Gettysburg College

Gettysburg is a national college of liberal arts and sciences located in the world-famous town of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Our 2,600 students are actively involved in an academically rigorous and personally challenging educational experience. With an average class size of 17 and a student-to-faculty ratio of 9:1, everyone plays a role. At Gettysburg College, learning often means doing— doing everything. Students engage in cutting edge research, study across the globe, and serve the community of Gettysburg and beyond. There are no bystanders here.

Gettysburg is a place of variety and diversity, a community where every student has the chance to stand out, take responsibility, and lead. In addition to leading more than 120 student clubs and campus organizations, "Gettysburgians" are mindful of their responsibilities as global citizens. Nearly 60 percent of the student body pursues at least one of the College's extensive study abroad programs, and many become involved with Gettysburg's Center for Public Service.

Gettysburg College inspires students to be great. From the very first semester, when incoming Gettysburg students take an intensive First-Year Seminar, students analyze, discuss, debate, and present. They often collaborate and conduct research with the College's faculty, and they leave Gettysburg prepared to make discoveries, inspire others, and lead lives of impact.

At Gettysburg, students are "all in;" they engage in a broad range of activities that complement their academics both during the week and on the weekends. With more than 120 student-led clubs and organizations and 24 intercollegiate (NCAA division III) athletic programs, it's not uncommon for students to be involved in as many as three or more organizations. From student government and campus publications, to sports, the fine and performing arts, community service, and outdoor adventure, all clubs and organizations are run by students, creating more than a thousand leadership opportunities on campus. Don't see something you're interested in? Start your own organization!

Students describe their "very interconnected" community as "unmatched," thanks largely to the smaller size and high levels of sociability. "Everybody knows most of the other students from a class taken together, or a club they both attend, or maybe they just go to the gym at the same time." Diversity is important to both students and the school, and there's a lot of appreciation voiced for how the community is "open to different opinions" and "able to have healthy conversations about hard topics." Perhaps that's because students are all "eager to learn about the world beyond their academic area" or because they're "diligent with work and extracurriculars." Whatever the case, "we all click very well."

The work week is, in fact, a work week here. "Almost everyone is studying or doing work at their favorite study space," says one student. But while there's a lot of agreement that "Mondays to Fridays are rigorous," there's also consensus that "then the weekend rolls around." With 95 percent of the student body living on campus, there are lots of ways to stay active, "whether it be in a Greek organization, clubs, athletics, or working on-campus." Sports and Greek life may "dominate the social scene," but there are plenty of other entertainment outlets, like "cool reenactment options." Gettysburg also boasts "all the advantages other more rural schools have, like plenty of space to run, bike, and walk, and a quaint town too."

The school’s Center for Career Engagement provides the digital platforms Handshake and connectGettysburg, which offer access to networks of companies and alumni, respectively. As one enrollee explains, “Many of the alumni have fabulous jobs and want to help [new] graduates get amazing jobs.” The school also helps students plan for the future through a series of Career Exploration programs, including job shadowing, internships and externships, and three-day career immersion trips. Taking place during winter break or after May exams, these trips include site visits, case study presentations, and alumni networking receptions. Assessed together, more than eight thousand opportunities are available because of these programs. To ensure a wide variety of opportunities are available, the school has numerous employer-partners across a wide range of industries. These partners provide panels and information sessions, meet-and-greets, and on-campus interview sessions. Additionally, professors are readily available to discuss career options with students, and they “also write recommendations for students seeking outside opportunities.” Upon graduation, Gettysburg students reported a median starting salary of $68,900 to Payscale.com, with 50 percent finding meaning in their chosen professions.