Atlanta's premier private liberal arts college with 1,500 students, founded 1835, known for personal mentorship and the historic Crypt of Civilization.
Oglethorpe offers a rigorous liberal arts education with 60+ majors and programs. The distinctive Oglethorpe Core is a 4-year integrated sequence where students begin major coursework immediately rather than delaying until year three. Faculty are active scholars and mentors; the student-faculty ratio is 14:1 with an average class size of 17, and 99% of classes have fewer than 30 students. The university is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and houses the Q. William Hammack Jr. School of Business, established through a transformational $50 million gift in 2017.
The 700-acre suburban campus in Brookhaven features Gothic Revival architecture, with key buildings added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1994. Notable facilities include the Oglethorpe University Museum of Art (opened 1984), the Conant Performing Arts Center (1997), the Philip Weltner Library, and the IW 'Ike' Cousins Center for Science and Innovation (2019). The campus is home to the Crypt of Civilization, a time capsule scheduled to open in AD 8113. Student traditions include Oglethorpe Day (February) and the Boar's Head Feast (first Friday of December). Nearly 60% of students identify as students of color; 36% are first-generation college students.
Oglethorpe admits first-year, transfer, international, and homeschooled students. The university offers merit scholarships and the Flagship 50 program, which provides affordable tuition for academically qualified students at public institution prices. Approximately 99% of students receive financial aid. The application is available online, with rolling admissions for Fall 2026.
88% of Oglethorpe graduates are employed or enrolled in graduate school within six months of graduation. The university's career development services and tight-knit alumni network support student placement in their chosen fields. The location in metro Atlanta (population ~6 million) provides internship and cultural opportunities to build careers and well-rounded experiences.