Women's colleges are single-gender institutions of higher education that only admit female students. There were many women's colleges in the 1960s, but now 27 women's colleges are active in the United States based on IPEDS data (U.S. Department of Education).
All 27 Women's Colleges are private colleges and universities in the United States.
Additional Information on Former Women's Colleges
While the following institutions were historically established as women's colleges, they recently have since transitioned to co-educational status. Here is some additional information about these colleges:
- Converse University: It was established in 1889 and originally a women's college. The college expanded its undergraduate residential program from single-gender to co-ed by admitting male undergraduate students in the fall of 2021.
- Notre Dame of Maryland University: Previously a women's college, Notre Dame of Maryland University became co-educational in September 2022 and admitted its first undergraduate men in the fall semester of 2023.
- Russell Sage College: Russell Sage College was historically founded in 1916 as a women's college, and for many years the Troy campus was exclusively for women while the Albany campus was co-educational. However, the institutions consolidated to form one unified, coeducational Russell Sage College.
- St. Catherine University: St. Catherine University was established as one of the first institutions of higher learning specifically for women in the Midwest and was known as the College of St. Catherine until 2009. Now, it offers baccalaureate programs for women as well as graduate and associate programs for women and men.
- Colorado Women's College: Colorado Women's College (CWC) was one of eight undergraduate colleges at the University of Denver and the Rocky Mountain Region's only all-women's college. It was formerly the Colorado Women's College before merging with the University of Denver in 1982.
- Stern College for Women: The Stern College for Women (SCW) is the undergraduate women's college of arts and sciences of Yeshiva University. It is located at the university's Israel Henry Beren Campus in the Murray Hill section of Manhattan.
Average Statistics for Women's Colleges
Compare and explore detailed statistics for 27 Women's Colleges to find the perfect college match for your academic goals, budget, and career aspirations. Our comprehensive comparison tool provides key data including tuition costs, acceptance rates, financial aid, graduation rates, and enrollment statistics to help you make informed decisions about your higher education:
- Average Tuition & Fees: Women's Colleges charge $43,803 on average for undergraduate programs.
- Graduate Program Costs: Average graduate tuition & fees for Women's Colleges is $24,885.
- Admission Statistics: Women's Colleges have moderately selective admissions, with an average acceptance rate of 60.31% and an average SAT score of 1,265 among accepted applicants.
- Student Population: Women's Colleges enroll an average of 1,589 students across all programs.
- Graduation Success Rate: Students at Women's Colleges achieve a moderate graduation rate of 62.93%, with ongoing efforts to enhance academic support and student success initiatives.
Use our detailed college comparison tables below to evaluate Women's Colleges side-by-side. Compare tuition and fees, financial aid packages, admission requirements, student-to-faculty ratios, and graduation outcomes to identify the best college that matches your educational needs and budget. Start comparing colleges now to make the right choice for your future.
Key Statistics & Highlights
Here are the highest and lowest statistics among Women's Colleges:
| Statistic |
Average |
Highest |
Lowest |
| Tuition & Fees | $43,803 | Barnard College
$69,888 | Bennett College
$19,140 |
|---|
| Graduate Tuition & Fees | $24,885 | Smith College
$64,870 | Salem College
$6,600 |
|---|
| Enrollment | 1,589 students | Simmons University
4,666 students | Bennett College
180 students |
|---|
| Acceptance Rate | 60.31% | Trinity Washington University
99.52% | Barnard College
8.84% |
|---|
| SAT Score | 1,265 | Barnard College
1,520 | Bennett College
925 |
|---|
Comparison between all Women's Colleges
The following table compares 27 Women's Colleges with tuition and important admission statistics. You can sort the table to find top-ranked schools in the indicator (column) by clicking/touching a column that you want to sort. Note again, "*" symbol next to certain institutions in below table indicates that the school is newly classified in 2025.