Lycoming College is a small liberal arts college
dedicated to providing the type of learning that can be used for a lifetime in a
supportive, residential environment that fosters individual growth and close
interpersonal relationships.
U.S. News and World Report has recognized the Carnegie
reclassification of Lycoming. The College is one of the national liberal arts
colleges in the United States. It is something that Lycoming alumni have quietly
known for years. The reasons are simple.
All of Lycoming’s resources and faculty are dedicated to the undergraduate
education of just 1500 students. Classes are small and all faculty members
teach. With a 13 to 1 ratio of students to faculty, classes of five or ten
students are not uncommon, while even large introductory courses average about
30 students. This means abundant opportunities for individual attention by a
faculty truly committed to teaching. The average graduation rate for first time
freshmen is 63%.
Lycoming students are superbly prepared to meet the challenges of life
through an academic program that includes both breadth of study in the
humanities, social sciences and natural sciences and depth of study in at least
one area of concentration.
Those areas of concentration include bachelor of arts programs in 33 major
fields, and a bachelor of science in three major fields.
Those who intend to continue in medicine, dentistry, law, the ministry or
teaching will find excellent preprofessional preparation. Through a number of
cooperative programs with other colleges and universities, Lycoming students can
study engineering, forestry, environment, podiatric medicine, optometry, and
medical technology—while still enjoying the benefits of a small college
experience. They can also study at Oxford Brookes Univeristy in Oxford, England;
Anglia Polytechnic University in Cambridge, England; Regent’s College in
London, England; Lancaster University, Lancaster, England; CUEF Université
Stendhal-Grenoble 3 in Grenoble, France; and Tandem International School,
Madrid, Spain; or spend a semester in Washington, D.C., or New York City through
a number of other cooperative programs.
One of Lycoming’s most popular and successful ways of blending career
planning with a liberal arts education is through its internship program. Close
to one-third of Lycoming students gain real job experience as part of a semester
course load. The Williamsport area is particularly rich in internship
opportunities in business, communication, government, health and social
services. The close relationship between the College and the community has given
Lycoming students a chance to roll up their sleeves and gain resume-enhancing
experience rather than mere observation.
Most students complete their program of study in four years, usually by
taking four courses each fall and spring semester. However, students may take
one course during Lycoming’s May Term and from one to two courses in each
Summer Term.
Perhaps one of the most important qualities of Lycoming is its feeling of
community. Lycoming is a truly residential college where all students, with the
exception of close commuters, live on campus in one of the College’s residence
halls or apartments.
The quality of campus life is enriched by a variety of extracurricular
activities in which Lycoming students gain valuable leadership training.
Students produce a newspaper, run the campus radio station, edit a yearbook,
mount theatre productions, participate in a nationally acclaimed choir and
concert band, as well as organize and manage their own social fraternities and
sororities, special interest clubs and campus-wide social events.
Student athletes can try out for 19 different varsity sports (10 for men, 9
for women) or participate in the College’s strong intramural program.
Students are admitted free to productions at the Community Arts Center.
Student-run programs have brought in Adam Sandler, Fiona Apple, Eve6, Sugar Ray
and Brian Adams.
Lycoming’s campus lies near the historic downtown of Williamsport, a city
best known as the birthplace of Little League Baseball and the site of its
annual international championship. The greater metro area has a population of
approximately 75,000.
The rolling hills and forestlands of northcentral Pennsylvania provide some
of the state’s best scenery, as well as hiking, camping, kayaking, and other
outdoor recreation. Yet Lycoming is less than a four-hour drive from New York
City, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., Baltimore and Pittsburgh.
The College enjoys a relationship with the United Methodist Church and
supports its tradition of providing an education to persons of all faiths. The
College is firmly committed to a policy of cultural diversity and expects its
students to work together in an atmosphere of respect and tolerance.