Overview of Grove City College
Grove City College, located in Grove City, Pennsylvania, is a private, Christian liberal arts college with a rich history dating back to its founding in 1876. Known for its commitment to academic excellence, Christian values, and a strong sense of community, Grove City College provides a distinctive educational experience rooted in its Christian traditions. Here is a comprehensive overview of the college, encompassing its history, academic programs, campus life, and values.
History and Christian Heritage: Founded by Isaac Ketler, Grove City College has deep roots in the Christian and Presbyterian traditions. Throughout its history, the college has maintained a commitment to providing a rigorous education within the framework of its Christian worldview. The college’s Christian heritage is reflected in its mission, values, and the integration of faith into all aspects of campus life.
Academic Programs: Grove City College offers a comprehensive array of undergraduate programs in the liberal arts and sciences. The curriculum is designed to provide students with a broad-based education, fostering critical thinking, effective communication, and a deep understanding of diverse disciplines.
Majors at Grove City College span various fields, including business, engineering, humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and education. The college places a strong emphasis on academic rigor, and its faculty members are dedicated educators who prioritize teaching, mentorship, and the integration of Christian principles into the learning experience.
Liberal Arts Education: Grove City College adheres to the liberal arts tradition, emphasizing the importance of a well-rounded education that goes beyond specialized vocational training. The liberal arts curriculum at the college encourages students to engage with a diverse range of subjects, cultivating intellectual curiosity and a broad perspective on the world.
This holistic approach to education is designed to prepare students not only for their chosen careers but also for a lifetime of learning, adaptability, and ethical decision-making. The liberal arts education at Grove City College aims to develop critical thinking skills, effective communication, and a strong foundation in ethical principles.
Faith Integration: At Grove City College, the integration of faith and learning is a central tenet of the educational experience. The college seeks to foster an environment where students can explore the intersection of faith and academic disciplines. This integration is not confined to religious studies; rather, it permeates all aspects of the curriculum and campus life.
Chapel services, spiritual formation programs, and a commitment to Christian values contribute to the college’s mission of nurturing students in their spiritual growth. The integration of faith into the academic environment reflects the college’s commitment to developing individuals who are not only intellectually competent but also grounded in their Christian faith.
Campus Life: Grove City College provides a vibrant campus life with a variety of student organizations, clubs, and activities. The campus is designed to foster a sense of community, where students can engage in extracurricular pursuits, leadership development, and cultural events.
Student organizations cover a wide range of interests, including academic clubs, service organizations, cultural and artistic groups, and athletic teams. The college’s commitment to providing a well-rounded campus experience aligns with its goal of developing students holistically, encompassing their intellectual, spiritual, and social dimensions.
Strong Sense of Community: Grove City College is known for its strong sense of community. The college’s emphasis on relationships, mutual respect, and shared values contributes to a supportive and tight-knit community. Students often describe the campus as a place where meaningful connections are forged, and a sense of belonging is fostered.
The residential nature of the campus, with the majority of students living on campus, further enhances the sense of community. The college’s commitment to community building aligns with its Christian values and creates an environment where students can grow, learn, and support one another.
Admissions and Values: Grove City College has a selective admissions process that considers factors such as academic achievements, standardized test scores, extracurricular involvement, and personal character. The college seeks students who not only excel academically but also demonstrate a commitment to the college’s Christian values and mission.
The values of Grove City College are rooted in its Christian heritage and include a commitment to academic excellence, personal responsibility, community engagement, and the integration of faith into all aspects of life. The college’s values guide its educational philosophy and contribute to the unique character of the Grove City College experience.
Athletics and Extracurricular Activities: Grove City College participates in NCAA Division III athletics as a member of the Presidents’ Athletic Conference (PAC). The Wolverines, as the college’s athletic teams are known, compete in a variety of sports, providing students with opportunities for athletic engagement, teamwork, and physical well-being.
