•AVERAGE: 69
Houghton College is a private, coeducational, Christian liberal arts institution located in Houghton, New York. Established in 1883, Houghton College began as a seminary (high school) under the Wesleyan Methodist Connection. In 1923 the school received its provisional charter from New York State, followed by a permanent charter which was granted in 1927. Houghton College has continued under the sponsorship of the Wesleyan Church, though representatives from more than two dozen Christian denominations make up its student body. A high ranking institution, Houghton College has been named a “Best National” Liberal Arts College by U.S. News & World Report, one of America’s Top Colleges and Universities by Forbes, as well as one of the Safest College Campuses in the Nation (Niche Rankings).
Academic Programs
Houghton College’s mission is to provide “an academically challenging, Christ-centered education in the liberal arts and sciences to students from diverse traditions and economic backgrounds and equips them to lead and labor as scholar-servants in a changing world.” The College is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and has been so since 1935.Houghton College offers undergraduate majors in nearly 50 fields. The College is divided into multiple Departments which cover the areas of Art; Communication; English and Writing; Biblical Studies, Theology and Philosophy; Intercultural Studies; World Languages and Literatures; Education; Physical and Health Education; Biology; Chemistry; Mathematics; Physics, Computer Science and Engineering; Business and Economics; History and Political Science; Sport, Recreation and Wellness; Sport, Recreation and Wellness; and Psychology and Sociology. Houghton College also boasts the Greatbatch School of Music which offers the College’s only graduate programs, including the Master of Arts in Music, Master of Music in Collaborative Performance, Master of Music in Composition, Master of Music in Conducting, and the Master of Music in Performance in addition to several other undergraduate music programs.
Student Life
Houghton College has a total enrollment figure of more than 1,000, the vast majority of whom are undergraduate students. Within Houghton College’s undergraduate student body are students from more than 30 states and nearly 40 foreign nations. A “distinctively residential community”, the majority of Houghton College’s students, faculty and staff live either on campus or close nearby. Several student resident halls offer on-campus accommodations and students enjoy hanging out at the campus coffee shop, VanDyk Lounge, Nielson physical education center, Fitness center, and Big Al’s Grille.Houghton College recognizes nearly 20 official campus clubs and organizations, including the Campus Activities Board, Equestrian Society, Gadfly Society (for Philosophy majors), the Global Christian Fellowship, LIFE Club, Paddle Sports, Psychology Club, Spanish Club, Student Government Association and more. These and other campus activities and events provide students with opportunity to forge friendships and make valuable connections outside of the classroom setting. As an NCAA Division III school, Houghton College fields a number of intercollegiate teams which compete in the Empire 8 Conference.