“A community rooted in service, where professional preparation meets purposeful liberal arts learning.”
Elizabethtown College, affectionately known as Etown, is a private liberal arts institution founded in 1899 by members of the Church of the Brethren in Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania — a charming small city in the heart of Lancaster County. Guided by the motto "Educate for Service," the college has built a 125-year tradition of integrating rigorous academic programs with a deep commitment to community engagement, social justice, and ethical leadership. Etown enrolls approximately 1,900 undergraduates across 53 majors and 90-plus minors and concentrations, offering bachelor's degrees in the arts, sciences, engineering, and health professions, alongside select master's and doctoral graduate programs. The college is particularly distinguished by its nationally recognized programs in Engineering, Occupational Therapy, and Music Therapy. The ABET-accredited Engineering program combines academic rigor with extensive hands-on experience — over 96% of engineering graduates are employed or enrolled in graduate school within one year, with alumni at Intel, Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Google, and NASA. The School of Engineering and Computer Science has expanded rapidly, with CS concentrations in Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, Data Science, and Software Development. Etown's Occupational Therapy Doctorate was recognized among the nation's best by US News 2026. Business, Biology, Psychology, and Social Work are also among the most popular and well-regarded programs. Campus life at Etown is vibrant and residential, with over 80% of students living on the 203-acre suburban campus. Students participate in more than 100 clubs and organizations, NCAA Division III varsity athletics in 22 sports, and beloved traditions including the annual Tree-Lighting ceremony and a cappella group showcases. The Blue Jays are particularly spirited in lacrosse and wrestling. Elizabethtown's location in Lancaster County provides rich access to internships and clinical placements, while Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. are within 90 minutes.
Visa, OPT, H-1B alumni outcomes, and acceptance rates by country — sourced from FOIA, USCIS H-1B Hub, and DHS SEVIS.
Regional Universities North
US News 2026
Best Undergraduate Teaching – Regional Universities North
US News 2026
Best Value Schools – Regional Universities North
US News 2026
Engineering (no doctoral programs)
US News 2026
Test Optional — You can submit scores if they help your case, but they're not required.
Official SourceEarly Decision
Binding; confirm exact date with admissions office
Regular Decision
OT/PA Priority Deadline
Occupational Therapy and Physician Assistant programs require earlier application
The deep admissions playbook beyond the headline acceptance rate — round-by-round breakdowns, nationality data, requirements, and contact paths.
Tuition & Fees (All Students)
$37,950
/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.
ABET-accredited engineering with concentrations including biomedical, electrical, and mechanical; CS concentrations in AI, cybersecurity, data science, and software development
Graduate and professional degree programs including the Occupational Therapy Doctorate, Master of Education, MBA, and Master of Public Policy
Teacher certification programs and professional social work degrees with strong clinical placements across the region
Music therapy, theatre, communication, foreign languages, and visual arts programs grounded in a strong liberal arts core
Biology, chemistry, psychology, and political science programs with active undergraduate research opportunities and pre-health preparation
4 years
ABET-accredited program ranked #46 nationally among engineering schools with no doctoral programs. Concentrations include biomedical, electrical, and mechanical engineering. Over 96% of graduates employed or in graduate school within one year.
3 years
Entry-level doctoral program combining rigorous clinical science with extensive fieldwork. Recognized among the nation's best graduate OT programs by US News 2026.
4 years
One of Pennsylvania's most established music therapy programs, integrating music performance with clinical training in healthcare and community settings.
Where alumni go after graduation — top industries, grad-school continuation, and the qualitative outcomes story.
Sticker price (annual, out-of-state): $37,950
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.
