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Colleges of Distinction: Massachusetts

Mount Holyoke College

South Hadley, Massachusetts

At Mount Holyoke, students are empowered to explore boldly, and lead with purpose. As one of the first women’s colleges in the country, Mount Holyoke emphasizes inclusive academic excellence, hands-on learning, and interdisciplinary exploration. In classrooms and residence halls alike, students engage with diverse perspectives and build meaningful cross-cultural connections.

With support from dedicated faculty, staff, peers, and an engaged alum network, you’ll be encouraged to pursue your passions and define your own path. Mount Holyoke cultivates bold leaders in a close-knit, intellectually vibrant community, setting the stage for a life of purpose and impact.

Get to know Mount Holyoke College

2,169
Degree-Seeking Undergraduates
Enrolled female students
100%
 
Enrolled male students
0%
 
Gender Ratio
Full-time students
100%
 
Part-time students
0%
 
Full-time to Part-time Ratio
-0%1%2%3%4%5%6%7%8%9%10%11%12%13%14%15%16%17%18%19%20%21%22%23%24%25%26%27%28%29%30%31%32%33%34%35%36%37%38%39%40%41%42%43%44%45%46%47%48%49%50%51%52%53%54%55%56%57%58%59%60%61%62%63%64%65%66%67%68%69%70%71%72%73%74%75%76%77%78%79%80%81%82%83%84%85%86%87%88%89%90%91%92%93%94%95%96%97%98%99%100%
Retention rate
Full-time faculty
80%
 
Adjuncts
20%
 
Faculty Ratio
9:1
Student/teacher ratio
$67,782
Full-time tuition cost
-0%1%2%3%4%5%6%7%8%9%10%11%12%13%14%15%16%17%18%19%20%21%22%23%24%25%26%27%28%29%30%31%32%33%34%35%36%37%38%39%40%41%42%43%44%45%46%47%48%49%50%51%52%53%54%55%56%57%58%59%60%61%62%63%64%65%66%67%68%69%70%71%72%73%74%75%76%77%78%79%80%81%82%83%84%85%86%87%88%89%90%91%92%93%94%95%96%97%98%99%100%
6-year graduation rate
-0%1%2%3%4%5%6%7%8%9%10%11%12%13%14%15%16%17%18%19%20%21%22%23%24%25%26%27%28%29%30%31%32%33%34%35%36%37%38%39%40%41%42%43%44%45%46%47%48%49%50%51%52%53%54%55%56%57%58%59%60%61%62%63%64%65%66%67%68%69%70%71%72%73%74%75%76%77%78%79%80%81%82%83%84%85%86%87%88%89%90%91%92%93%94%95%96%97%98%99%100%
Acceptance rate
-0%1%2%3%4%5%6%7%8%9%10%11%12%13%14%15%16%17%18%19%20%21%22%23%24%25%26%27%28%29%30%31%32%33%34%35%36%37%38%39%40%41%42%43%44%45%46%47%48%49%50%51%52%53%54%55%56%57%58%59%60%61%62%63%64%65%66%67%68%69%70%71%72%73%74%75%76%77%78%79%80%81%82%83%84%85%86%87%88%89%90%91%92%93%94%95%96%97%98%99%100%
Out-of-state students
-0%1%2%3%4%5%6%7%8%9%10%11%12%13%14%15%16%17%18%19%20%21%22%23%24%25%26%27%28%29%30%31%32%33%34%35%36%37%38%39%40%41%42%43%44%45%46%47%48%49%50%51%52%53%54%55%56%57%58%59%60%61%62%63%64%65%66%67%68%69%70%71%72%73%74%75%76%77%78%79%80%81%82%83%84%85%86%87%88%89%90%91%92%93%94%95%96%97%98%99%100%
Full-time faculty w/ terminal degree

Benefits

Student Activities

Student Activities

  • Campus Ministries
  • Choral groups
  • Dance
  • Drama/theatre
  • International Student Organization
  • Jazz band
  • Literary magazine
  • Model UN
  • Music ensembles
  • Musical theatre
  • Radio station
  • Student government
  • Student newspaper
  • Student-run film society
  • Symphony orchestra
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High-Impact Practices

