Earlham College is classified as a liberal arts college, meaning it aims to deliver a general education, broad knowledge and intellectual capabilities, as opposed to technical or vocational education.
The college was founded by Quakers in 1847 and began admitting non-Quakers in 1865. It seeks to instill Quaker values such as nonviolence, social justice and community. It was the second higher education institution in the United States to admit male and female students.
In keeping with its Quaker traditions, teaching at Earlham College is geared towards stewardship, empowering students to think about how they can improve the communities and environment around them. Around 30% of graduates reported that they went on to work in a role linked to social change.
Many Earlham College students spend a semester abroad in countries around the world, with exchanges to universities in North America, Europe, Asia and Africa.
Many Earlham graduates goes on to pursue a PhD, and the college itself is known for its PhDs in biological and life sciences.
The college is based in Richmond, Indiana. Its central quadrangle, “The Heart”, is bordered by eight residence halls and around 20 student houses. Of the 800 acres that belong to the campus, 600 are forest and meadowland, which is kept natural for recreation and research purposes. Richmond city centre is a short drive away, and is known for its historic buildings and jazz music.
