“A bold liberal arts college near Philadelphia where 99% of students receive aid and 100% of seniors complete independent research.”
Ursinus College is a private liberal arts college founded in 1869, located on a 170-acre campus in Collegeville, Pennsylvania, just 25 miles northwest of Philadelphia. Known for its deeply personal learning environment and commitment to making a rigorous liberal education financially accessible, Ursinus guarantees every admitted first-year student at least $35,000 per year in merit awards — and 99% of students receive some form of financial aid. The college's 10:1 student-to-faculty ratio and emphasis on undergraduate research mean that students work alongside faculty mentors, not graduate assistants, from their very first semester. One of Ursinus's signature distinctions is its commitment to applied and inquiry-based learning. Every senior completes an independent research or creative project, and students in all disciplines have access to an unusually breadth of research-active faculty across the sciences, humanities, and social sciences. Ursinus offers 60+ courses of study including interdisciplinary standouts like Neuroscience, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Computational Biology, Biostatistics, and Politics and International Relations. The college recently secured a $2 million grant from the National Science Foundation to fund the PERSIST STEM scholarship program, underscoring its investment in science education. Philadelphia access provides internship and professional connections across healthcare, law, finance, and technology. Campus life at Ursinus is intimate and tradition-rich. Ninety percent of students live on campus in residences ranging from modern halls to 22+ historic Victorian Main Street houses. Bears-spirit traditions — including the faculty and staff Convocation gauntlet welcoming first-year students to campus, Late Night Breakfast during finals, and Homecoming Weekend — anchor a strong sense of community. With nearly 100 clubs, four sororities and six fraternities, and athletic competition in the NCAA Division III Centennial Conference, Ursinus offers a full campus experience within reach of one of America's great 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
Social Mobility — Liberal Arts Colleges
US News 2026
Test Optional — You can submit scores if they help your case, but they're not required.
Official SourceEarly Action
Non-binding; priority scholarship and merit review
Early Decision I
Binding commitment to attend if admitted
Early Decision II
Binding; second-round ED for committed students
Regular Decision
Decisions by mid-March
The deep admissions playbook beyond the headline acceptance rate — round-by-round breakdowns, nationality data, requirements, and contact paths.
Tuition & Fees (All Students)
$62,164
/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.
Comprehensive STEM offerings with a strong emphasis on undergraduate research, interdisciplinary study, and preparation for graduate and professional programs.
Analytical programs examining human behavior, political systems, economics, and organizational management.
Rich programs in language, literature, history, philosophy, and creative arts that form the core of the liberal arts tradition.
Integrated programs preparing students for careers in medicine, allied health, and biological research.
Cross-disciplinary programs combining multiple fields to address complex real-world questions.
4 years
An integrative interdisciplinary program combining biology, biochemistry, psychology, computer science, philosophy, and physics to study the brain and behavior. Unique among small liberal arts colleges for its depth and research opportunities.
4 years
One of Ursinus's most popular and historically strong programs, with undergraduate research embedded from year one and a strong record of medical and health professional school placement.
4 years
Combines political theory, comparative politics, and international relations with Philadelphia-area internship access including policy organizations and global firms.
Where alumni go after graduation — top industries, grad-school continuation, and the qualitative outcomes story.
Sticker price (annual, out-of-state): $61,210
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.
