Below, we’ll share some of the top colleges with an open curriculum.
Navigating the path of higher education comes with its own set of challenges and rewards. As college students embark on their academic journeys, they encounter many experiences that shape their growth and learning. One common problem is the limitations imposed by college curricula.
Many students lament the rigidity of course selection within college curricula, feeling confined by predetermined mandatory routes. However, some colleges offer a refreshing solution: a concept known as an open curriculum.
Does that sound intriguing to you? In this article, we’ll break down everything you need to know about open curriculums and list 10 of the country’s best colleges that provide this educational approach. Believe it or not, freedom in your own curriculum is closer to you than you think! Let’s get started.
Before we start, let’s define what an open curriculum means. This is a type of curriculum where students are given flexibility and autonomy in designing their own course of study. Features such as courses, completion speed, and program length all have a degree of flexibility for students to adjust based on their own needs.
Unlike a traditional curriculum, which often includes a specific set of required courses and a fixed length and sequence, an open curriculum essentially allows students to be more decisive in their own education.
While they may still need to fulfill certain degree requirements, such as taking a minimum number of credits, specific prerequisites, or core courses, students are ultimately given more freedom and responsibility over their academic path. They can choose the courses that align most closely with their interests, goals, and career aspirations.
In the evolving field of higher education, open curricula demonstrate a distinct form of innovation and flexibility in their educational approach. Several schools have adopted open curricula to allow their students greater control over their courses, programs, and education.
From the personalized learning experience to the boundless opportunities for interdisciplinary exploration, these institutions provide many opportunities and resources for students to engage, explore, and excel in their chosen fields. Without further ado, here’s our list of the best colleges with an open curriculum.
Location: Providence, RI
Acceptance Rate: 5%
Avg. GPA: 4.1
Middle 50% SAT: 1540
Middle 50% ACT: 35
Tuition Fee: $68,230
A prestigious Ivy League institution located in Providence, Rhode Island, Brown University is renowned for its distinctive commitment to undergraduate education. Its open curriculum empowers students to craft and design their own educational paths, reflecting the school’s values of interdisciplinary learning and academic freedom.
Location: Amherst, MA
Acceptance Rate: 7%
Avg. GPA: 4.1
Middle 50% SAT: 1497
Middle 50% ACT: 34
Tuition Fee: $67,280
Amherst College is a beloved Hidden Ivy League institution in Amherst, Massachusetts. Famous for its commitment to academic excellence and close-knit community, Amherst College offers many disciplines and encourages interdisciplinary exploration. This is evident by its open curriculum, which allows students to choose their own courses.
Location: Winston-Salem, NC
Acceptance Rate: 21%
Avg. GPA: 3.91
Middle 50% SAT: 1480
Middle 50% ACT: 33
Tuition Fee: $64,758
As a distinguished institution known for its commitment to holistic education and academic excellence, Wake Forest University offers a comprehensive range of courses that encourage students to explore diverse fields of academic knowledge and skills.
Location: Poughkeepsie, NY
Acceptance Rate: 19%
Avg. GPA: 4.07
Middle 50% SAT: 1477
Middle 50% ACT: 33
Tuition Fee: $67,805
Another distinguished liberal arts institution known for its rich history and commitment to academic excellence, Vassar empowers students with a well-rounded explorative education. This college even has an open curriculum with no core classes or distribution requirements. How’s that for freedom and flexibility?
Location: Clinton, NY
Acceptance Rate: 12%
Avg. GPA: 4.0
Middle 50% SAT: 1440
Middle 50% ACT: 33
Tuition Fee: $65,740
Hamilton College is dedicated to fostering intellectual curiosity, critical thinking, and a strong sense of community among its students. With a comprehensive open curriculum that allows students to explore a wide range of disciplines, Hamilton is a place for academic research, experiential learning, and interdisciplinary studies.
Location: Rochester, NY
Acceptance Rate: 39%
Avg. GPA: 3.76
Middle 50% SAT: 1440
Middle 50% ACT: 33
Tuition Fee: $64,384
The University of Rochester is a highly prestigious institution recognized for its dedication to academic excellence and innovative research. With an open curriculum centered on students’ passions and interests, Rochester boasts its well-rounded education that prepares them for successful careers.
Location: Swarthmore, PA
Acceptance Rate: 7%
Avg. GPA: 4.09
Middle 50% SAT: 1489
Middle 50% ACT: 34
Tuition Fee: $62,412
As one of the country’s best liberal arts colleges, Swarthmore College gives students the freedom to determine their own education. It offers 600 courses in a wide range of disciplines, encourages interdisciplinary study, and even allows students to design their own special major.
Location: Grinnell, IA
Acceptance Rate: 11%
Avg. GPA: 4.03
Middle 50% SAT: 1460
Middle 50% ACT: 33
Tuition Fee: $64,862
Grinnell is a rigorous liberal arts college that provides transformative education, encouraging intellectual curiosity and critical thinking. Its open curriculum, which they refer to as an individually advised curriculum, allows students to be the mapmakers for their own academic journey with over 500 course offerings.
Location: Northampton, MA
Acceptance Rate: 23%
Avg. GPA: 4.0
Middle 50% SAT: 1415
Middle 50% ACT: 32
Tuition Fee: $61,568
Smith College is a prestigious women's liberal arts institution known for its dedication to academic excellence, empowerment, and global engagement. Promising uncompromised quality in education, Smith College takes pride in its open curriculum, providing a diverse array of options and empowering students with the autonomy to decide.
Location: Colorado Springs, CO
Acceptance Rate: 14%
Avg. GPA: 3.85
Middle 50% SAT: 1385
Middle 50% ACT: 31
Tuition Fee: $65, 028
Located next to the serene mountains of Denver, Colorado College is another place with a sworn commitment to experiential learning. Its open curriculum is both broad in its horizons and rigorous in requirements, fostering independence for its students.
