Small Division 1 college offer students the unique opportunity to experience the best of both worlds: the personalized attention of a small college and the competitive athletic programs and resources of a division 1 university.
Choosing the right college can be daunting, but many excellent options are available for students seeking a small college atmosphere with Division 1 sports and academics. This article will highlight the 10 best small Division 1 college in the United States.
These colleges offer a range of academic programs, hands-on learning opportunities, and athletic programs that can help students achieve their personal and professional goals. Whether you’re interested in studying engineering, business, liberal arts, or any other discipline, these colleges have something for everyone.
So, let’s dive into our list of the 10 best small Division 1 colleges and explore what makes each unique and why they are an excellent choice for students seeking a personalized, challenging, and supportive academic environment.
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Table of contents
Reasons to attend small Division 1 colleges
Small Division 1 colleges can offer students a personalized and challenging academic experience that more prominent universities may need help to provide. Here are some reasons why attending a small Division 1 college can be a great choice:
#1. Personalized attention
With smaller class sizes, students can receive more personalized attention from their professors. This allows for more individualized instruction, feedback, and mentorship.
#2. Strong sense of community
Small Division 1 colleges often have a close-knit community where students can build strong relationships with their peers, professors, and staff. This can create a supportive environment where students feel valued and connected.
#3. Accessible resources
Because of the more petite student body, resources such as libraries, labs, and study spaces can be more accessible to students. This allows for more opportunities to engage in research and experiential learning.
#4. Diverse academic programs
Despite their size, many small Division 1 colleges offer a wide range of academic programs across various disciplines. This allows students to explore different areas of interest and find their passion.
#5. Hands-on learning opportunities
Small Division 1 colleges often prioritize hands-on learning, such as internships, research projects, and service learning. This provides students with practical experience and helps prepare them for their future careers.
#6. Competitive athletics
Many small Division 1 colleges have competitive athletic programs, allowing students to participate in varsity sports and experience the camaraderie and discipline that comes with being a student-athlete.
#7. Strong alum network
Small Division 1 colleges often have a solid and active alum network. This can provide students with networking opportunities, mentorship, and career connections.
Attending a small Division 1 college can provide students with a personalized, challenging, supportive academic environment and access to diverse educational programs, hands-on learning opportunities, and competitive athletics. These factors help students develop the skills, knowledge, and connections they need to succeed in their careers.
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10 Best small Division 1 college in 2023 | Apply Now
#1. Davidson college
Davidson College is a highly regarded small Division 1 college in Davidson, North Carolina. With an admission rate of just 17%, the school is highly selective, attracting some of the most talented and motivated students from across the country.
Davidson College offers a wide range of courses in the liberal arts and sciences, including majors in over 20 different fields. Davidson’s most popular majors include biology, economics, psychology, political science, and English. Additionally, the school offers several interdisciplinary programs that allow students to explore multiple areas of study, including Latin American Studies, Environmental Studies, and Digital Studies.
One of the things that makes Davidson College a great place to attend is its commitment to providing students with a personalized educational experience. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of just 9:1; meaning students can work closely with professors and receive individualized attention and support. The college also emphasizes hands-on learning, encouraging students to participate in research, internships, and community service projects.
Davidson College is also known for its strong sense of community. The school has a close-knit campus with just over 1,800 undergraduate students. There are over 200 student organizations and clubs on campus, providing students with numerous opportunities to get involved and pursue their interests outside of the classroom. The college also has a robust athletic program, with 21 Division 1 sports teams and a strong tradition of athletic excellence.
Visit https://www.davidson.edu/ to learn more about Davidson College.
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#2. Williams college
Williams College is a highly selective small Division 1 college in Williamstown, Massachusetts. With an admission rate of just 12%, Williams College is known for attracting some of the most academically talented students worldwide.
Williams College offers a broad range of courses in the liberal arts and sciences, with over 40 majors and concentrations. Williams’s most popular majors include economics, mathematics, biology, political science, and psychology. The college also offers interdisciplinary programs, such as Environmental Studies, Neuroscience, and Asian Studies.
