Earlham College

Earlham College traces its origins to 1847, when Quakers in Richmond, Indiana, founded it as one of the first coeducational colleges west of the Appalachians, committed to equality across races, genders, and religions from day one—many founders aided the Underground Railroad right from campus grounds. You'll thrive here if you're introspective, collaborative, and drawn to social justice, finding a quirky, progressive personality that prioritizes peace testimonies over competition; expect Quaker-style meetings where decisions emerge through consensus rather than votes. The surrounding town of Richmond, a faded industrial hub of 35,000 near the Ohio border, offers affordable living and quiet trails along the Whitewater River, but trade that for limited nightlife or urban energy—students often trek to Dayton or Cincinnati for bigger thrills, embracing the isolation that fosters tight-knit bonds.