Gettysburg College

Key Highlights

• Private non-profit institution with strong academic tradition
• Welcoming campus environment
• Strong focus on undergraduate education
• Diverse academic programs across multiple disciplines

Student Life & Environment

Life at Gettysburg College unfolds on a 200-acre campus that blends historic stone buildings with newer facilities, all set in the rolling farmland of Adams County. The residential nature of the college means nearly all students live on campus throughout their four years, creating a self-contained community where social life and academic life constantly overlap. First-year students live together in designated halls with resident advisors and programming designed to ease the transition from high school. Upperclassmen move into apartment-style housing, Greek houses, or themed residence halls built around shared interests. Greek organizations claim a significant portion of the student body, with roughly one-third of students joining fraternities or sororities. These groups drive much of the social programming, hosting parties and events while also organizing community service projects. For those not interested in Greek life, alternatives exist through clubs spanning interests from outdoor recreation to cultural organizations to academic honor societies. Division III athletics let students compete at serious levels while keeping their primary identity as students rather than athletes. Gettysburg fields teams in 23 sports, and athletes participate in campus life fully rather than being separated into athletic bubbles. The town offers coffee shops, restaurants, and battlefield tours, while larger cities sit about an hour away for weekend trips.

Location & Surroundings

Gettysburg sits in south-central Pennsylvania, about an hour north of Baltimore and 80 miles from both Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. The town of roughly 7,500 residents exists in an unusual duality, serving as both a working small town and a major historical destination that draws visitors from around the world. The Gettysburg National Military Park surrounds the campus, with monuments, memorials, and preserved battlefields creating an atmosphere unlike any other college setting. Students jog past cannon emplacements and study in buildings that served as hospitals during those terrible July days in 1863. The rural setting means on-campus life dominates, as students cannot simply walk to urban entertainment. Main Street Gettysburg offers restaurants, cafes, and shops that provide some variety, and the surrounding orchards and farms create scenic beauty during apple-picking season. Students with cars can reach Baltimore, Philadelphia, or D.C. for concerts, professional sports, internships, and the cultural attractions those cities offer. The Appalachian Trail passes nearby, offering hiking opportunities, and ski resorts in the mountains provide winter recreation. The location works for students who want a contained campus community with occasional urban escapes rather than those seeking constant city stimulation.

Costs & Career Outcomes

Gettysburg College charges tuition, fees, room, and board totaling approximately $75,000 per year at full price, placing it among the expensive liberal arts colleges though by no means at the very top. This sticker price causes understandable concern for many families, but the college distributes substantial financial aid that reduces what most students actually pay. Roughly 90% of students receive some form of financial assistance, whether need-based aid, merit scholarships, or both. The average aid package covers a significant portion of total costs. Need-based financial aid requires FAFSA and CSS Profile submissions, with the financial aid office evaluating family circumstances and packaging aid accordingly. Merit scholarships recognize academic achievement, with awards ranging from partial to substantial tuition coverage. Gettysburg College graduates enter careers and graduate programs with the critical thinking skills, communication abilities, and broad knowledge base that employers and admissions committees value. The liberal arts approach means students rarely train for specific jobs but develop adaptable capabilities that serve them across careers they cannot yet imagine. Alumni work in law, medicine, business, education, government, nonprofit organizations, and creative fields, often finding that their undergraduate experience prepared them to navigate changes and challenges throughout their working lives.

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