From the School
More than one hundred years ago, Meredith College opened with just over 200 women. Today, our student body has grown to include nearly 2,000 students, and we're nationally ranked. In fact, we've been named one of America's Best Colleges according to U.S. News, Forbes, and Princeton Review.
Meredith College is located in Raleigh, North Carolina's capital city. More than 115,000 college students reside in Raleigh and the Research Triangle Park area, the country's premiere research and development hub. Meredith's historic 225-acre campus includes a 1,200 seat amphitheater, seven residence halls and student apartments, student center, fitness center, athletic field and track complex.
In addition to providing recent graduates with strong job prospects, Raleigh's thriving local economy gives students the opportunity to receive valuable experience through powerful internships, which are available for all majors. Study abroad options for students include a semester-long program in Sansepolcro, Italy, with additional opportunities worldwide including Costa Rica, Iceland, and France.
At Meredith, our StrongPoints® program is a unique personal coaching model through which students identify their strengths and then build on them to prepare for the lives they want to lead after they graduate. More than 80 majors, minors, and academic programs give students a wide range of options for areas of study, and committed faculty help students make the most of their strong potential.
So what's the result of a Meredith education? Over the past five years, 92.2% of graduates are employed or pursuing graduate study within a few short months of graduation and 96% of our alumnae would choose Meredith again.
Overall
From The School
Meredith expects applicants to have taken a challenging academic program which may include honors, advanced placement or international baccalaureate level work. A holistic review of applications is completed in an effort to give balanced consideration to the whole person rather than adhering to strict test score or GPA cutoffs.
Application Deadlines:
Early Decision (binding): October 30
Early Action: December 1
Regular Decision: February 15
Application Requirements:
Application (The Common Application or the Meredith Application) with essay School transcript
ACT or SAT score
School Official Report (from your school counselor)
Teacher recommendation (optional)
Zeemee profile (optional)
Overview
Applicants
1,936
Acceptance Rate
65%
Average HS GPA
3.41
GPA Breakdown
24%
Over 3.75
20%
3.50 - 3.74
22%
3.25 - 3.49
15%
3.00 - 3.24
14%
2.50 - 2.99
3%
2.00 - 2.49
Need to boost your grades? We can help.
Learn MoreSAT & ACT Test Scores
SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing
25th-75th percentile
(enrolled students)
(enrolled students)
520 - 620
SAT Math
25th-75th percentile
(enrolled students)
(enrolled students)
500 - 600
ACT Composite Scores
25th-75th percentile (enrolled students)
18 - 25
Testing Policies
Yes
Yes
ACT Writing Policy
ACT with or without Writing accepted
SAT Essay Policy
SAT with or without Writing accepted
Deadlines
Early Decision — October 30
Early Action — December 1
Regular — February 15
Other Admission Factors
Academic
Academic GPA
Application Essay
Recommendation(s)
Non-Academic
Character / Personal Qualities
Selectivity Rating
Get a personalized plan for a competitive application from an admissions expert.
Learn MoreOverall
From The School
Academic Programs
Meredith's professors know you're as strong as you think. And while they publish articles in leading academic journals, present at global conferences, and win national and international awards, they are as passionate about teaching as they are about scholarship. Our professors will help you discern your strengths, academic and personal, and then help you develop ways to build on them. That approach affects the kind of college experience you'll have and the kind of life you'll lead. Meredith's business school is one of two women's colleges worldwide to hold AACSB accreditation. Additionally, interior design, music, and social work hold the highest accreditations available. These top accreditations speak to the community's commitment to academic excellence across the curriculum.
Meredith College is a designated STEM Jobs Approved College by Victory Media, the creator of STEM Jobs media, education and career resources for students interested in science, technology, engineering and math.
Meredith's dual degree engineering program in partnership with North Carolina State University's College of Engineering prepares students with the important critical thinking and communication skills of a liberal arts degree and engineering professional skills – the best of two worlds.
