“Birthplace of basketball and home of the Humanics philosophy — educating spirit, mind, and body for service to others.”
Springfield College is a private institution founded in 1885 as the YMCA International Training School in Springfield, Massachusetts — and this campus is literally where basketball was invented. In 1891, physical education instructor Dr. James Naismith devised the game here for his winter PE class, and Springfield's identity has been shaped by sport, human movement, and service ever since. Today, approximately 3,500 students study on a 100-acre campus along the shores of Lake Massasoit, guided by the Humanics philosophy — educating the whole person in spirit, mind, and body for leadership in service to others. The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame stands one mile from campus, and the college's connection to the global sport community remains as strong as ever. Academically, Springfield is organized across four schools: Arts and Sciences; Physical Education, Performance and Sport Leadership; Health Sciences; and Social Work and Behavioral Sciences. The college is nationally recognized for its health professions programs — physical therapy (DPT), occupational therapy, physician assistant studies, athletic training, exercise science, and nursing — all benefiting from a state-of-the-art Health Sciences Center opened in 2023. Physical education, recreation management, and kinesiology are additional signature programs that reflect Springfield's unique expertise in human movement and performance. Graduate programs in physical therapy, counseling psychology, and educational leadership serve working professionals across New England and beyond. Campus life at Springfield is defined by an energetic, athletics-integrated culture reflecting the Humanics philosophy — the majority of students participate in intramural or varsity sport. The Pride compete in 22 NCAA Division III varsity sports in the competitive NEWMAC conference. International students are especially well-supported: Springfield offers merit scholarships of $21,000–$30,000/year based on GPA, plus an automatic $10,000 International Student Grant, making total institutional support as high as $40,000/year. With programs across health, sport, and human services and a free application, Springfield offers a distinctive and accessible path for students passionate about making a difference in people's lives.
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
Test Optional — You can submit scores if they help your case, but they're not required.
Official SourceEarly Decision
Binding early decision; notification approximately December 15
Rolling Admission
Applications accepted on a rolling basis; free application; deposit deadline May 1 (fully refundable)
The deep admissions playbook beyond the headline acceptance rate — round-by-round breakdowns, nationality data, requirements, and contact paths.
Tuition & Fees (All Students)
$44,974
/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.
Springfield's signature school reflecting its founding mission and the birthplace-of-basketball legacy. Offers programs in physical education, exercise science, athletic training, sport management, and recreation industries. The Humanics philosophy is most directly expressed here.
Springfield's fastest-growing academic unit following the 2023 opening of the new Health Sciences Center. Home to physician assistant studies, nursing, public health, and pre-health professional advising. Features state-of-the-art clinical simulation laboratories.
Offers programs in social work, psychology, human services, and counseling — deeply tied to Springfield's service-to-others mission. Graduate programs in counseling psychology and social work have strong regional employer relationships.
Provides the liberal arts and sciences foundation supporting Springfield's professional programs. Offers biology, chemistry, computer science, education, communication, and pre-professional pathways.
3 years
Springfield's flagship graduate program with national recognition. Students benefit from the new Health Sciences Center's clinical simulation labs and extensive clinical placement networks across New England. Graduates are licensed physical therapists in high demand across hospital, outpatient, and sports medicine settings.
4 years
Springfield's most direct expression of its founding mission — preparing students for careers in fitness, sport performance, clinical health, and pre-professional health pathways. Features hands-on laboratory experiences, internship placements, and the college's world-class wellness facilities.
2 years
Competitive PA program offering a Master of Medical Science degree. Students receive rigorous clinical training across multiple healthcare settings in New England. PA graduates are among the highest-paid health professionals and are in sustained national demand.
Where alumni go after graduation — top industries, grad-school continuation, and the qualitative outcomes story.
Sticker price (annual, out-of-state): $45,174
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.