Location: Amherst, MA
Acceptance Rate: 69%
Avg. GPA: 3.3
Middle 50% SAT: 1290
Middle 50% ACT: 27
Tuition Fee: $56,990
Known for its innovative and student-driven approach to education, Hampshire offers a personalized and interdisciplinary curriculum where students design their own academic pathways. The college emphasizes hands-on learning with a focus on critical thinking and creative problem-solving.
Location: Middletown, CT
Acceptance Rate: 14%
Avg. GPA: 3.28
Middle 50% SAT: 1520
Middle 50% ACT: 34
Tuition Fee: $67,016
This university uses its open curriculum to foster a diverse and inclusive community that emphasizes critical thinking, creativity, and intellectual curiosity. Wesleyan is recognized for its strong arts programs, research opportunities, and global engagement initiatives.
Location: Williamstown, MA
Acceptance Rate: 8%
Avg. GPA: 4.13
Middle 50% SAT: 1512
Middle 50% ACT: 34
Tuition Fee: $64,860
Williams offers a strong focus on undergraduate education and close faculty-student relationships. This school’s open curriculum guides students with certain requirements but with the freedom of having absolutely no required courses. Williams College is consistently ranked among the top liberal arts colleges in the United States.
Location: Olympia, WA
Acceptance Rate: 96%
Avg. GPA: 3.3
Middle 50% SAT: 1068
Middle 50% ACT: 23
Tuition Fee: $8,965 for in-state, $30,973 for out-of-state
Evergreen State is famous for its interdisciplinary approach to education, where students design their own academic journeys through integrated studies and independent projects. Evergreen emphasizes experiential learning, social justice, and environmental sustainability, with a commitment to hands-on, community-based education.
Location: Hartford, CT
Acceptance Rate: 36%
Avg. GPA: 3.88
Middle 50% SAT: 1380
Middle 50% ACT: 31
Tuition Fee: $67,420
Trinity College is dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment, promoting critical thinking, and preparing students for leadership roles in their chosen fields. Although this school does have some General Education requirements, it also has a “Plus” program that encourages students to focus on practical learning beyond the classroom.
Unlike traditional institutions, open-curriculum colleges allow students to design their own educational paths, choosing courses across disciplines without strict requirements. These schools aren’t traditional, and their students shouldn’t be either.
To show admissions committees that you are a unique, independent individual, demonstrate your ability to thrive in a self-directed learning environment. Highlight any experiences where you've pursued independent projects, research, or creative endeavors outside of school requirements.
Use your application essays to explain why an open curriculum appeals to you and how it aligns with your educational goals. Discuss specific academic interests, potential interdisciplinary studies, and how you plan to take advantage of the freedom an open curriculum offers.
Participate in extracurriculars that demonstrate leadership, teamwork, and a commitment to your interests. Show how these activities have shaped your personal growth and readiness for college.
Remembering these tips can really make your application stand out and improve your chances of gaining admission to a college with an open curriculum.
Still feeling overwhelmed by the task of choosing from hundreds of schools? Check out our quiz to help you find the best college for you!
Hopefully, this article has opened your eyes to colleges with an open curriculum. In case you need extra information, take a look at our answers to these frequently asked questions.
An open curriculum is when students are given either partial or complete leeway to select their own courses and program length. Keep in mind that open curricula still have their restrictions and mandatory requirements for students to adhere to.
The biggest difference is that an open curriculum allows students a high degree of flexibility in selecting the courses they want to take. Even though sometimes there are still specific required courses that all students must complete, students have the freedom to choose from a wide range of courses across different disciplines.
Meanwhile, a core curriculum consists of a set of required courses that all students are expected to take, regardless of their major or area of interest. These courses are designed to provide a well-rounded education and ensure students gain a breadth of knowledge in various subjects.
Essentially, an open curriculum has less strict requirements and more freedom. Keep in mind that each approach has its own advantages and challenges. Choosing between an open and core curriculum often depends on your own preferences as well as the institution's educational philosophy, environment, and resources
Yes, NYU has a core curriculum with courses in expository writing, contemporary culture, science inquiry, and foreign language studies.
Like NYU, Cornell University also has a core curriculum. However, Cornell’s curriculum has a higher degree of flexibility when selecting courses compared to the average college with a core curriculum.
An open curriculum offers several key advantages, starting with the opportunity for a more tailored education. By affording greater freedom in course selection, this approach personalizes your learning journey, resulting in a more engaging and meaningful educational experience.
Taking charge of course selection cultivates a sense of responsibility and self-awareness, nurturing essential skills like critical thinking, time management, and self-directed learning. This empowerment to shape your academic path enhances these vital aptitudes.
Moreover, the open curriculum encourages the exploration of various interests and passions. It enables immersion in diverse fields of study simultaneously, not only enabling deep dives into intriguing subjects but also fostering a genuine passion for learning.
The freedom to shape one's academic journey based on personal interests, passions, and goals is a golden ticket to a truly transformative and exciting educational experience. The benefits of an open curriculum extend beyond the classroom, preparing students for the complexities of a rapidly changing world.
Be careful though. Although open curriculums sound like a lot of fun, they require independence, introspect, and responsibility for your education and career. Additionally, open curriculums are still rigorous and demand much dedication, persistence, and aptitude. Best to take them as seriously as any other curriculum.
But as long as you are willing to face any challenges ahead of you, you can feel free to explore however you think is best for you! Because, remember, weighing the options and considering the advantages of attending a college with open curriculum is unspeakably essential.