Our StrongPoints® program, a distinctive advising and personal coaching program based on the unique strengths of each student focuses on creating plans for success in four areas: academic, experiential learning, career or graduate school preparation, and financial literacy.
Majors and Degrees Offered
Accounting – Business Administration
Art Education
Art-Graphic Design
Art-Studio
Biology
Business Administration
Human Resource Management
Marketing
Chemistry
Child Development
Communication
Interpersonal Communication
Mass Communication
Public Relations
Computer Science
Criminology
Dance
Dance Education
Private Studio Teaching
Economics
Education
Engineering*
English
Environmental Sustainability
Exercise & Sports Science
Health & Physical Education
Health & Wellness
Family & Consumer Sciences
Fashion Merchandising & Design
Design
Merchandising
Food & Nutrition
Dietetics
Food Systems & Management
History
Hospitality Management
Culinary Management
Hotel and Lodging
Event Planning
Interior Design
International Studies
Mathematics
Music
Music Education
Political Science
Pre-Law
Public Affairs
Psychology
Public Health
Religious & Ethical Studies
Self-Designed
Social Work
Sociology
Spanish
Theatre
Musical Theatre
* Engineering offered as a dual degree (Chemistry or Mathematics) program with NC State University (Chemistry/Chemical Engineering, Chemistry/Environmental Engineering, Mathematics/Biomedical Engineering, Mathematics/Civil Engineering, Mathematics/Computer Engineering, Mathematics/Electrical Engineering, Mathematics/Industrial Engineering, Mathematics/Mechanical Engineering)
Minors:
Accounting
Applied Mathematics
Art History
Arts Management
Biology
Business Administration
Chemical Physics
Chemistry
Child Development
Communication
Criminology
Dance
Economics
English
Entrepreneurship and Family Business
Environmental Sustainability
Ethics & the Public Interest
Event Planning
Exercise & Sports Science
Family & Consumer Sciences
Fashion Design
Fashion Merchandising
Finance
Food & Nutrition
Forensic Studies
French
Geoscience
Graphic Design
History
Hospitality Management
Human Resource Management
Interior Design
International Business
International Studies
Italian Studies
Marketing
Mathematics
Mathematics/Computer Applications
Medieval & Early Modern Studies
Music
Photography
Political Science
Pre-Law
Professional Writing & Presentation Media
Psychology
Public Health
Public History
Religious and Ethical Studies
Social Work
Sociology
Spanish
Statistics
Studio Art
Theatre
Web Development
Pre-professional Programs:
Pre-Dentistry
Pre-Law
Pre-Medicine
Pre-Nursing
Pre-Optometry
Pre-Pharmacy
Pre-Physical Therapy
Pre-Physician Assistant
Pre-Veterinary Medicine
Faculty and Class Information
Student/Faculty
11:1
Total Faculty
217
with Terminal Degree
146
154
Women
63
Men
23
Minority
Most frequent class size
2 - 9
Most frequent lab / sub section size
2 - 9
Graduation Rates
Graduate in 4 years
55%
Graduate in 5 years
61%
Graduate in 6 years
61%
Majors
-
BIOLOGICAL AND BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES.
Biology/Biological Sciences, General.
-
BUSINESS, MANAGEMENT, MARKETING, AND RELATED SUPPORT SERVICES.
Accounting.
Business/Commerce, General.
-
COMMUNICATION, JOURNALISM, AND RELATED PROGRAMS.
Mass Communication/Media Studies.
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication.
Speech Communication and Rhetoric.
-
COMPUTER AND INFORMATION SCIENCES AND SUPPORT SERVICES.
Computer Science.
-
EDUCATION.
Art Teacher Education.
Drama and Dance Teacher Education.
Music Teacher Education.
Physical Education Teaching and Coaching.
-
ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE/LETTERS.
English Language and Literature, General.
-
FAMILY AND CONSUMER SCIENCES/HUMAN SCIENCES.
Child Development.
Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, General.
Foods, Nutrition, and Wellness Studies, General.
-
FOREIGN LANGUAGES, LITERATURES, AND LINGUISTICS.
