Grove City College (GCC)

Grove City College draws "conscientious and hardworking" students who have "high standards for themselves and others in both academic and personal areas." Students appreciate the "Christ-centered learning" and find that the "rigorous coursework" creates an overall academic experience that "truly prepares people for the real world." The school offers 70 majors and every student takes the humanities core-a series of five courses centered around analyzing Bible scriptures alongside significant events in Western civilization. Students appreciate that Grove City "makes their students branch out and learn a lot of different material so that they are well-rounded." For instance, there's an entrepreneurship class where teams of students create their own businesses, and education majors spend time each week at local schools. Among the greatest strengths of Grove City are the professors. In the classroom, students speak to how they're "very engaging" and "willing and eager to answer questions" as they "bring the material to life." Out of it, students appreciate that they "always make time for their students no matter what" and overall, instructors are "very caring, and they want us all to do well." Its professors "provide challenging, yet achievable expectations" and "always have connections that help a lot of students get jobs right out of college." Overall, the school provides "many options for students to get real world experience while still in school, which makes the transition from in school to postgraduation much easier."

Students at Grove City are “extremely friendly and academically driven.” It’s a “very social” campus and “no matter where you turn at Grove City, there is always someone who is excited to see you.” There’s a community feeling and students actively “seek out opportunities to connect with others and be involved in campus life.” Being “passionate about pursuing a relationship with God” or having a shared belief in Christianity creates a quick bond between students and allows “for Christ-centered conversation to flow through all aspects of campus life.” Another commonality among students is in their being “Groverachievers,” which is to say, “hard workers who are passionate and respectful.” However, as one student explains, they’re “also quite capable of relaxing and having fun as a group.” Classmates can count on their peers for support: “the schoolwork is hard, but the students are here to help each other.” Another student agrees, saying, “[my peers] are so encouraging. From uplifting me in my academics to walking alongside me in my relationship with Jesus, I feel very supported here all around.”

Grove City is located about an hour outside Pittsburgh, PA, and when the weather is nice, students can be found on the quad playing games like spike ball or simply enjoying the sun. Intramural sports are popular, and there are "loads of different clubs on campus to fit any type of student's interests," whether that's swing dancing, fencing, or exploring the outdoors. According to students, Bible study and attending church are also popular. The school hosts many activities and "on weekend nights there are usually 3 or so big events going on that you have to choose between." There are also plenty of Greek life events and "movie nights are also a crowd favorite." The surrounding town is a "little quiet" and while there are things to do, "they can get repetitive." Consequently, there is "far more activity on-campus than off-campus." Many students enjoy attending sporting events, and Homecoming is "one of the best events that Grove City College has." Students also note that the RAs "strive to build a strong community on their halls." As one student explains, "I know my hall so well and we are comfortable with dropping into each other's dorm rooms or planning silly events together."

Boasting “very high job placement rates,” Grove City College prides itself on helping students succeed during and after their formal education. One student says, “The greatest strength of my school is how dedicated they are to helping students find a job and create a future…in any way that they can and [they] have special events to help students network.” Over 200 on-campus and virtual recruiting events are hosted in a typical year, and the school’s signature Fall Career Fair is one of the biggest in the region. Students don’t attend these events unprepared: the office provides numerous workshops, mock interviews, career coaching, and resume blitzes to get students employment-ready. In 2021, 96 percent of Grove City graduates secured employment or admission to graduate school. Payscale.com says Grove City graduates earn a median starting salary of $64,900, and 52 percent find a high level of meaning in their job.