About Elizabethtown College

Our commitment is to Educate for Service. We believe that learning is most noble when used to benefit others, regardless of chosen career path. We prepare our students to lead rich lives of purpose and meaning, while advancing independent thought, personal integrity and social responsibility. These are the foundations for a life of learning. We foster the values of peace, non-violence, human dignity and social justice.

Quick Facts

96%

of graduates are employed or enrolled in additional education within one year of graduation

Average Class Size

Ranked

113

"National Liberal Arts Colleges" by U.S. News and World Report

NCAA DIII Athletic Teams

Clubs and Organizations

100%

of students receive Financial Aid

Traditions

There are numerous official (and unofficial) traditions to help you connect to campus and your fellow students, alumni, staff and faculty. More about our Traditions

Educational Philosophy

Elizabethtown College believes that students can perform no greater service than sharing knowledge and creativity with others. Our Educational Philosophy

History

Explore the deep history of Elizabethtown College. Delve into our History

At a Glance

Elizabethtown College, with 1,691 undergraduates from 18 states and 13 foreign countries, is an independent, residential, coeducational college in south-central Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. The College, established by the Church of the Brethren in 1899, maintains 7 schools and offers a variety of programs at numerous award levels. The core curriculum emphasizes the arts, humanities and sciences.

History

Elizabethtown College was chartered in 1899 by members of the Church of the Brethren who were interested in establishing an institution of higher education for their denomination in eastern Pennsylvania. Read more

Location

Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania is located in western Lancaster County. The College is also a short drive from the state capital, Harrisburg, and popular entertainment destination, Hershey.

Campus

204-acre campus
Academic Buildings
Residential Halls
Performance Venues and Galleries
80,000 Sq. Ft. Fitness and Well-being Center

Academics

7 Schools
5 Undergraduate Certificates
4 Associate’s Majors
63 Bachelor’s Majors
9 Master’s Majors
11 Post-Baccalaureate Certificates
1 Doctorate Major
12.1 FTE Student/Faculty ratio
15.3 (for 2021-22 school year) Average Class Size
73.1% 2016 Cohort 4-Year Graduation Rate
140,957 Volumes in Circulation in High Library

Faculty

104 full-time faculty (traditional college)
88.5% of full-time faculty hold a doctorate or terminal degree in their field
96 Part-time faculty (traditional college & School of Graduate and Professional Studies)

Student Life

1,742 traditional students
80.2% of traditional undergraduate students live on campus
76 clubs and organizations
185 Number of Service Projects per year (including academic service-learning, clubs, groups, into the streets, MLK, service trip)
950 students participate in service-related projects (many students do more than one type of service per year)

Athletics

24 NCAA Division III athletic teams
14 Intramural sports

Recognition

Among all Colleges & Universities ranked in the US News & World Report’s 2020 rankings, Elizabethtown College ranks 42 out of 108 in Pennsylvania schools only.
113 (out of 223) among National Liberal Arts Colleges in U.S. News & World Report's 2020 "National Liberal Arts Colleges" rankings.
Elizabethtown College ranks 303 out of 797 national entries in the Wall Street Journal 2021 College Rankings.

Accreditation

Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Higher Education
Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education of the American Occupational Therapy Association (ACOTE)
Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET)
National Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
PA Department of Education
American Chemical Society Committee on Professional Training (ACS)
National Association of Schools of Music (NASM)
Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
National Accrediting Agency for Clinical
Laboratory Sciences

Diversity at Etown

2020-21 Undergraduate / Degree-seeking

Full-time Students: 1,537 (26 international students)

White: 1,285 students (83.6%)
Asian: 34 students (2.2%)
Hispanic/Latino: 95 students (6.2%)
Black/African-American: 33 students (2.1%)
Two or more races: 34 students (2.2%)
American Indian or Alaska Native: 1 student (0.1%)
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander: 0 students (0%)
Race and Ethnicity Unknown: 29 students (1.9%)

Part-time Students: 13 (0 international students)

White: 11 students (84.6%)
Black/African-American: 0 students (0%)
Hispanic/Latino: 1 students (7.7%)
Asian: 0 students (0%)
Native Hawaiian / other Pacific Islander: 0 students (0%)
Two or more races: 0 students (0%)
American Indian or Alaska Native: 0 students (0%)
Race and Ethnicity Unknown: 1 student (7.7%)

Full-time Faculty

Full-time Faculty: 104

White: 85 (81.7%)
Asian: 4 (3.8%)
Hispanic: 5 (4.8%)
Black/African-American: 2 (1.9%)
International: 3 (2.9%)
Race and Ethnicity Uknown: 5 (4.8%)

Part-time Faculty

Part-time Faculty: 96

White: 82 (85.4%)
Asian: 4 (3.8%)
Hispanic: 5 (4.8%)
Black/African-American: 2 (2.1%)
International: 1 (1.0%)
Race and Ethnicity Unknown: 5 (5.2%)

Staff

Administration & Staff (full- and part-time): 317

White: 297 (93.7%)
Black or African American: 4 (1.3%)
Hispanic: 10 (3.2%)
Asian: 4 (1.3%)
Race and Ethnicity unknown: 4 (1.3%)

Ready To Join Our Flock? Campus visits are the best way to determine if Elizabethtown College is the right “fit” for you. We encourage every student who is thinking of applying or enrolling to visit campus and see for yourself.