The College of Wooster

Every Wooster student graduates having completed an Independent Study (I.S.)—a yearlong, faculty-mentored research project that's the academic cornerstone of the college. With an 11:1 student-faculty ratio and no declared majors for incoming students, Wooster encourages interdisciplinary exploration across 50+ areas of study. Popular majors include Computer Science (6% of graduates) and History (5%), but the curriculum demands breadth: humanities students take quantitative courses, while STEM majors engage with the arts.

• Signature Program: Independent Study (required for all students)
• Student-Faculty Ratio: 11:1
• Notable Stats: 94% of graduates report being accepted into their top-choice grad program

Wooster's 240-acre campus hums with a quirky, collaborative energy. Students describe it as a 'giant family' where 85% live on campus, bonding over traditions like the 'I.S. Monday' celebration (where seniors ring a bell after submitting their theses) and the 'Scot Spirit' that pervades Division III athletics. The college's Wooster in India program underscores its global outlook, while 100+ student organizations—from politics to theater—keep weekends lively. Reviews consistently praise the 'beautifully maintained' grounds and unusually supportive faculty who 'treat students like colleagues.'

Wooster punches above its weight in graduate outcomes. The six-year graduation rate sits at 74-77%, well above the national average, with Pell Grant recipients graduating at a 78% rate—a testament to strong support systems. Alumni earn a median $36,427 one year post-graduation, with 96% employed or in grad school within six months. Notably, the college's emphasis on research pays off: 94% of graduates gain admission to their first-choice graduate program, often citing their I.S. experience as decisive.

Wooster meets 100% of demonstrated need, with 63% of students receiving financial aid and an average aid package of $59,425. The net price?Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. calculator suggests typical costs after aid hover around $28,004, though Pell Grant recipients often pay significantly less. The college's early aid estimator provides personalized projections, and its rolling aid notifications (starting January 1) reduce the guesswork for families.

Wooster's magic lies in its mandatory undergraduate research—the I.S. program transforms students into independent scholars, with many describing it as their 'professional calling card.' Unlike peer institutions where research is optional, Wooster's ethos ensures every graduate leaves with substantive original work. Combined with a strikingly supportive faculty (who often co-publish with students) and a campus culture that balances rigor with quirky traditions, it's a college for students who want to be challenged but never coddled. As one Reddit reviewer put it: 'Academics are top-notch, but it's the people who make it feel like home.'