“A Quaker liberal arts college where intellectual curiosity, global engagement, and community values converge.”
Earlham College is a nationally celebrated private liberal arts college rooted in Quaker values, set on an 800-acre campus in Richmond, Indiana. Founded in 1847 by the Religious Society of Friends, Earlham has cultivated a tradition of intellectual rigor, community consensus, and global engagement. With fewer than 800 students, the college offers a profoundly personal education: all classes are taught by faculty — not graduate assistants — and students engage in close mentorship, collaborative research, and often transformative international study. US News consistently honors Earlham for Best Undergraduate Teaching, Best Value, and academic innovation. Earlham's global identity is central to who it is: roughly 70 percent of students participate in semester-length study abroad programs, and the college ranks in the top 40 nationally for study abroad participation. International students from over 60 countries make up approximately 18 percent of the student body. The college's four academic divisions — Humanities, Natural Sciences, Social Sciences, and Visual and Performing Arts — offer 42 majors and 39 minors, with particular strengths in Biology, Biochemistry, Japanese Studies, Psychology, Peace and Global Studies, and Computer Science. The Quaker governance model — grounded in consensus-building and respect for every individual — shapes a campus culture that is thoughtful, activist-oriented, and deeply civically engaged. Earlham stands out for its affordability among private liberal arts colleges: ranked in the top 20 for Best Value, the college automatically awards merit scholarships starting at $30,000 per year to all admitted students, with 96 percent of undergraduates receiving aid averaging $41,801. Richmond, Indiana provides a welcoming small-city setting with proximity to Indianapolis and Cincinnati. Graduates pursue meaningful careers in education, healthcare, government, research, and the nonprofit sector, driven by the college's enduring emphasis on ethical leadership and purposeful work.
Visa, OPT, H-1B alumni outcomes, and acceptance rates by country — sourced from FOIA, USCIS H-1B Hub, and DHS SEVIS.
National Universities
US News 2026
Best Value Colleges
US News 2026
Best Undergraduate Teaching
US News 2026
Study Abroad
US News 2026
Most Innovative Colleges
US News 2026
Test Optional — You can submit scores if they help your case, but they're not required.
Official SourceEarly Decision
Binding; notification by mid-December
Early Action I
Non-binding
Early Action II
Non-binding
Regular Decision
The deep admissions playbook beyond the headline acceptance rate — round-by-round breakdowns, nationality data, requirements, and contact paths.
Tuition & Fees (All Students)
$50,970 – $55,814
/yr
Beyond the sticker price — every named scholarship, the financial aid policy, need-aware notes, and a personalized net-cost estimate.
How life on campus actually feels — clubs, sports, traditions, housing realities, and how the school integrates with its city.
Departments spanning literature, history, philosophy, religion, and world languages with strong emphasis on writing and critical thinking
Laboratory and field-based sciences with substantial faculty-mentored research opportunities from the first year
Study of human behavior, society, economics, and political systems through quantitative and qualitative lenses
Studio arts, music, theatre, and dance programs combining creative practice with critical inquiry
4 years
One of the strongest Japanese Studies programs at a US liberal arts college, with direct exchange opportunities in Japan and rigorous language instruction
4 years
Research-intensive programs with faculty-mentored lab work from year one; excellent preparation for graduate school and health professions
4 years
Distinctive interdisciplinary program rooted in Quaker peacemaking traditions, integrating political science, sociology, and international relations
Where alumni go after graduation — top industries, grad-school continuation, and the qualitative outcomes story.
Sticker price (annual, out-of-state): $53,930
Net-cost estimate is US-resident-only — international applicants are typically excluded from need-based aid at most schools and should treat the sticker price as the planning baseline.
