Environmental liberal arts college on Lake Superior's shore, now closed after 133 years.
Northland College was an accredited private liberal arts institution offering undergraduate programs with an integrated environmental emphasis across all disciplines. The college was known for its environmental studies, Native American studies, and sustainability initiatives. It was accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and offered 15 varsity sports through NCAA Division III competition.
Environmental commitment was central to Northland's identity. The college hosted its first environmental conference in 1971 and established the Sigurd Olson Environmental Institute in 1972. Campus sustainability features included a wind turbine, photovoltaic arrays, geothermal heating/cooling, and LEED Gold-certified buildings. The college was recognized by Sierra Magazine, Princeton Review, Forbes, and the Sustainable Endowments Institute for environmental leadership.
The 130-acre rural campus in Ashland, Wisconsin sat ten blocks from Lake Superior's shore, providing internship opportunities with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Wisconsin DNR, and USGS. The campus featured 19 major buildings, including Wheeler Hall (1892, on the National Register of Historic Places) and the Ponzio Campus Center (2003). The college maintained a smoke-free campus policy since 1991.
Northland maintained close relationships with nearby Lac Courte Oreilles, Bad River, and Red Cliff Ojibwe reservations. The college offered courses in Native American history, language, and culture, plus a degree in Native American studies. In 2011, it received a $163,383 grant to establish a Native American and Indigenous Culture Center.
In spring 2024, the college announced severe financial distress, requiring $12 million to remain operational. After raising $1.5 million from 900 donors, administrators announced a restructured model in May 2024. However, on February 19, 2025, the college announced it would close at the end of the 2024–2025 academic year, holding its final commencement on May 24, 2025.