Extracurricular activities extend beyond athletics and include a range of student-led initiatives, cultural events, and service projects. The college’s commitment to offering a diverse array of extracurricular activities supports the holistic development of students and contributes to a well-rounded college experience.
Financial and Operational Independence: One notable aspect of Grove City College is its commitment to financial and operational independence. The college is known for not accepting federal funding, including federal student aid programs. This financial independence is rooted in the college’s desire to maintain control over its mission and values without being subject to certain federal regulations.
This unique stance sets Grove City College apart in the higher education landscape and reflects its commitment to preserving its Christian identity and educational philosophy.
Grove City College stands as a distinctive Christian liberal arts institution with a strong commitment to academic excellence, faith integration, and community. The college’s emphasis on a well-rounded education, values-based approach, and financial independence contributes to its unique identity within the realm of higher education. Prospective students interested in a Christian liberal arts education, a close-knit community, and a commitment to academic and spiritual growth may find Grove City College to be a fitting choice.
100 Campus Drive Grove City, PA 16127
Phone: (724) 458-2100
Email: admissions@gcc.edu
Web site: http://www.gcc.edu
Rankings: Grove City College
Located in Grove City, PA, Grove City College is one of the best universities in the state of Pennsylvania. On this page, you will find in-depth rankings for Grove City College in the following areas: graduation rates, teaching resources, financing opportunities, and alumni donations. Latest acceptance rate is also given to show how competitive is Grove City College.
| Rankings, Ratings, and Admissions Statistics | |
| Peer college rating (out of 5) | 2.5 |
| Graduation and retention ranking: | 43 |
| Average freshman retention rate: | 91.5% |
| 6-year graduation rate: | 85.0% |
| Predicted graduation rate: | 83% |
| Overperformance(+)/Underperformance(-): | 2 |
| Faculty resources ranking: | 243 |
| Classes with under 20 students (2020): | 39.9% |
| Classes with 50 or more students (2020): | 6.7% |
| Student faculty ratio (2020): | 15:1 |
| Percent of faculty who are full-time (2020) | 85.9% |
| Student selectivity ranking: | 51 |
| SAT/ACT 25th-75th percentile (2020) | 1150-1389 |
| 2020 Freshmen in top 10 percent of high school class: | 52% |
| Freshmen in top 25 percent of high school class (2020): | 81% |
| Fall 2020 Acceptance rate: | 56.3% |
| Financial resources rank: | 242 |
| Alumni giving rank: | 135 |
| Average alumni giving rate (2020): | 24.3% |
Essential Facts: Grove City College
- At Grove City College, opportunities for STEM majors are practically unlimited. Perhaps that explains why nearly 40% of the College’s 2,500 students are enrolled in a major in The Hopeman School.
- The school currently maintains a one-to-one ratio of men to women, ensuring that the student body is approximately 50% men and 50% women.
- Grove City College is a Christian liberal arts school located in northwestern Pennsylvania, about 60 miles north of Pittsburgh.
Rules and regulations Sports Activities
| General Information | |
| Percent of undergraduate students who live in college-owned, operated, or affiliated housing: | 94% |
| Percent of undergraduates who are members of a fraternity: | 18% |
| Percent of student body who are members of a sorority: | 21% |
| Average percentage of students on campus during weekends: | 80% |
| Are all students permitted to have cars on campus? | No |
| Percent of students who have cars on campus: | 75% |
| Is alcohol permitted on campus for students of legal age? | No |
| Additional policies and regulations: | class attendance mandatory, honor code, hazing prohibited |
| Collegiate athletic association: | NCAA III |
| Men’s scholarship sports: | N/A |
| Women’s scholarship sports: | N/A |
| Student activities: | choral groups, concert band, dance, drama/theater, jazz band, literary magazine, marching band, music ensembles, musical theater, opera, pep band, radio station, student government, student newspaper, symphony orchestra, television station, yearbook |