One thing that makes Williams College a great place to attend is its commitment to academic excellence. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of just 7:1. Students can work closely with professors and receive individualized attention and support. The college also emphasizes research and encourages students to participate in independent research projects and collaborative research with faculty.
Williams College also has a strong sense of community, with a tight-knit campus and numerous student organizations and clubs. The school has a Division 1 athletic program, with 32 varsity sports teams and a strong tradition of athletic excellence.
Visit https://www.williams.edu/ to learn more about Williams College.
#3. Colgate College
Colgate University is a highly regarded small Division 1 college in Hamilton, New York. With an admission rate of just 25%, the school is highly selective, attracting some of the most talented and motivated students from across the country.
Colgate University offers a wide range of courses in the liberal arts and sciences, including majors in over 50 different fields. Colgate’s most popular majors include economics, political science, biology, psychology, and computer science. Additionally, the school offers several interdisciplinary programs that allow students to explore multiple areas of study, including Africana and Latin American Studies, Peace and Conflict Studies, and Neuroscience.
One of the things that makes Colgate University a great place to attend is its commitment to providing students with a well-rounded educational experience. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of just 9:1; meaning students can work closely with professors and receive individualized attention and support. Colgate also emphasizes hands-on learning, encouraging students to participate in research, internships, and community service projects.
Colgate University is also known for its strong sense of community. The school has a close-knit campus with just over 2,900 undergraduate students. Over 200 student organizations and clubs are on campus, providing numerous opportunities to get involved and pursue their interests outside of the classroom. The college also has a robust athletic program, with 25 Division 1 sports teams and a strong tradition of athletic excellence.
Visit https://www.colgate.edu/ to learn more about Colgate University.
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#4. Bucknell University
Bucknell University is a top-ranked small Division 1 college located in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania. With an admission rate of just 32%, Bucknell is highly selective, attracting some of the most talented and motivated students worldwide.
Bucknell University offers a broad range of courses in the liberal arts and sciences, with over 50 majors to choose from. Some of the most popular majors at Bucknell include engineering, business, psychology, biology, and political science. Additionally, the university offers several interdisciplinary programs that allow students to explore multiple areas of study, including Environmental Studies, International Relations, and Latin American Studies.
One thing that makes Bucknell University a great place to attend is its commitment to providing students with a personalized educational experience. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of just 9:1; meaning students can work closely with professors and receive individualized attention and support. Bucknell also emphasizes experiential learning, encouraging students to participate in research, internships, and community service projects.
Bucknell University is also known for its strong sense of community. The school has a close-knit campus with just over 3,600 undergraduate students. Over 200 student organizations and clubs are on campus, providing numerous opportunities to get involved and pursue their interests outside of the classroom. The university also has a robust athletic program, with 27 Division 1 sports teams and a longstanding tradition of athletic excellence.
Visit https://www.bucknell.edu/ to learn more about Bucknell University.
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The United States Naval Academy, located in Annapolis, Maryland, is a unique small Division 1 college that prepares students for careers as officers in the United States Navy or Marine Corps. With an admission rate of just 8%, the Naval Academy is highly selective, attracting some of the country’s most talented and motivated students.
The Naval Academy offers a rigorous academic program that includes engineering, mathematics, science, humanities, and social sciences majors. The curriculum gives students a strong foundation in leadership, ethics, character development, and technical and academic knowledge. The Naval Academy also emphasizes hands-on learning, with numerous opportunities for students to gain practical experience through internships, research, and other experiential learning opportunities.
One thing that makes the United States Naval Academy a great place to attend is its commitment to developing leaders of character. The school’s mission is to “develop midshipmen morally, mentally, and physically, and to imbue them with the highest ideals of duty, honor, and loyalty.” As such, the Naval Academy strongly emphasizes leadership development, character education, and personal responsibility.
In addition to its rigorous academic program and leadership development opportunities, the Naval Academy offers students a unique and rewarding experience. Students receive a full scholarship, including tuition, room and board, and a stipend for books and supplies. They also have the opportunity to participate in numerous extracurricular activities, including sports, clubs, and service organizations.
