“A nationally ranked Christian liberal arts college on the shores of Lake Michigan, where faith and rigorous scholarship meet.”
Hope College is a nationally recognized private Christian liberal arts college in Holland, Michigan, founded in 1866 with support from the Reformed Church in America. The college's picturesque 120-acre campus sits just blocks from award-winning downtown Holland and minutes from the sandy beaches of Lake Michigan, creating a distinctive blend of small-town charm, natural beauty, and serious academic culture. With a total undergraduate enrollment of approximately 3,391 students and more than 90 majors, minors, and pre-professional programs, Hope is celebrated for the exceptional depth of its undergraduate education — it is the first private four-year college in the United States to hold simultaneous national accreditation in art, dance, music, and theatre. Hope's commitment to undergraduate research is unmatched among Michigan's private liberal arts colleges. The college receives more funding from the National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health, and NASA than any other private four-year undergraduate liberal arts college in Michigan, supporting approximately 180 students each summer through hands-on research experiences. Engineering programs are ABET-accredited — rare at a liberal arts college — and the sciences, music, business, and pre-health programs consistently earn national recognition. U.S. News & World Report ranked Hope #84 among National Liberal Arts Colleges and #28 among Most Innovative Schools in 2026. In its latest Graduate Report, 94% of the Class of 2024 participated in experiential learning such as internships, research, or off-campus study. Campus life at Hope is animated by a faith-informed community ethos that values service, inclusion, and holistic student formation. Century-old traditions like The Pull — a competitive rope-pull across the Black River dating to 1898 — and the Nykerk Cup Competition bring generations of students together in spirited competition. The Center for Global Engagement supports international students and fosters cross-cultural exchange through programs like IMAGES: A Reflection of Cultures, an annual international showcase. With 95% of students reporting they feel extremely safe on campus and strong faculty-student relationships defining academic life, Hope delivers a transformative undergraduate experience in one of Michigan's most livable small cities.
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
Most Innovative Schools — National Liberal Arts
US News 2026
Best Value — National Liberal Arts
US News 2026
Test Optional — You can submit scores if they help your case, but they're not required.
Official SourceEarly Notification
Non-binding; decisions mailed early December. Scholarship consideration prioritized.
Regular Decision (Rolling)
Applications reviewed on a rolling basis after November 1; decisions issued within weeks of submission
The deep admissions playbook beyond the headline acceptance rate — round-by-round breakdowns, nationality data, requirements, and contact paths.
Tuition & Fees (All Students)
$46,450
/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.
Biology, chemistry, biochemistry, physics, geology, mathematics, computer science, and ABET-accredited engineering programs — the strongest undergraduate research infrastructure of any private liberal arts college in Michigan
English, history, modern and classical languages, philosophy, and religion — with strong pre-law and seminary pathways
Psychology, sociology, political science, economics, and social work, with internship connections across West Michigan and beyond
The only private four-year college in the U.S. with simultaneous national accreditation in art, dance, music, and theatre
Business administration, accounting, and management alongside teacher preparation programs in elementary, secondary, and special education
4 years
Hope's most popular major, supported by world-class undergraduate research infrastructure and one of the highest NSF/NIH funding levels of any private liberal arts college in Michigan. Exceptional medical school placement record.
4 years
ABET-accredited engineering program — exceptionally rare at a liberal arts college. Students gain rigorous technical training alongside the broad analytical skills of a liberal arts education, with strong placement in Michigan's manufacturing and tech sectors.
4 years
Part of a fine arts suite that carries simultaneous national accreditation in art, dance, music, and theatre — a distinction no other private four-year U.S. college holds. Nationally ranked music program with outstanding performance and education tracks.
Where alumni go after graduation — top industries, grad-school continuation, and the qualitative outcomes story.
Sticker price (annual, out-of-state): $41,970
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.
