Acceptance Rate
48%
Avg. SAT
1300
75th percentile
“Tiny liberal arts college on Mississippi bluffs where students work campus jobs to cover room and board while pursuing global studies.”
Elsah, IL
Location
Rural
Campus Setting
Principia College sits on 2,500 acres of wooded bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River in rural Elsah, Illinois, founded in 1910 by Mary Kimball Morgan to educate Christian Science students. The school maintains a strong legacy of fostering self-reliance through its required work program, where undergraduates take on campus jobs like groundskeeping or dining services for 15 hours weekly. Students who thrive here often seek a tight-knit community with an international flavor—about one in five comes from abroad—and appreciate structured routines amid nature. Those wired for big-city bustle or independent schedules might find the remote setting and work commitments limiting. Elsah offers quiet village charm, with St. Louis an hour away for occasional escapes.
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Admissions
Acceptance Rate
Test Policy
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Average GPA
Application Fee
Academics
Student-Faculty Ratio
Programs Offered
Full-Time Faculty
Women Faculty
Research Spending
Degree Levels Offered
Classes stay small, often under 20 students, creating seminar-style discussions where professors know you by name and push collaborative projects. Strengths include environmental studies drawing on the campus's riverside trails, animal science with hands-on farm work, and languages bolstered by mandatory study abroad for juniors. Research opportunities abound early since faculty mentor undergrads directly, but the small size means niche majors like advanced physics may require transfers or online supplements. You'll tackle a broad liberal arts core before declaring a major from 20 options, emphasizing practical skills over specialization.
Student Body
Total Enrollment
339 undergrad • 0 grad
Undergraduate
Graduate
International
White
38%
Black / African American
7%
Hispanic / Latino
5%
Asian
1%
Other / Multi-racial
49%
Campus Life
Campus Setting
Elsah, IL
Varsity Athletics
NCAA Athletics
Campus life revolves around residence halls where everyone lives, grouped into "pods" that build instant bonds through shared kitchens and study lounges. A typical week mixes classes, work shifts, afternoon hikes on bluffs, and evening club meetings—no parties since the no-alcohol policy keeps things mellow. Traditions like the annual Snowball formal and international potlucks highlight the global mix, though the rural isolation means weekends often involve group trips to nearby Alton or St. Louis. Housing guarantees persist through senior year, but the work requirement can squeeze free time.
Housing
On-Campus Housing
Housing Capacity
Meal Plan Available
Average Room & Board
Athletics
Athletic Association
St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
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
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Outcomes & Earnings
Retention Rate
83%
4 Years Graduation Rate
67%
6 Years Graduation Rate
81%
83% of first-time, full-time students complete their freshman year at Principia College and return in the fall. 67% of first-time, full-time students graduate in 4 years, and 81% graduate within 6 years.
Graduation Rate
4-year grads
67%
4-6 years
14%
Non-grad
19%
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Key Statistics
Type
Private
Tuition
$31,200
Acceptance
48%
Undergrads
339
4-Year Grad Rate
67%
Endowment
$503M
Elsah, IL 62028-9799
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