Visit https://www.usna.edu/ to learn more about the United States Naval Academy.
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#6. Lehigh College
Lehigh University is a top-ranked small Division 1 college located in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. With an admission rate of 22%, Lehigh is highly selective, attracting some of the most talented and motivated students worldwide.
Lehigh University offers over 100 majors across four colleges: the P.C. Rossin College of Engineering and Applied Science, the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Business, and the College of Education. Some of the most popular majors at Lehigh include engineering, business, computer science, biology, and psychology. Additionally, the university offers several interdisciplinary programs that allow students to explore multiple areas of study, including Environmental Studies, Global Studies, and Integrated Business and Engineering.
One of the things that makes Lehigh University a great place to attend is its strong sense of community. The school has a close-knit campus, with just over 7,000 undergraduate and graduate students. The university also emphasizes experiential learning, encouraging students to participate in research, internships, and community service projects.
Lehigh University is also known for its strong athletic program, 25 Division 1 sports teams, and a longstanding tradition of athletic excellence. The university also offers numerous opportunities for students to get involved in extracurricular activities and clubs, including service organizations, cultural groups, and student government.
Visit https://www.lehigh.edu/ to learn more about Lehigh University.
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#7. Lafayette college
Lafayette College is a small Division 1 college located in Easton, Pennsylvania. With an admission rate of 28%, the college is highly selective, attracting talented and motivated students worldwide.
Lafayette College offers over 50 majors across four academic divisions: the Division of Engineering, the Division of Humanities, the Division of Natural Sciences, and the Division of Social Sciences. Lafayette’s most popular majors include Engineering, Biology, Economics, and Psychology. Additionally, the college offers several interdisciplinary programs that allow students to explore multiple areas of study, including Environmental Science and Policy, International Affairs, and Neuroscience.
Lafayette College is a great place to attend because of its commitment to student-centered education. The college emphasizes close relationships between students and faculty, with a student-to-faculty ratio of 10:1 and an average class size of 19. This personalized approach to education allows students to receive individualized attention and support from their professors.
Lafayette College also offers numerous opportunities for students to gain hands-on experience through research, internships, and community service projects. The college has a strong tradition of service, with over 70% of students participating in community service during their time at Lafayette.
In addition to its academic and service offerings, Lafayette College has a robust athletic program, with 23 Division 1 sports teams and a longstanding tradition of athletic excellence. The college also offers numerous extracurricular activities and clubs, including service organizations, cultural groups, and student government.
Visit https://www.lafayette.edu/ to learn more about Lafayette College.
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#8. Furman University
Furman University is a small Division 1 college in Greenville, South Carolina. With an admission rate of 53%, Furman is a selective school, attracting high-achieving students nationwide.
Furman University offers over 60 majors and minors across a range of disciplines, including Arts and Sciences, Business Administration, and Education. Some of the most popular majors at Furman include Business, Health Sciences, Psychology, and Political Science. Additionally, the university offers several interdisciplinary programs that allow students to explore multiple areas of study, including Sustainability Science and Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies.
One of the things that makes Furman University a great place to attend is its strong sense of community. The university has a close-knit campus, with just over 2,600 undergraduate students. The university also emphasizes experiential learning, encouraging students to participate in internships, research projects, and study abroad programs.
Furman University is also known for its strong athletic program, 18 Division 1 sports teams, and a longstanding tradition of athletic excellence. The university also offers numerous opportunities for students to get involved in extracurricular activities and clubs, including service organizations, cultural groups, and student government.
In addition to its academic and extracurricular offerings, Furman University is committed to sustainability and environmental stewardship. The university has invested significantly in renewable energy and sustainable practices, including a 743-kilowatt solar farm and a campus-wide composting program.
Visit https://www.furman.edu/ to learn more about Furman University.
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#9. Holy Cross college
Holy Cross College is a small, private liberal arts college in Worcester, Massachusetts. As a small Division 1 college, Holy Cross offers a rigorous academic experience while also fostering a strong sense of community among its students. The college’s admission rate is 38%, making it a highly selective school.
