Acceptance Rate
74%
Avg. SAT
1348
75th percentile
“Raleigh's private women's college, founded in 1891, shapes confident leaders through intimate liberal arts and specialized programs in design and health.”
Raleigh, NC
Location
Large City
Campus Setting
Meredith College traces its roots to 1891, when North Carolina Baptists established it as a seminary for women, evolving into an independent liberal arts institution focused exclusively on undergraduates. Women who thrive here often seek a supportive environment that emphasizes personal growth, leadership, and close relationships with peers and professors in a small community of about 1,500 students. The campus personality blends Southern hospitality with purposeful ambition, fostering independence without the distractions of a large co-ed setting. Nestled on 225 wooded acres just minutes from downtown Raleigh, it offers green space amid urban energy.
Raleigh, part of the Research Triangle with nearby Duke, UNC-Chapel Hill, and NC State, provides internships and cultural outlets in a growing city known for tech and biotech. Students benefit from the area's professional vibe and milder winters compared to northern states. Tradeoffs include the all-women undergraduate environment, which builds sisterhood but limits casual co-ed interactions, and a narrower range of majors than at larger universities.
Photo Gallery
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Admissions
Acceptance Rate
Average GPA
Application Fee
Academics
Student-Faculty Ratio
Programs Offered
Full-Time Faculty
Women Faculty
Research Spending
Degree Levels Offered
In Meredith's classrooms, you'll join small seminars and hands-on studios where professors know your name, drawing from strengths in interior design, nutrition and dietetics, fashion merchandising, nursing, education, and business. The college emphasizes professional preparation alongside liberal arts, with programs like accredited interior design sending graduates straight into careers. Undergrads tackle research projects early, such as analyzing sustainable fashion or equine health studies tied to the campus equestrian center.
Large introductory lectures are rare given the enrollment size, but competitive admission to health sciences tracks requires strong grades. The intellectual culture rewards collaboration over cutthroat competition, though students eyeing STEM-heavy fields might find fewer advanced lab resources than at research giants nearby.
Student Body
Total Enrollment
1,206 undergrad • 259 grad
Undergraduate
Graduate
International
White
62%
Black / African American
10%
Hispanic / Latino
15%
Asian
5%
Other / Multi-racial
9%
Campus Life
Campus Setting
Raleigh, NC
Varsity Athletics
NCAA Athletics
Campus life revolves around residence halls where freshmen and sophomores build bonds through hall events and shared meals, creating a family-like atmosphere. Traditions like Holly Day—juniors in black dresses forming a "V for Victory" on the lawn—add whimsy, while choral groups and theater fill weekends. A typical week mixes classes, club meetings, volunteer shifts, and evenings studying or grabbing coffee in Raleigh's lively Oakwood neighborhood.
The social scene stays low-key with mixers, guest speakers, and trips to PNC Arena for hockey, appealing to focused students over party seekers. Weather brings hot summers and occasional hurricanes, but spring dogwoods brighten the quad. High off-campus rents in booming Raleigh push many to stay residential, though bikes make downtown accessible.
Housing
On-Campus Housing
Housing Capacity
Meal Plan Available
Average Room & Board
Athletics
Athletic Association
USA South Athletic Conference
ROTC & Veteran Support
Army
Yes
Navy
No
Air Force
Yes
Veteran’s Programs Available
Yellow Ribbon Program (Post-9/11 GI Bill)
Yes
Credit for military training
Yes
Dedicated point of contact for veteran support services
Yes
Cost & Aid
In-State Tuition
Out-of-State Tuition
Room & Board
Estimated Cost
Financial Aid
Students Receiving Aid
Receiving Pell Grants
Average Grant
Average Federal Loan
Net Annual Cost by Household Income
Household Income
Avg. Net Cost
$0 – $30K
$14,345
$30K – $48K
$15,367
$48K – $75K
$18,254
$75K – $110K
$22,384
$110K+
$27,315
Apply for Financial Aid
Complete the FAFSA to unlock grants, scholarships, and federal loans.
Costs shown are before financial aid. Most students receive some form of aid. Complete the FAFSA to see what you qualify for.
Outcomes & Earnings
Retention Rate
79%
4 Years Graduation Rate
70%
6 Years Graduation Rate
74%
Median 10-Year Earnings
$51,539
79% of first-time, full-time students complete their freshman year at Meredith College and return in the fall. 70% of first-time, full-time students graduate in 4 years, and 74% graduate within 6 years.
Graduation Rate
4-year grads
70%
4-6 years
4%
Non-grad
26%
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Key Statistics
Type
Private
Tuition
$42,540
Acceptance
74%
Undergrads
1,206
4-Year Grad Rate
70%
Endowment
$130M
Raleigh, NC 27607-5298