Hiram College

With 31 majors and 41 minors, Hiram's academic offerings skew practical: business (19% of degrees), biology (17%), and health professions (14%) dominate. The college promotes 'academic excellence and social responsibility,' per Washington Monthly, which ranked it among Ohio's top liberal arts schools. Standouts include:

• A dual-degree engineering program with Case Western
• Robust pre-professional tracks (medicine, law, vet)
• Nursing and education programs with GPA benchmarks (2.8+ required)

The 10:1 student-faculty ratio enables signature experiential learning—internships and research are baked into the curriculum. Most majors start by sophomore year, but sciences demand early commitment.

Life revolves around the residential campus (83% live on-site) where students describe a 'friendly, approachable' vibe. The rural Hiram, OH location fosters closeness—think pickup soccer games and dorm movie nights rather than urban distractions. Resources tilt toward support services, hinting at the population's needs:

• Free tutoring and mental health counseling
• Active career center (85% grads stay in Ohio)
• 'Vibrant' but limited clubs (no Greek life)

Weekend options lean wholesome: hiking at nearby James H. Barrow Field Station or road trips to Cleveland (45 mins away). The 1,100-student body skews Midwestern and middle-class.

Hiram's 56% six-year graduation rate (per IPEDS) reflects its mission to serve academic late-bloomers—Pell Grant recipients graduate at 51% vs. 59% for others. Early career earnings are modest ($36,427 at 1 year, $40,270 by year 6), though 93% find employment. The college touts:

• 85% of grads remain in Ohio, often at regional employers like Cleveland Clinic
• Strong grad school placement for pre-professional tracks
• A decade-long streak on Colleges of Distinction lists for outcomes

It's a launchpad for students who benefit from personal attention but may need extra time to find their footing.

Hiram's $27,142 net price (after aid) makes it a relative bargain among private colleges, with 99% of first-years receiving grants. Aid packages average $23,164, though loans fill gaps. Key details:

• Tuition discounts heavily: published $25,000 cost vs. actual $21,362 average
• Federal aid dominates (Pell Grants for 37% of undergrads)
• Merit scholarships range $5,500-$7,500 annually

The 'Tuition Guarantee' locks rates for four years—a plus for budget-conscious families. Still, median debt at graduation hovers near national averages.

Hiram is the anti-prestige liberal arts college—a place where B students get faculty mentorship typically reserved for A-listers at elite schools. Its superpower? Turning modest academic records into solid careers through:

• Hyper-local job networks (Cleveland employers actively recruit)
• No-frills professional programs (nursing grads pass NCLEX at 91%)
• Stubborn commitment to access (near-open admissions with support)

Best for those who want a small-town college experience with just enough structure to push them through. Not a name-dropper's school, but a workhorse that gets the job done.