Wilson College

Welcome and thank you for your interest in Wilson College. The Wilson experience is about you. It is an individualized education that puts the focus on our students in a way you will not find at other colleges. The core of that experience is the extraordinary relationship that develops between Wilson faculty and students. Our professors are dedicated to teaching and are determined to influence the lives and minds of all our students, pushing them to greater heights than they imagined for themselves.

The College welcomes women and men into our undergraduate, graduate and adult degree programs and through a collaborative academic environment, connects career-oriented programs with a rigorous liberal arts curriculum. This kind of education best prepares Wilson graduates for long-term success in a changing world. With a proud and strong history of more than 140 years, Wilson College remains committed to academic excellence, service and an educational experience like no other.

With individualized attention, the latest in technology and equipment, access to the nation’s Capitol and rich traditions, a Wilson education has it all. Wilson College empowers students through an engaged, collaborative, liberal arts education that combines the skills and focused study needed for success in work and life. We are a close, supportive community that develops the mind and character of all students, preparing them to meet the challenges of a global society.

Now is the time to plan for your future and create the life you want. With small class sizes, challenging courses and dedicated faculty, Wilson College prepares you for a fulfilling career in an ever-changing world.

Grow into the person you want to be. Whether your future is in education or business, expect plenty of individual attention as you build the foundation for your career. Advance your education, advance your career. With nine areas of study, our graduate programs offer valuable knowledge and experience to take you to the next level.

Coming back to school is easier than you think. If you’ve been out of high school more than four years, talk with us—we’ve served adult learners with our flexible programs for more than 30 years. Become the teacher you needed. If you have a bachelor's degree, you can pursue teacher certification. Start your new career path today.

Financial aid can be intimidating—especially if you’ve never been through it before—but we’re here to help. Wilson’s Office of Financial Aid offers families individual counseling to help them understand and plan for the cost of college.

You’re here for an education, not the burden of debt. That’s why we’ve prioritized keeping tuition low while still offering high-quality liberal arts degrees. We’ll help you find the financial aid package that’s best for you, whether that means work-study programs, federal loans, payment plans, assistantships, scholarships or a combination. Financial aid can include awards you don’t need to repay. We connect students with a wide variety of scholarships, rewarding everything from academic merit or heritage to military affiliation.

Whether you’re editing the yearbook, making friends in choir or running for student government, you’ll feel the support of our close-knit community. Living on campus makes it easier to forge connections and immerse yourself in student life—and it makes you more likely to stick to your educational goals.

What you do outside of class is just as important as your coursework. Whether you love furry creatures, community service, the arts, or you want to build up your resume, advocate for change, or create amazing experiences, there's an opportunity for you. Our collaborative, encouraging environment means you’ll find support to pursue activities that reflect your interests. Gain confidence through the Phoenix Leaders Program, perform in plays, join the gaming club—or even form your own club.

Wilson College was founded in 1869 as a college for women, one of the first in the United States. The founders were the Rev. Tryon Edwards and the Rev. James W. Wightman. The Pennsylvania Legislature granted the original charter on March 24, 1869. Sarah Wilson, for whom the College is named, provided the initial gift for the establishment of the College. She was the first living woman in the United States to endow a college for women.

The purpose of the college was described as an effort to provide for the education of young women in literature, science and the arts. The Oct. 19, 1870, edition of the Franklin Repository stated that the "effort will not be to cram the minds of pupils with facts, but to spend the time in development of thought so that the pupils will learn to think for themselves, and thus become leaders, instead of followers, in society."

Throughout its long history, Wilson has responded to changing times. In 1982, the College was one of the first in the region to begin offering a continuing studies program to meet the needs of a growing population of adults seeking a post-secondary education. In 1996, the College was one of the first in the nation to offer on-campus, residential education for single mothers with children. Since the program began, it has won national attention and Wilson has become the National Center for Single Mothers in Higher Education.

Today, Wilson admits men and women of all ages to enroll in its bachelor's and associate degree programs, as well as post-baccalaureate and graduate programs. To make a Wilson education available to adults, many courses are offered not only during the day, but in the evening, in summer and January Term, and at convenient off-campus sites.