Updated: Thursday, March 13, 2025
Single-gender colleges — institutions that exclusively admit either male or female students — are often praised for their ability to empower and inspire confidence in their students. However, students may also miss out on some benefits and experiences offered by coeducational institutions. Learn more about the pros and cons to determine if a single-gender education is right for you.
As you’re figuring out how to choose a college that meets your needs and goals, you may want to research single-gender institutions. These colleges still hold significance for many students, despite the trend moving toward more inclusive and diverse educational environments.
Women’s colleges continue to be valued for their supportive environments and focus on women’s leadership and empowerment. They often attract students who seek a community that emphasizes gender equality and personal growth. All-male colleges, while less common, focus on traditions, brotherhood, and leadership development.
Traditional colleges and universities far outnumber single-sex colleges. However, if you are looking for a school that offers an excellent education, long-standing traditions, a close-knit campus community, and a strong alumni network, don’t rule out these schools.
Historically, colleges and universities admitted only men for centuries. Now, only four all-male colleges currently exist in the U.S.
Founded in 1832, Wabash College is a nationally ranked liberal arts college offering 36 majors and minors as well as pre-med, pre-law, and a dual-degree program in engineering. Students can also enroll in a pipeline accounting program for admission to the M.S. in Accounting program at Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business.
Hampden-Sydney College is the 10th oldest postsecondary institution in the U.S., founded in 1775. Students can choose from among 27 majors and 26 minors. The curriculum is centered around the Rhetoric Program — coursework that helps students develop skills in presentational speaking and argumentative and analytical writing.
Morehouse College is one of 107 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Students, known as Morehouse Men, have 33 majors to choose from across a variety of disciplines. Founded in 1867, Morehouse boasts many well-known alumni, including Martin Luther King Jr., Spike Lee, Samuel L. Jackson, and Raphael Warnock.
Founded in 1857, St. John’s University is a Catholic institution offering more than 70 areas of study. While St. John’s traditions, residence halls, and athletic programs are exclusive to men, the university’s integration with the neighboring College of Saint Benedict — a women’s institution — allows for coeducational learning.
Women have more options when it comes to single-gender colleges. According to the Women’s College Coalition, 30 women’s colleges were still in operation in the U.S. as of 2023. Here are just a few of the more popular women’s colleges.
Founded in 1881, Spelman College has been the highest-ranked HBCU by U.S. News for several years. This small liberal arts college offers 36 majors and 39 minors in the humanities, arts, social sciences, mathematics, and science. Notable alumnae include Stacey Abrams, Alice Walker, Keshia Knight Pulliam, and Bernice King.
Barnard College was founded in 1889 to provide a rigorous education for women equal to the curriculum at Columbia University. Today, Barnard students can cross-register at Columbia. Barnard’s unique curriculum, known as Foundations, includes coursework in the arts and sciences as well as Modes of Thinking.
Founded in 1870, Wellesley College is recognized as a top women’s college globally. Students can choose from over 50 programs of study that include liberal arts and STEM education, and there are opportunities to work on graduate-level research with faculty mentors as well as co-author papers and present at conferences.
Bryn Mawr College, which was founded in 1885, is known for its rigorous liberal arts curriculum as well as being the first women’s college to offer graduate programs. Students, known as Mawrters, have more than 35 majors to choose from in the arts, sciences, social sciences, and humanities.
Part of the Claremont Colleges Consortium, Scripps College was founded in 1926 and is known for having one of the most beautiful campuses in the U.S. Students can choose among 65 majors across all the Claremont Colleges, including liberal arts and STEM disciplines.
Single-gender colleges offer several benefits that you may not get with traditional colleges. For starters, students may find it easier to concentrate on their studies because there are fewer distractions. Let’s look at a few benefits offered by single-gender colleges.
Because single-gender colleges are small, students tend to form a close-knit campus community that promotes strong support networks and lifelong friendships. But this sense of community does not end at graduation — single-gender colleges typically have dedicated alumni who maintain ties to the school and provide networking opportunities to students.
All-male colleges provide support systems specifically designed to address the unique challenges faced by male students, who often fall behind due to slower cognitive development, a lack of positive male role models, and anti-male bias in traditional classrooms. These colleges promote strong bonds and brotherhood, which provide emotional and social support that helps students succeed.
At all-female colleges, students feel empowered to take on leadership roles, and offer specialized programs and workshops that promote and develop leadership skills. Additionally, students have access to female role models and mentors who can guide them and help shape their careers.
While students enjoy some unique benefits of attending a single-gender college, they may also discover some potential drawbacks.
It’s an issue of some debate whether single-gender schools perpetuate gender stereotypes, and studies haven’t been conclusive on this topic. Whichever side you’re on, it’s worth keeping in mind that single-gender schools limit students’ exposure to coed environments, which may harm them once they transition to professional life.
Diversity in college admissions is important, since students benefit from exposure to different viewpoints and experiences in terms of personal and professional growth. Single-gender colleges may promote diversity in many ways, but a lack of gender diversity deprives students of the perspectives, thoughts, and behaviors they would encounter in a coed environment.
While many single-gender schools promote inclusive environments for LGBTQ+ students, non-binary and transgender students may face unique challenges. For example, trans students may not feel comfortable in locker rooms and restrooms. Non-binary students may feel pressured to conform to the dominant gender identity of the institution. Students may wish to research LGBTQ+ friendly schools to find their best fit.
Many students thrive at single-gender colleges, but it is not the right choice for every student. If you are just starting your college search, a college admissions expert can be an invaluable resource. IvyWise college admissions counselors get to know you so they can identify the best-fit colleges for your needs and goals — including schools you may not have heard of. Find out how we can help you achieve college admissions success.
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Students who are interested in attending a liberal arts college have a lot of options — just over 200 private institutions in the U.S., not to mention the liberal arts programs at many larger universities. All liberal arts schools specialize in a multidisciplinary curriculum, which can be a good choice for intellectually curious students with varied academic interests. Read on to learn about the 25 liberal arts schools that are popular with IvyWise students and what each has to offer.
