Photo: Albright College. Retrieved from: www.albright.edu
Committed to giving students an education that focuses on both academics and service, the faculty at Albright College teaches students values and skills they will need in both their personal and professional lives. Located in Reading, Pennsylvania, just forty-five miles from Philadelphia, students are able to enjoy the 110-acre campus while still taking advantage of the big city’s opportunities.
Faculty at Albright College vows to teach their students about integrity and values, and the importance of mixing theory and practice in everyday life. Upon graduation, students are required to have the ability to ask meaningful questions, to think critically, to communicate effectively, and have the desire to serve the community in their careers.
From the very beginning, administration at Albright College placed intense focus on interdisciplinary studies, allowing students to create their own individualized education; a view that is still present today. According to their website, more than half of the 2,400 students that attend Albright College have concentrations that combine two or more majors into one custom major. There are over 60 majors and concentrations for students to choose from. Students can combine Holocaust studies with history or Women’s studies with Crime and Justice, building a well-rounded education and a unique perspective that will ultimately set them apart from competition in their future careers.
History
Named after Jacob Albright, a German evangelical preacher, Albright College was formed in 1856 by the Evangelical Association and the United Evangelical Church. The school is the product of multiple seminaries that merged together in the early 1900s. The seminaries were not theological-based and instead institutes of higher education.
Campus Life
Sixty-eight percent of all students live on campus, as it’s required of freshman and sophomores who are not living with guardians. Being so close to Philadelphia, students can go into town and explore the many options the city has to offer. They can catch a movie, go shopping, or apply for internship positions that will help them furthermore their career.
Students can also can stay on campus where there are an abundant amount of activities to pursue. Students can take part in clubs and organizations associated with the Greek Life, Honors Society, Government, and Religious Life. They can sing in the Gospel Ensemble or take part in the Albright Gamers Guild.
Sports are a big part of Albright Life. Albright College plays in Division III sports and has had numerous successes throughout the years in both football and swimming. In football, the team ranked #24 in the country in 2009. Furthermore both the men’s and women’s swim team always tended to have a strong showing, with the women winning four consecutive conference championships in a row.
Financial Aid
The annual cost of attendance at Albright College is just over $46,000. 100% of students who needed financial aid received some form of it, whether in scholarships, loans, grants, or work study. Out of these students, 49% saw their needs fully met. Although Albright College may seem more expensive than other colleges, due to the amount of financial aid given it tends to be comparable to colleges who might charge significantly less per year but give less financial assistance. Furthermore, an Albright graduate can expect to be $23,000-$25,000 in debt upon graduation.
