In recent years, the political and social climate in the United States has become increasingly polarized, with many Americans identifying strongly with liberal or conservative political views. This divide is reflected in the world of higher education, where colleges and universities can be known for their political and social leanings.
While many colleges and universities in the US are known for their conservative and traditional values, there are also a number of institutions that are considered to be among the most politico-socially liberal in the country. These colleges and universities tend to be associated with progressive political and social movements, and often have a strong focus on promoting social justice and equality.
For this BrokeScholar report, we explore some of the most commonly cited liberal colleges in America and examine some of the factors that contribute to their liberal culture.
Oberlin College
Oberlin College is a private liberal arts college in Ohio that is also considered to be among the most liberal colleges in the US. The college was founded in 1833 and has a long history of promoting progressive values and social justice. Oberlin is also one of the hardest colleges to get into in Ohio, and in the nation overall.
One of the key factors that contribute to Oberlin's liberal culture is its commitment to promoting diversity and inclusivity. The college has a diverse student body and faculty and has been recognized for its efforts to promote diversity and inclusion. The college's mission statement includes a commitment to "empowering a diverse and inclusive community," and promoting "social responsibility and leadership in our students."
This commitment is reflected in the college's curriculum, which includes courses on social justice, gender and sexuality studies, and African American studies. The college also has a strong focus on promoting student activism and community engagement. The school has notably been involved in a number of social justice movements over the years.
Another factor that contributes to Oberlin's liberal culture is its history of political activism. The college played a significant role in the abolitionist movement and has been involved in a number of social justice movements throughout its history. The college's mission statement includes a commitment to "the common good," and promoting "social justice and sustainability."
Swarthmore College
Swarthmore College is a private liberal arts college in Pennsylvania that is often cited as one of the most liberal colleges in the United States. The college was founded in 1864 by Quakers and has a long history of promoting social justice and equality. Like Oberlin, Swarthmore College consistently ranks among the hardest colleges to get into in the US.
Among many of the factors that contribute to Swarthmore's liberal culture is its commitment to promoting social justice and equality. The college's mission statement includes a commitment to "fostering a community that is diverse, inclusive, and engaged," and promoting "the common good."
This commitment is reflected in the college's curriculum, which includes courses on social justice, gender and sexuality studies, and race and ethnicity. The college also has a strong focus on promoting environmental sustainability and social responsibility.
Amherst College
Amherst College is a private liberal arts college in Massachusetts that is known for its liberal political and social views. The college was founded in 1821 and has a long history of promoting progressive values and social justice.
One of the key factors that contribute to Amherst's liberal culture is its commitment to promoting diversity and inclusivity. The college's mission statement includes a commitment to "creating a diverse and inclusive community," and promoting "social responsibility and civic engagement."
This commitment is reflected in the college's curriculum, which includes courses on diversity and inclusion, social justice, and environmental sustainability. The college also has a strong focus on promoting student activism and community engagement. Amherst College is also right up there with Harvard and MIT as being one of the hardest colleges to get into in Massachusetts.
Wesleyan University
Wesleyan University is a private liberal arts college in Connecticut that is known for its liberal political and social views. The college was founded in 1831 and has a long history of promoting progressive values and social justice.
As with the previously mentioned colleges, some of the crucial factors that contribute to Wesleyan's liberal culture is its commitment to promoting social justice and civic engagement. The college's mission statement includes a commitment to "educating students to be active and engaged citizens," and promoting "diversity, equity, and inclusion."
This commitment is reflected in the college's curriculum, which includes courses on social justice, environmental sustainability, and human rights. The college also has a strong focus on promoting student activism and community engagement. One notable drawback of Wesleyan University is that it is the most expensive college in Connecticut, in terms of cost of tuition and required fees.
Evergreen State College
Evergreen State College is a public liberal arts college in Washington state that is often cited as one of the most liberal colleges in the United States. The college was founded in 1967 and has a long history of promoting progressive values and social justice.
Considering it was founded in the 1960s, the era of the Civil Rights movement and hippie counterculture, one of the significant factors that contribute to Evergreen State's liberal culture is its commitment to promoting diversity and inclusivity. The college's mission statement includes a commitment to "creating a community that values diversity, equity, and social justice," and promoting "sustainability and environmental stewardship."
This commitment is reflected in the college's curriculum, which includes courses on diversity and social justice, environmental studies, and cultural studies. The college also has a strong focus on promoting student activism and community engagement and has been involved in a number of social justice movements over the years. It’s also one of the best colleges for political science in Washington state.
Factors Contributing to Liberal Culture
So, what are some of the factors that contribute to the liberal culture of these colleges and universities?
A commitment to social justice and equality is one of the most significant factors. Many of the most liberal colleges in the US are known for their commitment to promoting diversity, inclusivity, and social justice, and often have a strong focus on promoting activism and community engagement.
Another factor is a commitment to progressive values and ideas. Many of these colleges and universities promote progressive political and social views on issues such as gender and sexuality, race and ethnicity, and environmental sustainability.
Lastly, there is a strong focus on promoting diversity and inclusivity. Many of these colleges and universities have diverse student bodies and faculty, and actively promote a culture of inclusivity and acceptance.
Criticism of Liberal Colleges
While many students and faculty members at liberal colleges and universities value the liberal culture and values of these institutions, there are also critics who argue that this culture can be exclusionary and limiting.
Some argue that the liberal culture of these colleges and universities can create an echo chamber that limits critical thinking and intellectual diversity. Others argue that the focus on social justice and activism can be overly politicized and limit students' exposure to different perspectives and ways of thinking. These points are all debatable as many students who have attended liberal colleges, conversely, emerge more conservative due to being surrounded by such strong, ubiquitous liberalism.
The Bottom Line on the Most Liberal Colleges in the US
While there are many colleges and universities in the US that promote conservative and traditional values, there are also a number of institutions that are considered to be among the liberal in the country. These colleges and universities tend to be associated with progressive political and social movements, and often have a strong focus on promoting social justice and equality.
Factors that contribute to the liberal culture of these institutions include a commitment to social justice and equality, a focus on progressive values and ideas, and a strong focus on promoting diversity and inclusivity. While many students and faculty members value the liberal culture and values of these institutions, there are also critics who argue that this culture can be exclusionary and limiting.
In the end, the choice of whether to attend a liberal college or university is a personal one, and depends on a number of individual factors, including academic interests, personal values, and career goals. One thing to keep in mind with the liberal colleges listed here is that several of them are academically topnotch. As such, they tend to be expensive. This is where college scholarships can be a huge help. By using BrokeScholar’s huge library of college scholarships, you can apply to and potentially win a scholarship that can help reduce the heavy cost of attending college nowadays.
