As one of the oldest institutions in America, Kalamazoo College prepares its students for success. Collaboration with faculty and experiential learning opportunities groom students into intelligent and mindful leaders of tomorrow.
Student Profile
Fall 2015 Enrollment
1,443 undergraduate students
99% of undergrad students are full time
44% male — 56% female
Faculty Profile
2015-2016 Academic Year
116 full-time faculty
20 part-time faculty
13 to 1 student/faculty ratio
Residence Life
66% of students live on campus.
Retention Fall 2015
92% of students began in Fall 2014 and returned in Fall 2015 (full-time, first-time freshmen)
6-Year Graduation Rate 2015
83% of students graduated in 6 years
ENROLLMENT BY RACIAL/ETHNIC CATEGORY - FALL 2015
| Nonresident aliens | 9% |
| Hispanic/Latino | 9% |
| Black or African American | 6% |
| White | 59% |
| American Indian or Alaska Native | 0% |
| Asian | 7% |
| Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander | 0% |
| Two or more races | 5% |
| Race and/or ethnicity unknown | 6% |
Shared Passages Seminars
First-Year Seminars: First-Year Seminars lay the ground work for a fruitful undergraduate experience. Students are introduced to coursework through various individual and group assignments. The primary goal of the first-year seminar is to teach students valuable skills they will need in order to be successful throughout college. Students learn the basics of effective communication, information literacy, and proper writing habits.
Sophomore/Junior Seminars: Sophomore/Junior Seminars prepare students for abroad experiences by exploring topics of cultural understanding and tolerance.
Senior Seminars: Senior Seminars serve as the final step of the undergraduate experience. Students are asked to connect their studies to their experiences. Disciplinary seminars push students to draw conclusions from their experiences both in and out of their fields of study. Interdisciplinary seminars explore a topic with intersecting viewpoints/issues. Students from different majors come together to discuss that topic and work toward an understanding of the interconnecting ideas.
Senior Individualized Project
The Senior Individualized Project (SIP) is required of each student that intends to graduate from Kalamazoo College. Students may pursue their SIP in any department, but the majority of students will complete their project within their major. During the spring semester, Kalamazoo hosts several events to showcase student projects. This is a great opportunity for students to share their hard work, as well as practice public speaking and performance.
Study Abroad
The average Kalamazoo student studies abroad for six months, and several choose to go longer than that. In total, nearly 80% of all students study abroad through 42 programs, in 23 countries. While abroad, students take on Cultural Research Projects, in which they explore an activity to experience and reflect upon. Individuals interested in participating in study abroad should visit the Center for International Programs.
K-Plan
Kalamazoo’s K-Plan is a structure for liberal arts education. K-Plan is made up of four parts:
- Depth and Breadth in the Liberal Arts
- Learning Through Experience
- International and Intercultural Experience
- Independent Scholarship
There are several desired outcomes of the K-Plan. Upon graduation students will have studied a variety of subjects across various disciplines. Within those studies, students will have chosen a specific area to study in depth. Students will have also led engaging academic careers, having learned how to effectively communicate in their courses. Finally, all students are required to study a second language.
The K-Plan is specific to each student, and will be tailored to their individual needs and interests. There is plenty of academic and personal support available to students. Kalamazoo is concerned with graduating strong, intellectual leaders. With this goal in mind, K-Plan works to meet the needs and expose the talents of each student.
Civic Engagement and Service Learning
Most Kalamazoo students are involved in the community through service learning. Community based learning synthesizes education into volunteer efforts. In a 10 week quarter, students can apply academic theories to a community initiative in which they aim to enact positive change. All service learning programs are paired with reflection. Students are pushed to draw connections between their efforts and the needs of the local and global communities. At the core of service learning is social justice, and students are expected to conduct themselves as upstanding and thoughtful citizens.
Social Justice Leadership
Kalamazoo values social justice and expects every student to observe tolerance and equality of all groups. The Arcus Center for Social Justice is the hub for service initiatives. Students and faculty can propose specific efforts and see that they are followed through. Kalamazoo’s commitment to social justice is outlined in a set of values: inspire unity, spark intellectual growth, nurture leadership, build community, and embrace change.
Career and Professional Development
Making decisions about career choice and post-graduate plans can be a daunting task for many. Kalamazoo recognizes that students need assistance with some of those decisions and seeks to provide each individual with guidance. Students can receive one-on-one career counseling and attend workshops that focus on a specific skill.
The Guilds
Recently, Kalamazoo implemented the Guilds, a network of students and alumni. The Guilds are separated into different interests and careers held by students and alumni. The network is meant to draw certain students to specific areas so as to enhance communication with alumni.
The Discovery Externship Program
The Discovery Externship Program links Kalamazoo students with alumni all over the world. Students have the opportunity to live and work with alumni—a priceless experience whereby students gain industry knowledge and build their professional network.
ADMISSIONS
Admissions Fall 2015
2,455 Total Applicants
1,759 Total Admissions
365 Total Freshman Enrollment
Selectivity
71.65% of applicants admitted
Freshman Profile Fall 2014
| 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile | |
| SAT Critical Reading | 528 | 680 |
| SAT Math | 550 | 690 |
| SAT Writing | 550 | 650 |
| ACT Composite | 25 | 30 |
| ACT Math | 24 | 29 |
| ACT English | 25 | 31 |
| ACT Writing | 10 | 11 |
TUITION AND COSTS
NET PRICE CALCULATOR
TUITION AND COSTS BEFORE FINANCIAL AID 2015-2016
| Expenses | |
| Tuition | $42,510 |
| Fees | $436 |
| Total | $42,946 |
| Room and Board (on campus) | $8,886 |
| Room Only | $4,335 |
| Board Only | $4,551 |
| Estimated Total On Campus | $51,832 |
FINANCIAL AID
Financial Aid Breakdown 2014-2015
100% of full-time, first-time undergraduates awarded any financial aid
54% of full-time, first-time undergraduates awarded student loan aid
$26,748 Average amount of federal, state, local, or institutional grant aid awarded
$7,221 Average amount of student loan aid awarded to full-time, first-time undergraduates