Spanish Language and Literature.
-
HEALTH PROFESSIONS AND RELATED PROGRAMS.
Public Health, General.
-
HISTORY.
History, General.
-
MATHEMATICS AND STATISTICS.
Mathematics, General.
-
MULTI/INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES.
International/Global Studies.
-
NATURAL RESOURCES AND CONSERVATION.
Environmental Studies.
-
PARKS, RECREATION, LEISURE, AND FITNESS STUDIES.
Health and Physical Education/Fitness, General.
-
PHILOSOPHY AND RELIGIOUS STUDIES.
Religion/Religious Studies.
-
PHYSICAL SCIENCES.
Chemistry, General.
-
PSYCHOLOGY.
Psychology, General.
-
PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION AND SOCIAL SERVICE PROFESSIONS.
Social Work.
-
SOCIAL SCIENCES.
American Government and Politics (United States).
Economics, General.
International Relations and Affairs.
Political Science and Government, General.
Sociology.
-
VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS.
Dance, General.
Drama and Dramatics/Theatre Arts, General.
Dramatic/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft, Other.
Fashion/Apparel Design.
Fine/Studio Arts, General.
Graphic Design.
Interior Design.
Music.
Students Say
The all-female Meredith College aims to “build strong, independent women willing and able to go into the workplace confidently.” Students who were once discouraged from stepping into positions of leadership report that’s not the case here: You’ll “discover your strengths and how to use them,” with classes “designed to make you think” and which “are beneficial to your Meredith career as well as in real life.” That goal is brought to fruition by professors who are described as “amazing,” “wonderful,” and “passionate about what they teach.” They “know you by name and want to get to know you,” which is facilitated by the school’s smaller class sizes. In fact, students assure us that “it’s hard not to pay attention in classes” thanks to the level of excitement professors bring to the material. In all, this “challenging but comfortable” learning environment serves to “push you . . . to help you grow.” As one pleased undergrad tells us, “My favorite part of Meredith is going to class.”
Degrees
Bachelor's
Master's
Post-Bachelor's certificate
Master's
Post-Bachelor's certificate
Career Services
On-Campus Job Interviews Available
Yes
Career Services
Alumni Network
Alumni Services
Classes
Interest Inventory
Internships
Opportunities at School
Coop
Experiential
Internship
Notable Faculty
Prominent Alumni
Betsy Cochrane
Fomer N.C. State Senator
Sarah Parker
N.C. Supreme Court Justice
Margaret Currin
First woman US Attorney in N.C.
Judy Woodruff
Anchor and Correspondent for CNN
Dr. Phyllis Trible
Theologian
Beth Leavel
Broadway Actress
Silda Wall
President and Co-Founder of Children for Children
Academic Rating
80/99
Graduation Rates
Graduate in 4 years
55%
Graduate in 5 years
61%
Graduate in 6 years
61%
Career Services
On-Campus Job Interviews Available
Yes
Career Services
Alumni Network
Alumni Services
Classes
Interest Inventory
Internships
Opportunities at School
Coop
Experiential
Internship
ROI & Outcomes
Overview
From The School
Tuition, Room, Board and Fees
You already know this investment is important–that's why you're looking at Meredith. And we know that the cost of college is a key consideration for you and your family – most families will not pay full cost to attend Meredith. With aid packages including merit and need-based scholarships, grants, and loans, our professional financial aid counselors will work with you and your family to develop a plan to pay for your education.
Our record speaks for itself: Over the past five years, 92.2% of graduates are employed or pursuing graduate study within a few short months of graduation. That's just one reason we're nationally ranked as a top-tier liberal arts college by U.S. News and World Report.
2018-2019 Full-time tuition and fees= $37,076 plus $100 activity fee; Room and Board = $10,930. Total cost = $48,106. Students are also required to show proof of health insurance or purchase Meredith's student health insurance. Fall semester tuition is due on August 1. Spring semester tuition is due on December 1. Or, students may opt to take advantage of Meredith's 5 payments per semester tuition payment plan.
