Some Quaker colleges and universities are among the oldest and most prestigious in the country. Therefore, often people without Quaker origin seek education in these schools. But how do Quaker affiliation affect education at these universities?
Because Quaker colleges and universities were founded by a religious group and are supported by private funds, they are all private institutions. This can affect several aspects of college education for students who choose to attend these schools.
Origin of quaker colleges in USA
As in many other US universities, the original religious affiliation is often unknown. Student demands and societal pressure over the years have made Quaker-based institutions more like other universities. Sports, dance and fraternities / women’s societies, which were initially excluded, have become standard. However, most of them are members of the Association of Friends of Higher Education, thus recognizing their common heritage.
How many quaker colleges and universities are in the US?
There are fifteen Quaker colleges / universities in the United States. They have evolved into a variety of institutions, but some Quaker influence can still be seen. In the nineteenth century, two different directions of Quaker thought profoundly influenced the nature of the new colleges / universities.
Quaker schools are known to incorporate some Quaker practices. These include the tradition of silent meetings and the tradition of joint anti-authoritarian decision-making. Just as the early Quakers developed the practice of gathering together to silently wait for instructions at a quiet meeting, many modern Quakers and most Quaker schools continue the tradition of gathering together in silence.
What is the cost of attending best quaker colleges?
Fortunately, not all Quaker colleges are that expensive. For example, at the University of Friends in Wichita, Kansas, tuition costs about $21,000 a year. Quaker colleges and universities are private institutions, so their tuition costs are usually higher. The advantage is that, despite the higher costs, students who come from abroad will not pay more than their classmates in the state.
If you are going to study at a Quaker college or university, be sure to determine if you can afford to attend this school. Many of these colleges offer generous financial aid packages so don’t rule out any particular school without considering these options.
ALSO CHECK: 10 Best rodeo colleges in 2023 | Requirements & Fees
Best quaker colleges in 2023
· Guilford College
Guilford College was founded by the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) in 1837 as a boarding school for joint study. At first it was for Quakers, but until 1841 it accepted students who were not Quakers. While maintaining its commitment to Quaker values, this institution has become one that serves young people of all religions and those who do not have any religious affiliation.
In the 1880s, the New Garden boarding school became a four-year college of the humanities, and in 1888 moved to Guilford College. It is the oldest college with a joint education in the South, with teachers for both men and women, graduating both men and women in the first grade. .
· Haverford College
Haverford College, although not a sectarian institution, is of Quaker origin, which informs about many aspects of college life. They help make Haverford the special college it is, where the excellence of its academic program is enhanced by its spiritual, moral and ethical dimensions. This is most evident in the close relationships between members of the campus community, in the emphasis on honesty, in the interaction of the individual and the community, and in the college’s concern for how students use their expanding knowledge.
· Earlham College
Earlham’s history begins in 1847, when a group of Quakers sought to promote an education based on respect, honesty, peace, simplicity, and community. Today, the college still embodies these qualities and is consistently among the best national free educational institutions in the country. Earlham is a learning community that inspires and motivates students, using opportunities and experiences for transformation so that they can become catalysts for good in a changing world.
VISIT WEBSITE
· Swarthmore College
Swarthmore College was founded in 1864 by members of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers). Although it has not controlled sectarians since 1908, and now the Friends make up a small minority of students, faculty, and administration, the college still values many of the principles of this society. Chief among these principles is the responsibility of the individual to seek and apply the truth, as well as to verify any truth in which he believes he has found.
As a way of life, Quakerism emphasizes hard work, a simple way of life and generosity, as well as personal honesty, social justice and the peaceful settlement of disputes. The college does not seek to impose on its students this Quaker view of life or any other specific set of beliefs about the nature of things and human responsibilities. However, this encourages ethical and religious concerns about such issues and the continued study of any point of view that may be held on them.
· Bryn Mawr College
Although the college has been non-denominational for most of its history, Bryn Mawr was founded by members of the Religious Society of Friends (“Quakers”). His Quaker legacy can be traced to President Catherine McBride’s expensive, principled stance on behalf of freedom of belief and conscience in the McCarthy era, as well as in the late 1950s and during the Vietnam War, sometimes with financial aid from the College. The College’s commitment to social justice also found many forms of expression on campus, including the founding in 1914 of its Graduate School of Social Work and Social Research, one of the first in the United States, and the deep participation of many current students in community service and social justice.
· Friends University
Friends University continued to function as a Quaker institution until the 1930s, when the school was run by an independent board of trustees. Since then, the university has continued to work in a friendly but independent relationship with the Society of Friends. The University continues to reflect the vision and values of the Quaker founders. This includes offering transformational education that honors God and places special value on each person, illuminating the light of God’s love for our community and the world.
In 1985, the University of Friends began offering a new degree program for adults wishing to earn a bachelor’s degree while maintaining a busy life. In 1986, the university received permission to offer two new master’s programs. Two years after the degree programs began, the University began offering these programs elsewhere in Kansas.
· Wilmington College
Wilmington College is a private college in Wilmington, Ohio. It was founded by Quakers in 1870 and accredited by the Commission on Higher Education. Wilmington College is known for its agricultural program, sports training program and educational program.
Wilmington College sports teams are known as the Quaker Fighters. Their colors are dark green and light green. Quakers compete at the NCAA Division III level and have been members of the Athletic Conference (OAC) since 2000. Wilmington College offers quality practical education in disciplines such as agriculture, sports education, occupational therapy and more.
· Malone University
Malone University is a Christian educational institution associated with the Quaker movement in Canton, Ohio. Founded in 1892, the training originally took place in a rented home in Cleveland, the state’s largest city. In 1957 it became the Christian Free College of Arts. Malone University is named after Walter and Emma Malone, a Quaker couple who founded the institution in 1892. Granting the status of a university in 2008 led to the institution receiving its current name instead of Malone College.
Its campus covers 96 acres and consists of four schools and colleges, and its online programs are highly regarded. Kinesiology, exercise science and business administration are some of the most popular of Malone’s 100 available courses. There are also options for accelerated learning programs.VISIT WEBSITE
