Columbia University, Barnard has a unique relationship with Columbia: students at the all-women’s university can take classes at Columbia, eat at their dining halls, and even graduate with both schools’ names on their diplomas!

Notable alumni include Martha Stewart, Jhumpa Lahiri, Sheila Abdus-Salaam, and Jacqueline Barton.

Wellesley College

Wellesley College is situated an hour away from Boston in the quaint Massachusetts town of Wellesley. About 20% of Wellesley graduates apply to medical school, meaning a Wellesley pre-med student lives alongside like-minded, driven individuals who can push them to their heights. Wellesley is considered a rigorous college, so its students are top applicants to the best medical schools.

Notable alumni include Madeleine Albright, Hillary Clinton, Diane Sawyer, and Susan Wagner.

Scripps College

A college of the Claremont Consortium, Scripps is the only all-women’s school on this list not located in the Northeastern US. Scripps students enjoy the benefits of not only an extensive interdisciplinary education but the resources of the other four Liberal Arts Colleges within the Consortium (Pomona, Harvey Mudd, Pitzer, and Claremont McKenna). About an hour away from Los Angeles, Scripps is an excellent interdisciplinary all-women’s school.

Notable alumni include Gabrielle Giffords, Serena Altschul, and Anne Hopkins Aitkin.

Bryn Mawr College

Bryn Mawr is one of the best-looking colleges in the US, for those who appreciate beautiful gothic architecture! Beyond its eye-catching campus, this Pennsylvania liberal arts college is a member of the Quaker Consortium alongside Swarthmore College and Haverford College. Bryn Mawr also has a close relationship with the University of Pennsylvania, where students can dual-enroll or take a selection of classes.

Notable alumni include Ana Botin, Marianne Moore, and Edith Hamilton.

Interested in exploring an all-women’s college in the US? Curious how to get started on the path to admission? Crimson is here to help. Our global team of admissions experts can help you identify your best-fit universities and build a well-rounded application to help turn your dream school into a reality. To learn more, click the link below to schedule a free consultation with one of our academic advisors.