Grounded in the liberal arts and sciences, Elmira College provides a collaborative and supportive environment that enables students to become active learners, effective leaders, responsible community members, and globally engaged citizens.

At Elmira College, students are more than a number. Small class sizes with individual attention in and out of the classroom create a learning environment in which students achieve their personal and professional goals. Our distinctive academic calendar and first-year experience offer students the chance to learn and grow on campus and abroad in ways uncommon at other institutions.

Elmira College students are afforded wonderful extracurricular opportunities in athletics and student organizations. By the time students commence from Elmira College, they have an education that will serve them the rest of their lives.

About Elmira College

Founded in 1855, Elmira was the first college for women with a course of study equal in rigor to the best men's colleges. -Female seminaries- as they were called at the time, were essentially glorified high schools. In contrast, from its very inception, Elmira College offered rigorous academic programs. EC became coeducational in 1969, and today has an undergraduate enrollment of approximately 800 full-time, mostly residential students. The College also offers advanced certificates, master degree programs, and non-credit courses for professional development.The College is home to the Center for Mark Twain Studies, which encompasses the Mark Twain Study, Mark Twain Archives, and Quarry Farm. The Center attracts Twain scholars from around the world and is one of four historically significant Twain heritage sites in the U.S.

Mission Statement

Grounded in the liberal arts and sciences, Elmira College provides a collaborative and supportive environment that enables students to become active learners, effective leaders, responsible community members, and globally engaged citizens.  Proud of its history and tradition, the College is committed to the ideals of community engagement and intellectual and personal growth.