Financial Aid
All new students are considered for academic merit scholarships or tuition grants at time of admission. No additional application is required. Grants and scholarships range from $16,000-$21,000 and are renewable annually.
Additionally, financial aid programs are available for students with demonstrated need. U.S. citizens should submit the FAFSA. These grant programs, which do not need to be repaid, include Federal Pell Grants that range from $606 to $5,920; Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants that range from $100 to $4,000; The maximum North Carolina Legislative Tuition Grant, available to full-time students who are legal residents of the state, is $7,640.
Non U.S. citizens should submit Meredith's Application for Institutional Aid for International and Undocumented Students.
Dates
Application Deadlines
Notification Date
Mar 1
Required Forms
FAFSA
Financial Aid Statistics
Average Freshman Total Need-Based Gift Aid
$28,785
Average Undergraduate Total Need-Based Gift Aid
$27,004
Average Need-Based Loan
$4,458
Undergraduates who have borrowed through any loan program
70%
Average amount of loan debt per graduate
$35,496
Financial aid provided to international students
No
Expenses per Academic Year
Tuition
$39,832
Required Fees
$120
Average Cost for Books and Supplies
$850
Tuition / Fees Vary by Year of Study
No
Board for Commuters
$3,600
Transportation for Commuters
$590
On-Campus Room and Board
$11,746
Comprehensive Fee
Available Aid
Financial Aid Methodology
Federal
Scholarships and Grants
Need-Based
Need-Based College/University Scholarship or Grant Aid from Institutional Funds
Need-Based Federal Pell
Need-Based Private Scholarships
Need-Based SEOG
Need-Based State Scholarships
Non-Need-Based
Institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid is available
Federal Direct Student Loan Programs
Direct PLUS Loans
Direct Subsidized Stafford Loans
Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans
Direct Subsidized Stafford Loans
Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans
Federal Family Education Loan Programs (FFEL)
Is Institutional Employment Available (other than Federal Work Study)
No
Direct Lender
No
Financial Aid Rating
77/99
Overall
From The School
At Meredith, getting involved in life outside the classroom is just as important as studying hard. Our athletes participate in eight NCAA Division III sports. You can join a club (over 100 clubs) or foster school pride and class unity by organizing time-honored traditions. Help run our student government association. Engage with nonprofits and other organizations through community-based learning. Direct service projects. Develop your leadership skills through nationally-recognized programs like the LeaderShape® Institute. Big opportunities await!
Student Body Profile
Total Undergraduate Enrollment
1,528
Foreign Countries Represented
24
Demographics
3.61%
Asian
8.63%
African-American
9.57%
Hispanic
67.42%
Caucasian
5.22%
Unknown
1.34%
International
100% female
0% male
14% are out of state
96% are full time
4% are part time
Students Say
Undergrads at Meredith feel “bound by the school’s traditions and by [their sense of] sisterhood.” Overall, it’s a “very close-knit community” where the “prime trait … is being very supportive of one another.” While plenty comment that they’re able to interact with people from a variety of backgrounds (including non-traditional students who enroll later in life), race, and political beliefs, many also note that their peers feel “mostly white,” and that they hail from affluent backgrounds. Don’t let that fool you, though: The school is “becoming more diverse with every new class,” and one shares, “I feel like I meet unique and impressive people every class I have.” And no matter what crowd you’re drawn towards, “it’s easy to create strong friendships at Meredith.”
Overview
From The School
Location
Meredith’s ideal location means you’ll connect with opportunities for research, internships, and career development. We’re 10 minutes from the State Capitol, the State Legislative Building, and the State Archives. We’re only minutes away from Research Triangle Park (RTP), where our students intern, conduct research, and accept permanent jobs. And we’re within 30 minutes of some of the nation’s other leading universities where our students collaborate in world-class research programs.
