Elizabethtown College

Key Highlights

• Private non-profit institution with strong academic tradition
• Suburban campus with easy access to city resources
• Research-intensive with extensive graduate programs
• Diverse academic programs across multiple disciplines

Student Life & Environment

Student life at Elizabethtown College reflects the engaged community ethos that distinguishes the institution, with abundant opportunities for involvement, leadership, and meaningful connection. The suburban campus provides a contained environment where students develop genuine relationships across the boundaries that divide students at larger, more anonymous institutions. Residence life programming fosters community within halls while campus-wide events bring the entire Elizabethtown community together for traditions, celebrations, and shared experiences. More than 80 student organizations span academic interests, cultural identities, service initiatives, recreational pursuits, and spiritual exploration, ensuring that every student finds peers who share their passions. Blue Jay athletics compete at the NCAA Division III level, allowing student-athletes to pursue competitive excellence while engaging fully in academics and other aspects of college life without the time demands that scholarship athletics often impose. Intramural sports and recreational facilities serve students seeking physical activity without varsity commitments. The Brethren peace church heritage, while not imposed on students, creates a campus culture that emphasizes nonviolence, dialogue across difference, and service to communities in need. Service-learning programs connect students with community partners addressing real challenges, building civic responsibility alongside professional skills. Campus ministry provides programming for students seeking spiritual growth while welcoming those exploring questions of meaning and purpose from various starting points. The dining program emphasizes community, with meals serving as occasions for conversation and connection rather than mere refueling.

Location & Surroundings

Elizabethtown occupies a favorable position in southeastern Pennsylvania, providing college students with the advantages of a contained campus community while maintaining access to urban resources, cultural attractions, and professional opportunities throughout the region. The town of Elizabethtown itself offers a walkable downtown with shops, restaurants, and services that meet daily needs while contributing to the small-town atmosphere that many students find appealing. Lancaster County's distinctive character—including its Amish and Mennonite communities, agricultural heritage, and growing arts scene—creates a setting unlike any other in American higher education. The city of Lancaster, approximately 15 miles from campus, provides additional dining, entertainment, cultural venues, and internship sites that supplement campus offerings. Harrisburg, the state capital, lies just north of Elizabethtown and offers government internship opportunities, professional networking, and urban amenities. Philadelphia and Baltimore are both accessible within 90 minutes, expanding the range of cultural experiences, professional opportunities, and weekend activities available to students. The regional economy blends agriculture, tourism, healthcare, education, and growing technology sectors, providing diverse internship and employment opportunities for students across many fields. Transportation connections include nearby Amtrak stations and reasonable highway access to major airports. The four-season climate creates distinct rhythms through the academic year, with fall colors, winter snow, and spring renewal marking the passage of time. Housing costs and general living expenses in the region remain moderate compared to major metropolitan areas, helping students manage budgets during their college years.

Costs & Career Outcomes

Elizabethtown College, as a private liberal arts institution, charges tuition rates that reflect the cost of providing high-quality, personalized education, though financial aid substantially reduces net costs for most students. The college's commitment to accessibility means that institutional grants, scholarships, and awards combine with federal and state aid to make an Elizabethtown education achievable for students across the economic spectrum. Merit scholarships recognize academic achievement, with the highest awards representing significant discounts from published tuition. Talent scholarships in music, art, and other areas reward students who will contribute to campus life through their abilities. Need-based grants address economic barriers, with financial aid packages crafted individually based on each family's circumstances. Work-study opportunities provide income while building professional experience through positions across campus. Career preparation at Elizabethtown begins early and continues throughout the student experience through the Center for Student Success, which provides advising, internship placement, resume development, and interview preparation. The Signature Learning Experience requirement ensures that all students gain practical experience that enhances their competitiveness for employment or graduate school admission. Elizabethtown graduates enter fields including education, healthcare, business, communications, and social services, with strong representation in helping professions that align with the college's service values. Graduate school acceptance rates demonstrate the effectiveness of academic preparation, with Elizabethtown graduates succeeding in competitive programs across disciplines. Alumni report high levels of satisfaction with their preparation for both career success and meaningful life beyond work, crediting the college with developing character alongside competence.

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