Hampden-Sydney College

Hampden-Sydney College traces its roots to 1775, when Presbyterians established it as one of the first colleges in the young nation, naming it after English parliamentary heroes John Hampden and Algernon Sidney who resisted tyranny. You'll find a close community of about 875 undergraduates on a compact, tree-lined campus in rural central Virginia, where the emphasis falls on personal integrity via a strict lifetime honor code that governs exams without proctors. Men who thrive here embrace tradition, seek leadership roles, and value deep friendships forged in all-male dorms and classrooms; those craving urban energy or diverse social mixes might feel out of place.