Press Releases | General Education

12 Top Colleges Named

ACTA Urges Families to Consider a "Sampler" of Twelve Schools with Outstanding Liberal Arts Core Curricula
December 4, 2000

WASHINGTON, DC—As thousands of students across the country ponder college applications, the American Council of Trustees and Alumni today urged families to consider a “sampler” of twelve schools with outstanding liberal arts core curricula.

Ranging from what ACTA calls a “Southern Gem,” to “Urban Chic,” and “Science Plus,” the list includes both public and private schools, large and small institutions, and urban and rural settings. The list follows:

Auburn University – “A Southern Gem”

Boston University – “Urban Chic”

Brooklyn College – “Harvard for the Poor”

California Institute of Technology – “Science Plus”

Claremont McKenna College – “The Educated Businessman”

Columbia University – “The Original Great Books Core”

St. John’s College – “The Four-Year Core”

St. Olaf College – “The Great Conversation”

Thomas Aquinas College – “A Catholic St. John’s”

University of Chicago – “Still Great”

University of Dallas – “Western Civilization in a Western Setting”

University of North Carolina, Asheville – “A Public Ivy”

“A coherent, comprehensive curriculum which introduces students to the highest achievements of human civilization should be a priority for every institution,” said ACTA president Jerry L. Martin. “At a time when many colleges have loose requirements that do not convey necessary knowledge to students, these schools offer a solid liberal arts curriculum and good teaching as well.”

WHO WE ARE

Launched in 1995, we are the only organization that works with alumni, donors, trustees, and education leaders across the United States to support liberal arts education, uphold high academic standards, safeguard the free exchange of ideas on campus, and ensure that the next generation receives an intellectually rich, high-quality college education at an affordable price.

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