The New American Colleges and Universities

Integrating liberal arts, professional preparation, and civic engagement

What does it mean to be a New American campus?

The New American Colleges & Universities (NACU) are 25+ private, small- to medium-sized institutions in the U.S., all providing different environments and experiences, but with one common thread – a commitment to a unique educational experience that combines liberal arts, professional preparation, and civic engagement.

This approach prepares students for adaptability in their careers and a lifetime of engaged citizenship grounded in the ability to think creatively, critically, and ethically.

Liberal Arts
Liberal Arts

A broad-based liberal arts background allows students to develop the communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills that employers seek and remain adaptable in an ever-changing job market and global economy.

A broad-based liberal arts background allows students to develop the communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills that employers seek and remain adaptable in an ever-changing job market and global economy.

Professional Preparation
Professional Preparation

Students at NACU campuses connect the classroom to the real world through coursework, internships, and other methods, so they graduate with specific skills and experience needed for their chosen profession.

Students at NACU campuses connect the classroom to the real world through coursework, internships, and other methods, so they graduate with specific skills and experience needed for their chosen profession.

Civic Engagement
Civic Engagement

Through community engagement, service learning, and campus leadership opportunities, NACU institutions help students achieve a sense of fulfillment by applying their skills to help others or find solutions to issues in our world.

Through community engagement, service learning, and campus leadership opportunities, NACU institutions help students achieve a sense of fulfillment by applying their skills to help others or find solutions to issues in our world.

A private education can be affordable.
$28,000
Median net price tuition
(2019)
86%*
Average percent of first year students receiving institutional grant aid
*At all but three institutions, 96% or more of students received institutional grant aid in 2018-19.
Fast Facts About NACU Campuses
2,500
Median number of full-time undergraduate students enrolled
22%
Median minority undergraduate enrollment
81%
Median freshmen to sophomore retention rate
13 to 1
Faculty to student ratio
Statistics based on 2020-21 campus data.

Participating Colleges & Universities

NACU campuses are private, comprehensive institutions that purposefully integrate liberal arts, professional preparation, and civic engagement. They connect their students with their communities to ensure that students can apply classroom knowledge beyond the campus and understand their roles as responsible citizens.

Belmont University

Nashville, TN

California Lutheran University

Thousand Oaks, CA

Calvin University

Grand Rapids, MI

Carroll College

Helena, MT

Chatham University

Pittsburgh, PA

Drury University

Springfield, MO

Florida Southern College

Lakeland, FL

Hamline University

St. Paul, MN

Hampton University

Hampton, VA

Hood College

Fredericksburg, MD

Linfield University

McMinnville, OR

Manhattan College

Bronx, NY

Merrimack College

Boston, MA

Moravian University

Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

Nazareth University

Rochester, NY

North Central College

Naperville, IL

Ohio Northern University

Ada, Ohio

Queens University of Charlotte

Charlotte, NC

Russell Sage College

Troy and Albany, NY

Saint Xavier University

Chicago, IL

Simmons University

Boston, MA

St. Mary's University

San Antonio, TX

Tuskegee University

Tuskegee, AL

University of La Verne

La Verne, CA

University of New Haven

New Haven, CT

Virginia Wesleyan University

Norfolk, VA

Wagner College

New York, NY