COLLEGE REVIEW FROM A RECENT CAMPUS VISIT---PRINCIPIA COLLEGE

I just got home from visiting the most incredible college campus---Principia College in Elsah, Illinois (less than an hour outside the St. Louis metropolitan area.)

In many ways, to the 3.4 million high school seniors throughout the United States, this is a brand-new college---never before on their radar.

From 1934 until 2022, they admitted only students who were members of the Christian Science religion. Now, beginning in 2022, they welcome students of all faith backgrounds. The only religious requirement is one religion class as part of their liberal arts curriculum. It is a dry campus.

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About Principia College:

2,600 acre campus, including native grasslands, wetlands, oak-hickory forests, ponds, and streams, with majors in sustainability, ecology, and ecosystem management. Students who are “outdoorsy” will love this campus!

Students make high-quality maple syrup as a project-based class.

A nationally ranked Mediation Team (great for pre-law and business students)

Students create visual art in spacious classrooms on the river bluffs, with breathtaking views of the Mississippi. Very strong theatre and dance programs as well. Technical theatre, as an emphasis, is especially strong and unique.

A robust study-abroad program. Principia College offers faculty-led, experiential study abroad programs focused on global citizenship, featuring in-country study for up to 10 weeks. Current & upcoming destinations include Greece, French Polynesia, and Italy/Malta (2025), as well as Finland and Scotland/England.

A large campus with close to a million square feet of buildings.

Excellent merit scholarship program. Merit scholarships for students with at least a 3.0 range from $14K to $26K. The average out of pocket cost (without loans) is about $18K. (Tuition is $34,800, Housing and Food is approximately $14,000)

D3 athletics is very strong (over half of students on campus are athletes).

Indoor tennis courts and indoor Olympic-size pool for a college this size amazing facilities.

The college enjoys financial stability with a 1.1 billion endowment (that is billion with a “b”).

All for a total of 300 students. Yes. Not a typo. 300.

They want to increase their student body to 500…which is why I am writing this review. They deserve a look!

Folks, this is not the Principia College that you thought you knew. As I indicated, it has made significant changes over the last few years. It made a transition from 100% Christian Science…to a mildly religious Christian college with students from multiple faith traditions. It is diverse (LGBTQ-friendly and ethnically diverse, with students from 27 states and 32 nations). Some of the more unique offerings that I found out about when I recently spent two days on their campus include the Improv Theatre troupe, the Timber Rattlesnakes Research team, a solar-powered car, and they are home to Benny the 17,500 year old mammoth they found buried on their campus a few years ago.

Principia is in a very secluded area (the tiny village is Elsah, Illinois, which is only an hour from the Saint Louis, Missouri, airport), so there is not much to do off-campus for the students. The good news is that there is a lot to do on-campus. So if students like a quieter, more rural college setting, this would be a good fit.

Majors: Music, Music Studies, Performing Arts, Visual Arts, Chemistry, Ecology, Ecosystem Management, Sustainability, Creative Writing, Digital Media and Journalism, History, Religious Studies, Computer Science, Mathematics, Business Administration, Economics, Educational Studies, Global Studies, Philosophy, and Political Science.

D3 Sports:

Women’s Sports: Basketball, Cross Country, Soccer, Softball, Tennis, Track & Field (Indoor/Outdoor), Volleyball.

Men’s Sports: Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Soccer, Tennis, Track & Field (Indoor/Outdoor), Rugby.

Principia’s website and virtual tour are amazing. When I was on their campus, I stayed at their Guest House which is like staying at a regular hotel…only fancier! 12 rooms (currently no TV’s…bring a book!). Visitors to campus can stay at the Guest House if they make arrangements in advance. Such friendly and welcoming people all over campus!

If you like a quiet, peaceful, wooded, hilly, remote, active, and friendly college experience…with small classes, an environmental/ecological focus, study-abroad opportunities, and incredible internship opportunities, check out Principia. I loved my visit.