Haverford College

Haverford College offers one of the finest undergraduate educations in the world

Rooted in our Quaker heritage, the Haverford community centers on upholding the value of every individual. Haverford provides a rigorous and intensely personal liberal arts education inspired by intellectual depth, collaboration, and commitment to ethical leadership. There is no place where students are more trusted, have more opportunity to shape their own paths, or have a more profound impact on the overall community experience.

Learning and engagement are more than theoretical
Undergraduate research, interdisciplinary exploration, and hands-on learning are central to a Haverford education. Every student conducts research alongside faculty mentors who are leaders in their fields, with many students graduating as co-authors on published works.

Our faculty are internationally recognized thought leaders dedicated to working closely with undergraduates. At large research institutions, it can be difficult to connect with your professors–but the experience here is designed to maximize the amount of time students spend in direct collaboration with faculty. A third of our faculty live on campus, allowing them to be an active part of the campus community inside and outside of the classroom.

Haverford is one of the very few institutions at which every student will produce a senior thesis or capstone project. Whether students choose to go on to graduate school or directly into the workforce, completing a thesis or capstone is a major accomplishment that gives students the opportunity to exercise their intellectual curiosity through deep exploration and the creation of new ideas. 

Interdisciplinary exploration
The Koshland Integrated Natural Sciences Center, the Hurford Center for the Arts and Humanities, the Center for Peace and Global Citizenship, and the Kim Ethics Institute play an essential role by supporting cutting-edge research, invigorating the arts on campus, providing access to local and global community engagement opportunities, and examining ourselves and the world around us through an ethical framework. These Centers and Institutes are interdisciplinary hubs of exploration and collaboration. 

A close-knit community with a global reach
Students benefit from an academic ecosystem unmatched among liberal arts colleges through the Tri-College (Tri-Co) and Quaker consortia. Together they enjoy the personal attention of a small college with the resources and breadth of much larger universities.

The Tri-Co allows students to take classes, and even major, at Bryn Mawr and Swarthmore Colleges at no additional cost. Lectures, exhibitions, and social events are open to all students. Additionally, students may take courses at the University of Pennsylvania, including the Wharton School of Business. Penn partners with Haverford on accelerated master’s degree programs in engineering, bioethics, city planning, and education.

Through rigorous academics and a culture of intellectual curiosity, students take an active role in shaping an educational experience defined by exploration, inquiry, and personal growth. 

Leadership rooted in trust
At Haverford, trust, concern, and respect—Ford shorthand for constructive engagement in community—are more than ideals. They are the foundation of academic and social life. From their first day on campus, students are trusted to help shape the College through shared governance and the student-written Honor Code. More than a symbol, the Honor Code establishes a culture of accountability and mutual respect that influences every aspect of the Haverford experience. 

Philadelphia
Haverford is located eight miles from Philadelphia, the sixth-largest city in the US. Just 20 minutes away by train or car, Haverford’s proximity to Philly offers a plethora of opportunities that help shape students' experiences inside and outside of the classroom. Many academic programs have close ties with a range of organizations in Philly and the metro-region, providing robust access to learning, engagement, internship, and career opportunities. 

Life beyond Haverford
Students learn how to stand behind their ideas—and when to rethink them. To engage with the world with curiosity and through an ethically-mindful lens. Success is measured not only by achievement, but by impact. Haverford graduates go on to become scientists, artists, entrepreneurs, physicians, scholars, advocates, educators, and public servants. More importantly, they become people others trust to lead.

On average, within six months of graduation, 94% of all recent grads have secured a full-time job or placement within their preferred graduate program. Fords are lifelong learners, with the majority of alumni seeking advanced degrees at some point in their careers.

The admission process
Haverford attracts some of the world's brightest and most engaging college-bound students each year. The primary criterion for admission is academic excellence. Haverford seeks students who have demonstrated exceptional academic ability and a commitment to scholarship and service, who will engage deeply in the community, and who are eager to grow both intellectually and personally.

Admission is conducted through a comprehensive, holistic review in which each applicant is treated personally and every component of the application is considered fully. We provide applicants the opportunity to convey the broadest possible sense of who they are, their achievements and experiences, and how they will both contribute to and benefit from a Haverford education.

Financial aid
Committed to making a Haverford education accessible and affordable.
With a $44.4 million annual aid budget, we meet the full demonstrated need of all admitted first-year and transfer students, regardless of citizenship. Roughly 51% of the student body receives some form of financial aid from Haverford; grant award of $70,469—aid that never needs to be repaid.

We want all students to thrive and to have full access to the College’s educational and cultural opportunities, regardless of their financial resources. We strive to remove the hidden costs of attending college; for example, our financial aid supports you to participate in study abroad and social events on campus are free. We are equally committed to minimizing student debt after graduation. If you’re a student from a family with an annual income below $60,000, there will be no loan expectation as part of your financial aid award. Families with income of $60,000 or higher may have a loan expectation as part of their financial aid package, ranging from $1,500-$3,000 per year.