College Profile:
Elmhurst College

What College Ought To Be

Since it was founded in 1871, Elmhurst College has prepared graduates for lives of expanding service, opportunity, and achievement. A premier private, four-year comprehensive college in metropolitan Chicago, Elmhurst offers students of many ages and backgrounds purposeful learning for the whole of life. Its curriculum brings together both the practical and professional relevance of the liberal arts tradition—a synergy of both of these two indispensable elements of a complete college education.

Its primary strength is the recognized excellence of the programs and faculty. Elmhurst College consistently ranks in the top tier of regional liberal arts colleges in the Midwest according to “America’s Best Colleges,” the annual survey by U.S. News & World Report. More than ninety percent of the faculty hold doctorates or equivalent degrees. These talented scholars are at Elmhurst because they love to teach in an environment where they come to know their students as individuals, with distinct outlooks and unique gifts.

Elmhurst’s primary mission is to enable its students to achieve their full potential. The College accomplishes this mission by providing a comprehensive range of academic offerings: 58 programs of study in 22 departments, along with seven graduate programs. Classes are small (average class size is 19 students), and in partnership with Elmhurst faculty and staff, the College’s 2,600 students form an authentic community of learners – open to truth and opportunity and committed to service and meaningful work.

Elmhurst is located on a picturesque, 38-acre, arboretum site, 16 miles west of the Chicago Loop. The campus, as well as its facilities and meeting rooms, are available to the public all year round. The College’s outstanding Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic (now 55 years strong) offers children and adults individualized diagnoses and treatment. Dozens of concerts, lectures, plays, and athletic events are offered to community members free, or for a small charge.

Newly renovated campus facilities include the state-of-the-art A.C. Buehler Library, Langhorst Field (soccer, track, and football), and the Frick Center (student union). Elmhurst also offers well-equipped laboratories, excellent classrooms and computer facilities, residence halls for 800 students, and the Tyrell Fitness Center.

The future of the institution looks bright too: the largest comprehensive campaign in Elmhurst College history (the “Vision In Action” campaign) is nearing its fund-raising goal of $40 million. That money is earmarked to support student success, secure the College’s future, and further advance educational quality.

Students may earn the traditional degrees of Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science, as well as Bachelor of Music or Bachelor of Liberal Studies degree. Pre-professional studies are offered in law, dentistry, medicine, engineering, theology, physical therapy, and library science.

Elmhurst students take part in more than 90 different organizations on campus, including the College’s famed Jazz Band. The Bluejay athletic teams compete in 16 intercollegiate sports at the NCAA Division III level.

Challenging, aspiring, welcoming, and effective – Elmhurst is what college ought to be.