Among the nation's 3,200 colleges and universities, approximately 720 are small, independent institutions. They enroll 3,000 or fewer students, grant the baccalaureate degree, and stress the liberal arts. They are governed by independent boards of trustees, are beholden neither to state nor federal authorities, and are free to act as they see fit. By consciously remaining small, wisely using available resources, and hewing steadfastly to their mission, small college have sustained themselves since the earliest times of the Republic. Today, America's small colleges are a vital component in higher education.
Small size is a proven success story.
These are the reasons. Small colleges focus on the education of the undergraduate student. This is an arrow-straight mission, unencumbered by the demands of faculty research grants and undiffused by a proliferation of public service activities. Teaching comes first. Of course, faculty at small colleges carry out research - much of it distinguished.