Our 225-acre campus nestled in a park-like setting features classic collegiate architecture surrounded by stunning gardens and lush greenspace. So green, you might forget you’re in a city. Visit campus and take a tour of Meredith’s academic buildings. Visit our exceptionally comfortable residence halls, including the newest LEED-certified apartments for upper-level students or walk the greenway trail that connects campus to our neighbor, the North Carolina Museum of Art.
Campus Facilities & Equipment
Meredith's 225-acre campus includes a 1,200-seat amphitheater, seven residence halls, a music library, art galleries, a research greenhouse, music practice rooms, auditoriums, a theater, concert halls, a student center, computer labs, a child care lab, a learning center, an autism lab, an astronomy observation deck, a fitness center, a dance studio, lighted tennis courts, a putting green, a new athletic field and track and two miles of greenway connecting our campus to the community.
Carlyle Campbell Library has over 190,000 volumes, 16,000 microforms and journal subscriptions with access to articles from more than 27,000 journals, magazines and newspapers online.
With over 80,000 square feet of space, the science and mathematics building includes unique classroom settings, specialized labs and a telescope observatory deck.
Off-Campus Opportunities
College isn’t just about what comes after you graduate–it’s also a time to branch out and explore. Our location in the top-ranked city of Raleigh is your perfect launching pad. It’s easy to get around, people are friendly, and there’s always something happening.
Head downtown to a food truck roundup. Attend a concert – no matter what kind of music you like, top artists come here. Take in a college football or basketball game, or visit one of the local award-winning museums. If you’re up for a road trip, the beach and mountains are an easy drive as are cities like Washington D.C., Atlanta GA., and Richmond, VA. The sky’s the limit–along with your personal sense of adventure.
Campus Life
Undergrads living on campus
53%
Help finding off-campus housing
No
89/99
First-Year Students living on campus
81%
Campus Environment
Large Urban
71/99
Housing Options
Apartment Single
Dorms Female
Students Say
Because of the rigor of the school’s curriculum, the women of Meredith often find they “often don’t have time for much more” than studying. Their additional time is typically “composed of workouts [or] practices,” as many choose to participate in athletics on top of their schoolwork. They also almost universally praise the Big Sister/Little Sister program on campus, calling it “amazing” and a “wonderful tradition.” Those students with any free time left make the most of the campus’s “beautiful and … ideal location” and note that Raleigh itself is “a great city to live in.” There’s “always so much to do”: sporting events, concerts, museums, a state fair, and farmers markets just to name a few. However, students warn that Meredith has some “strict dorm rules,” so those looking for nightlife often head to Raleigh for that as well, especially over the weekend, where “most fun has to be found off campus” at schools like North Carolina State, which is “right down the road.”
Special Needs Admissions
Director
Beth Meier
College Entrance Tests Required
No
Interview Required
No
Special Need Services Offered
Student Activities
Registered Student Organizations
100
Number of Honor Societies
28
Number of Social Sororities
0
Number of Religious Organizations
8
Sports
Athletic Division
Division III
Men's Sports ()
0 Sports
Women's Sports (Avenging Angels)
8 Sports
Basketball
Cross Country
Lacrosse
Soccer
Softball
Tennis
Track Field Outdoor
Volleyball
Cross Country
Lacrosse
Soccer
Softball
Tennis
Track Field Outdoor
Volleyball
Student Services
Health
LGBT Support Groups
Minority Support Groups
Army ROTC Offered at cooperating institutions: North Carolina State Univ.
Air Force ROTC Offered at cooperating institutions: North Carolina State Univ.
LGBT Support Groups
Minority Support Groups
Army ROTC Offered at cooperating institutions: North Carolina State Univ.
Air Force ROTC Offered at cooperating institutions: North Carolina State Univ.
Sustainability
64/99
Campus Security Report
Campus Security Report
The Jeanne Clery Act requires colleges and universities to disclose their security policies, keep a public crime log, publish an annual crime report and provide timely warnings to students and campus employees about a crime posing an immediate or ongoing threat to students and campus employees.