Holy Cross College offers over 35 majors and minors, with some of the most popular majors being Economics, Political Science, and Psychology. The college is committed to providing a well-rounded education, strongly emphasizing the liberal arts. Students can engage in interdisciplinary study with Peace and Conflict Studies and Environmental Studies programs.
One thing that makes Holy Cross College a great place to attend is its commitment to service and social justice. The college has a long history of community engagement, with a strong focus on service learning and civic engagement. The college also offers numerous opportunities for students to get involved in service organizations and social justice initiatives.
Another strength of Holy Cross College is its close-knit community. The college has a small student body of just over 3,000 students, and the student-to-faculty ratio is 10:1. This creates an intimate learning environment where students can build strong relationships with their professors and peers.
Holy Cross College has a robust athletic program, with 27 Division 1 sports teams. The college is a member of the Patriot League, and its teams compete against other top Division 1 schools.
Visit https://www.holycross.edu/ to learn more about Holy Cross College.
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#10. Elon University
Elon University is a small, private liberal arts college in Elon, North Carolina. As a small Division 1 college, Elon offers a personalized and challenging academic experience. The college has an admission rate of 67%, making it a moderately selective school.
Elon University offers more than 60 majors and minors across its six schools: the Martha and Spencer Love School of Business, the School of Communications, the School of Education, the School of Health Sciences, the School of Law, and the College of Arts and Sciences. Some of the most popular majors are Business, Communications, and Psychology. Elon also offers a variety of study-abroad opportunities and internships, which allow students to gain real-world experience in their field of study.
One thing that makes Elon University a great college to attend is its commitment to experiential learning. The college offers numerous opportunities for students to engage in hands-on learning through research projects, internships, and service learning. This approach helps students to develop practical skills and gain a deeper understanding of their field of study.
Elon University also has a strong sense of community, with a student body of around 7,000 students and a student-to-faculty ratio of 12:1. This creates a supportive and collaborative environment where students can build relationships with their peers and professors.
Elon University has a competitive Division 1 athletic program with 18 varsity sports teams. The college is a member of the Colonial Athletic Association, and its teams compete against other top Division 1 schools.
Visit https://www.elon.edu/ to learn more about Elon University.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Holy Cross has roughly 3000 students, making it one of the smaller universities in the country. Other smaller universities include Bradley, Duquesne, and Wake Forest.
To enroll in and compete for a Division I school, prospective students must meet the following requirements: complete 16 credits of NCAA-approved core coursework, maintain a GPA of at least 2.3 in such coursework and submit an official transcript as proof of graduation to the Eligibility Center. The National Collegiate Athletic Association owns the trademark for the acronym NCAA.
There are now 350 schools in the NCAA’s Division I. Only in Alaska can you not find a Division I university.
It must be of Division 1 quality to qualify. To meet this goal, you must sponsor either six male and eight female sports or seven male and seven female sports. There should also be complete athletic scholarship opportunities for students.
Recruiting Division I colleges is more complex than some individuals imagine. In most sports, a high school athlete has a 2% chance of making it to the Division I level after graduation. Opportunities to participate at the Division I level also vary per sport.
Conclusion
Attending a small Division 1 college can give students a unique and rewarding experience. From the personalized attention of professors to competitive athletic programs, these colleges offer the best of both worlds.
The 10 colleges highlighted in this article represent some of the top small Division 1 colleges in the United States. Each college offers a range of academic programs, hands-on learning opportunities, and athletic programs that can help students achieve their personal and professional goals.
By choosing one of these colleges, students can benefit from a supportive community of peers, faculty, and staff committed to helping them succeed. Ultimately, the decision to attend a small Division 1 college is a personal one that should depend on each student’s individual needs and goals.
We hope this article has provided you with a helpful starting point for your college search and inspired you to explore the many excellent options available to you.
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References
- https://www.ncsasports.org/ – Division 1 colleges
- https://www.niche.com/ – Best small colleges
