Connecticut College

Connecticut College (Conn College or Conn) is a private liberal arts college located in New London, in the U.S. state of Connecticut.

The college was founded in 1911, as Connecticut College for Women, in response to Wesleyan University closing its doors to women (the college changed its name to Connecticut College in 1969 when it began admitting men). The campus is located on the Thames River, overlooking the Long Island Sound on the highest point in New London. It is a member of the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC), and is considered to be among the group of colleges called the "Little Ivies." Forbes ranked Connecticut College 70th in its 2012 America's Best Colleges overall list, and 40th among liberal arts colleges and U.S. News and World Report ranked the school 41st among the top liberal arts colleges in 2012.

Known for its interdisciplinary academic centers, Connecticut College is in the midst of a major fundraising and building campaign. Over the past several years the college has renovated many of its older dormitories, completed numerous classroom renovations, and constructed a new fitness center. The college recently completed a $25 million renovation of the Science Center at New London Hall, and is continuing to renovate the remainder of its older dormitories and classroom spaces.

Connecticut College's fourth strategic plan (2004) introduced the college's new mission statement: "Connecticut College educates students to put the liberal arts into action as citizens in a global society."

The college's 2012-13 comprehensive fee (covering tuition, fees, room and board) is $56,790. The college points out, "If you qualify for financial aid, you and your family could pay less than you might at a school with much lower tuition and fees." To this point, the average grant award (financial aid that a student does not have to pay back) at Connecticut College is about $30,390. Furthermore, 48% of enrolled Connecticut College students receive some form of financial aid (totaling more than $28.9 million in financial aid awarded in 2010-2011), with 85% of the financial aid budget in the form of grants. Overall, the average financial aid award is $32,708.