Please visit The Princeton Review’s page on campus safety for additional resources: http://www.princetonreview.com/safety
The Princeton Review publishes links directly to each school's Campus Security Reports where available. Applicants can also access all school-specific campus safety information using the Campus Safety and Security Data Analysis Cutting Tool provided by the Office of Postsecondary Education of the U.S. Department of Education: http://ope.ed.gov/security
Other Information
Campus-wide Internet Network
Yes
% of Classrooms with Wireless Internet
100
Fee for Network Use
No
Personal computer included in tuition for each student
No
Discounts Available with Hardware Vendors
No
Campus Visits Contact
Contact
Shery Boyles
Director of Admissions
Director of Admissions
Address
Office of Admissions
3800 Hillsborough Street
Raleigh, NC 27607
3800 Hillsborough Street
Raleigh, NC 27607
Phone
919-760-8581
Email
admissions@meredith.edu
Experience College Life
Most Popular Places On Campus
Science and Math Building
Cate Student Center/Bee Hive (snack bar)
Lowery Fitness Center
Elizabeth Triplett Beam Fountain Plaza
Cate Student Center/Bee Hive (snack bar)
Lowery Fitness Center
Elizabeth Triplett Beam Fountain Plaza
Most Popular Places Off Campus
North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences
North Carolina Museum of Arts
PNC Events Arena
William Umstead State Park
Cameron Shopping Village
North Carolina Museum of Arts
PNC Events Arena
William Umstead State Park
Cameron Shopping Village
Campus Tours
Campus Visiting Center
M-F; S
8-5; 10-12
919-760-8581
8-5; 10-12
919-760-8581
Campus Tours
Appointment Required: Yes
Dates: Year-round
Times: Monday – Friday 9:00 am and 1:00 pm, Saturday – 10:00am
Average Length: 2 hours
Dates: Year-round
Times: Monday – Friday 9:00 am and 1:00 pm, Saturday – 10:00am
Average Length: 2 hours
On Campus Interview
Campus Interviews
Yes
Information Sessions
Available
Times
Monday – Friday 9:00 am and 1:00 pm, Saturday – 10:00am
Faculty and Coach Visits
Dates/Times Available
Academic Year
Arrangements
Contact Admissions Office
Advance Notice
1 week
Contact Email Address for Visit
admissions@meredith.edu
Class Visits
Dates/Times Available
Academic Year
Arrangements
Contact Admissions Office
Overnight Dorm Stays
Overnight Dorm Stays
Available
Arrangements
Contact Admissions Office
Limitations
During academic year when school is in session.
Transportation
Types of Transportation Available to Campus
The Raleigh-Durham International Airport, served by all major airlines, is only 8 miles from the Meredith College campus. The Amtrak train station is conveniently located 3.5 miles from campus, as well as the Greyhound bus station. Taxi services are also available to transport students from these stations to campus.
Driving Instructions to Campus
All directions below guide you to the Hillsborough Street/Meredith College exit off I-440. Take that exit (#3), turn left onto Hillsborough Street, then turn left at the second traffic light into the main entrance to the campus. Johnson Hall is straight ahead. There are signs and an information booth for help in locating other facilities.
* From Highway 70 West: Exit onto I-440 South (US 1 and 64 West); take I-440 to Exit #3.
* From Highway 70 East and I-40 East: From 70 East, take I-40 West. Follow I-40/440 West to Exit 293. I-40 East travelers, take I-40/440 West as well. At Exit 293, take I-440 North to Exit #3.
* From I-40 West-West of Raleigh, follow the Wade Avenue Exit (#289). At the I-440 junction, take I-440 South; stay in right hand lane and take the next exit (#3).
* From US 1 South and 64 West- 64 West travelers take US 1 North. US 1 will become I-440 North. Follow it to Exit #3.
* From US 64 East- At the I-440 junction, take I-440 North. Follow it around the western part of the city to Exit #3.
* From US 1 North and 401 North- At the I-440 junction, take I-440 West to Exit #3.
* From US 401 South- Take I-440 South; follow I-440 to Exit 293, which becomes I-440 North. Take I-440 North to Exit #3.
