Three Benefits of Attending a Small University

University student throwing their hats in the air
Photo by Vasily Koloda on Unsplash

Since 2014, Greg Salsbury has served as the president of Western Colorado University, a public, 4-year college located in rural Gunnison. While enrollments have increased significantly during Greg Salsbury’s tenure, Western Colorado University is still classified as a small university. 

Defined as institutions with fewer than 5,000 students, small universities can offer a fantastic college experience for the right student. Some of the biggest perks of attending a small school include:

Smaller classes: While many institutions offer smaller class sizes, small schools almost never offer the massive lecture-style courses that are commonplace at larger universities. Students who need more individualized attention and less competition often benefit from a lower professor-to-student ratio. 

Specialized majors: Many small schools gain reputations by featuring niche majors. For example, WCU is one of only 10 universities in the nation offering undergraduate degrees in petroleum geology. Likewise, many small institutions allow students to develop their own majors or take on diverse courses through an interdisciplinary program.

Stronger connections: In larger institutions, students may rarely come into contact with their professors, deans, and other higher-ranking school leaders. In smaller schools, these administrators are much more accessible, and can serve as valued mentors and references after graduation.