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Haverford College

Haverford, PA

private nonprofitbachelors

Quick Facts

Non doctior, sed meliore doctrina imbutus("Not more learned, but steeped in a higher learning")

1833
Founded
Private liberal arts college
Type
1,421
Total Students
1,435
Undergrad
$707M
Endowment
(2024)
$68K
Tuition (In-State)
$68K
Tuition (Out-State)
$25K
Avg Net Price
13%
Acceptance Rate
89%
Graduation Rate
6-year
94%
Retention Rate
Baccalaureate Colleges
Classification
President: Wendy Raymond

Data from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0) & U.S. Dept. of Education

About Haverford College

Rooted in Quaker values, Haverford offers a rigorous liberal arts education and a strong honor code.

Haverford College, a distinguished private liberal arts institution in Haverford, Pennsylvania, offers a unique educational journey steeped in history and Quaker philosophy. Founded in 1833 by members of the Religious Society of Friends, it stands as the earliest Quaker liberal arts college, initially for young Quaker men. Today, it embraces a diverse student body, having become fully co-educational in 1980, and continues to be guided by its core values of integrity and community.

Academically, Haverford is a beacon of intellectual rigor, offering Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees across 31 majors spanning the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. Its commitment to a comprehensive liberal arts education is further enhanced by its membership in the Tri-College Consortium (with Bryn Mawr and Swarthmore) and the Quaker Consortium (adding the University of Pennsylvania), providing students with unparalleled cross-registration opportunities and broader academic resources.

The student experience at Haverford is distinctive, largely shaped by an honor code that governs both academic and social life, reflecting its Quaker-influenced principles. With approximately 1,435 undergraduates, nearly all of whom reside on the picturesque 216-acre suburban campus, Haverford fosters a close-knit and supportive community. Students engage as the Fords in NCAA Division III athletics, contributing to a vibrant campus culture where engagement and mutual respect are paramount.

Haverford's journey from an all-male Quaker institution to a diverse co-educational college reflects a history of evolving inclusivity, marked by milestones like admitting non-Quakers in 1849 and welcoming its first Black graduates. While it has experienced periods of significant growth and faced contemporary challenges, including recent student activism, Haverford remains dedicated to fostering critical thinking, ethical leadership, and a commitment to service, preparing its graduates to make meaningful contributions to the world.

Key Highlights

  • Established in 1833 by Quakers, making it the earliest Quaker liberal arts college.
  • Offers Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees across 31 majors in humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences.
  • Member of the Tri-College Consortium (Bryn Mawr, Swarthmore) and Quaker Consortium (including University of Pennsylvania), expanding academic resources.
  • Features a distinctive student-governed Honor Code, deeply influenced by its Quaker heritage and philosophy.
  • A close-knit community with approximately 1,435 undergraduates, nearly all residing on its 216-acre suburban campus.
  • Boasts an endowment of $706.5 million as of 2024.
  • Athletic teams, the Fords, compete in NCAA Division III within the Centennial Conference.

Timeline

1833
Founded as a men's college by members of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers).
1849
Opened enrollment to non-Quakers.
1926
Osmond Pitter becomes the first Black student to graduate from Haverford.
1969
Began admitting female transfer students.
1980
Became fully co-educational.
1997
Thomas R. Tritton begins presidency, overseeing construction of several new buildings.
2019
Wendy Raymond begins her tenure as president of the college.
2020
Much of the student body goes on strike over concerns of racial injustice at the college.
2027
President Wendy Raymond announces her retirement, effective June.
🏛️
193 Years
of Excellence

Leadership

President

Data from Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0

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