
Williamsport, PAprivate nonprofitlycoming.edu
Lycoming College is a small, residential liberal arts college in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, where over 85% of students live on campus—creating a tight-knit, immersive community. With a 74% acceptance rate and a focus on undergraduate teaching, it attracts students who thrive in a supportive environment with strong pre-professional programs in criminology, business, and psychology. The college punches above its weight in financial aid, offering substantial scholarships to make its private education accessible.
Lycoming College is moderately selective, with a 74% acceptance rate—higher than the national average of 57%. The middle 50% of admitted students score between 1088–1270 on the SAT or comparable ACT scores, and 46% come from the top 20% of their high school class (average GPA: 3.49). The college is test-optional, emphasizing Holistic admissionsA review that weighs the whole applicant — grades, essays, activities, and context — rather than relying on test scores and GPA alone. over standardized scores. Notably, female applicants have a slightly higher Acceptance rateThe share of applicants a college admits in a given year. A 10% acceptance rate means it admits about 1 in 10 applicants. (76%) than male applicants (72%). Transfer students are welcomed, though specific data on their admission rates isn't publicly detailed.
Lycoming offers Bachelor of Arts (BA) and Bachelor of Science (BS) degrees across 40+ majors, with a liberal arts core. The most popular programs are criminology (38 graduates in 2023), psychology (36), business (34), and biology (25). Pre-professional tracks (pre-law, pre-med) are robust, and the college recently added a kinesiology and exercise science major to expand STEM offerings. Small class sizes—averaging 15 students—define the academic experience, fostering close faculty mentorship. Notably, Lycoming encourages double majors, with structured pathways to earn dual degrees.
Life revolves around campus: 85% of students live in college housing, creating a residential bubble with late-night diner runs and dorm traditions. The Division of Student Life orchestrates events to foster 'academic, personal, and social success,' including outdoor trips and themed parties. Instagram posts highlight students 'thinking deeply and acting boldly'—a nod to the college’s motto. Reviews praise the safety of the Williamsport area but note that the social scene leans heavily on campus-organized activities, with Greek life playing a minor role. The college actively cultivates inclusivity, recently hiring staff to bolster residential education programs.
Lycoming’s 6-year graduation rate is 69%, slightly below the national average for private colleges. However, its 4-year rate (58%) suggests some students take longer to finish, possibly due to financial gaps or double majors. Alumni earn a median salary of $36,427 one year post-graduation, rising to $56,210 after a decade—comparable to regional peers. The college touts its 'high value' in rankings, emphasizing ROI for liberal arts grads. Endowment returns have been strong (14.4% in 2024), though the total endowment remains modest at $27.5 million.
Tuition sticker shock is softened by aggressive aid: 85% of students receive need-based grants, with the average freshman package totaling $43,470 (including $39,130 in institutional scholarships). The Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost.—after aid—is $20,733, though this varies by family income. Lycoming awarded $36 million in grants/scholarships in 2024–25, a significant sum for a college of its size. The financial aid office actively recruits lower-income students, offering personalized net-price estimates to demystify costs.
Lycoming’s hyper-residential culture (85% on-campus living) fosters an all-in community where friendships form over midnight pizza and biology lab all-nighters. Its criminology program is a hidden gem, producing more grads than Ivy League peers. The college’s financial aid generosity ($36M annually) makes private education feasible for middle-class families. While not a research powerhouse, Lycoming excels at undergraduate attention—think professors who know your dog’s name. It’s for students who want a 'small pond' where they can lead clubs, star in plays, and graduate without crushing debt.