High-Impact Practices

  • First-Year Seminars and Experiences
  • Common Intellectual Experiences
  • Learning Communities
  • Writing-Intensive Courses
  • Collaborative Assignments and Projects
  • Undergraduate Research
  • Diversity/Global Learning
  • Service-Learning, Community-Based Learning
  • Internships/Coops/Practicums
  • Capstone Courses and Projects/Senior Experience
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Campus Resources

Campus Resources

  • Career Services
  • Writing Center
  • Academic Advisors
  • Library Services
  • Faculty Mentors
  • Disability Services
  • Multicultural Centers
  • Health Services
  • Academic Tutors
  • Financial Aid Advisors
  • Student Success Initiative
  • Veteran Services
  • Peer Mentors
  • Counseling
  • Gender & Sexuality Center
SHOW MORE
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College Highlights

Engaged Students
Great Teaching
Vibrant Communities
Successful Outcomes
Admission & Aid
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Engaged Students

COMMUNITY-BASED LEARNING
Community-Based Learning (CBL) pairs Mount Holyoke students, faculty and staff with local leaders in South Hadley and beyond to collaborate on internships, research, and service projects that have a direct, positive impact in the community. You’ll also be able to learn from on-the-ground practitioners and understand how to apply the ideas, theories, and models you learn in class. 

A CBL experience breaks down the barrier between the classroom and the real world, enhancing your understanding of current social issues both locally and nationally, and helping you grow the leadership, organizing, and advocacy skills that are vital to change making at all levels. And for our community partners, CBL fosters sustainable, mutually beneficial relationships that support local organizations and help them thrive. The core components of the CBL program include student employment opportunities, tutoring and mentoring opportunities, and community partnerships.

STUDY ABROAD
To explore your role as a global citizen and discover a whole new perspective, there’s nothing like study abroad. Living and learning in another country encourage you to challenge yourself, engage across differences, and expand your knowledge, skills and approaches. It’s an experience that will stay with you for life, whether you choose language immersion, field studies, or a classroom-based program. In many cases you’ll also have the opportunity to incorporate an internship, community-based learning, or independent research for an even fuller experience. It’s time to follow your own path—wherever it takes you.

CLASS SIZE
The number of sections of each class size.
2-9: 41 | 10-19: 304 | 20-29: 95
30-39: 23 | 40-49: 10 | 50-99: 4 | 100+: 1

ENROLLMENT BY ETHNICITY
Non-U.S. Citizen: 20%
Hispanic/Latine: 10%
Black or African American, non-Hispanic: 5%
White, non-Hispanic: 52%
Native/Indigenous American or Alaska Native, non-Hispanic: 0%
Asian, non-Hispanic: 7%
Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, non-Hispanic: 0%
Two or more races, non-Hispanic: 5%
Race and/or ethnicity unknown: 1%

Great Teaching

NEXUS PROGRAM
The Nexus Program is a specialized minor that empowers students to connect interdisciplinary learning with some of today’s most dynamic career fields, from preprofessional programs to areas like global business, data analytics and society and educational policy and practice. By bringing together the latest information, real-world experience, and your own curiosity, a Nexus puts you right at the center of what’s next.

The Nexus program offers concentrations in 8 pre-professional areas called tracks. A Nexus is designed like a minor with 18 credits of coursework. To fulfill your Nexus you will take 12 credits above the 100-level and must include at least one 300-level course. You will also take College 211 for 2 credits to reflect on your co-curricular experience and gain the skill of sharing your ideas with others during the annual Learning from Application (LEAP) Symposium, where you’ll present your Nexus experience and expand your network of like-minded innovators.

