Best Colleges in Lancaster

More than 200 years ago, Benjamin Franklin donated 200 English pounds to start the school now known as Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster, Pa. These days, the institution is a well-regarded liberal arts college home to top-notch research and innovative student programming. One unique component of life as an F&M student is the "Harry Potter"-esque living situation. All first-year students are assigned to one of five college houses, known as Bonchek, Brooks, Weis, New and Ware. Each house is overseen by faculty members called dons and prefects. In each College House, students live together, share meals and plan and attend events. First-year students must live in their college house. Sophomores, juniors and seniors can choose to as well. In addition to activities through the college houses, students can choose from roughly 90 clubs and organizations, including nearly a dozen fraternities and sororities. The Greek system draws more females than males; about 20% of men join, compared to about 30% of women. The F&M Diplomats sports teams are members of the NCAA Division III Centennial Conference and are especially competitive in men’s basketball and women’s lacrosse. Academic and extracurricular life stops each Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 12:35 p.m. for Common Hour, a small window of time for students and faculty to attend a campuswide lecture, movie snippet or event.

Elizabethtown College is situated in Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania, in Lancaster County. Known as "E-town" to students, the college is located near Harrisburg, Lancaster and Philadelphia. Students admitted to the college have the opportunity to choose from a list of student groups and multiple intramural sports throughout the year. Every full-time student at Elizabethtown College is expected to live in a college-owned residential facility, but students can qualify for an exemption if they are classified as commuters. Known as the Blue Jays, Elizabethtown's sports teams mainly compete in the Commonwealth Conference in the NCAA Division III.

Founded in 1855, Millersville University of Pennsylvania is a public institution.

Founded in 1933, Lancaster Bible College is a private institution.

Founded in 1982, Pennsylvania College of Art & Design is a private institution. The school has 92.4% of its classes with fewer than 20 students.