SPECIAL STUDY OPTIONS
Programs available at this institution.
Cross-registration
Distance learning
Double major
Exchange student program (domestic)
Independent study
Internships
Liberal arts/career combination
Student-designed major
Study abroad
Teacher certification program
Undergraduate research

Vibrant Communities

LIVING-LEARNING COMMUNITIES
Open to all students, Living-Learning Communities (LLCs) combine residential life with themed academic and social experiences, supported by faculty/staff liaisons and residential life staff. Some LLC highlights include:

  • Language – 4 different language LLC communities that promote a supportive and congenial environment of language immersion for its residents by providing access to language assistants, faculty, and staff who facilitate programs and activities that enhance students’ linguistic and cultural competence in their target language in order to help them thrive in a global society.
  • Lyons’ Nation – a community that is designed to support students who are varsity/club athletes and dancers striving for athletic and academic excellence.
  • Livin’ Free – a community that provides a positive atmosphere for students who respect each other’s choice to be committed to healthy habits and who abstain from substances such as alcohol, tobacco products, illicit drugs, and the misuse of prescription medication.
  • First-Year Experience – a community that helps new students get acquainted with the college and involved during their first year. Students are offered academic and social opportunities that help them form meaningful connections to the College community and find their niche at Mount Holyoke.
  • Affinity LLCs – Eight different affinity LLC spaces are available for historically marginalized students, committed to developing a safe, supportive, and celebratory environment that’s sensitive to the complexities of being a student of a different affinity at a predominantly white institution.

ATHLETICS
Mount Holyoke College offers 11 varsity sports, 10 of which compete at the NCAA Division III level, and one competes through the Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association (IHSA). Mount Holyoke’s NCAA teams compete in the New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC).

RESIDENCE LIFE
Percent of students living on campus.
First-time, first-year (freshman) students: 99%
Undergraduates: 97%

Campus housing options.
Women’s dorms
Apartments for single students
Special housing for students with disabilities
Theme housing
Wellness housing
Living-learning communities

Successful Outcomes

CAREER DEVELOPMENT
At Mount Holyoke, preparing for life after college begins the moment you arrive on campus. From day one, you’ll find career development woven into your experience, with guidance that grows alongside you.

In your first year, you can ease into the process with things like a self-paced course, interactive workshops, and programs designed to help you start exploring your interests and building career confidence. Sophomore year brings even more opportunities to deepen that exploration, especially during the Sophomore Institute, a conference-style event where you’ll sharpen your communication skills and connect with alums.

As a junior, your career journey gets even more hands-on. You might take part in industry treks to nearby cities, find mentorship opportunities, or gain real-world experience that helps shape your post-graduation goals. Then, as a senior, you’ll launch into your final year with a dedicated kickoff event that lays out key timelines, resources, and next steps, making sure you feel supported and ready for what comes next.

Admission & Aid

Admission

ADMISSIONS FACTORS
Very Important
Rigor of secondary school record | Academic GPA
Application Essay | Recommendation(s) 

Important
Class rank | Interview | Extracurricular activities | Talent/ability
Character/personal qualities | Volunteer work | Work experience

Considered
Standardized test scores | First generation | Alumnae relation
Geographical residence | Level of applicant’s interest

TEST SCORES
Optional

FRESHMAN PROFILE
SAT Composite
25th Percentile: 1410 | 75th Percentile: 1510
SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing
25th Percentile: 710 | 75th Percentile: 760
SAT Math
25th Percentile: 670 | 75th Percentile: 770
ACT Composite
25th Percentile: 32 | 75th Percentile: 35
ACT Math
25th Percentile: 26 | 75th Percentile: 34
ACT English
25th Percentile: 34 | 75th Percentile: 36
ACT Science
25th Percentile: 29 | 75th Percentile: 35
ACT Reading
25th Percentile: 33 | 75th Percentile: 36

Tuition & Cost

Tuition: $67,782
Fees: $238
Room: $10,151
Board: $10,222

Contact Mount Holyoke College

Contact Admissions

mtholyoke.edu/admission
(413) 538-2023
admission@mtholyoke.edu

Campus Location

50 College Street
South Hadley, MA 01075

(413) 538-2000

Visit Mount Holyoke College Online

mtholyoke.edu

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