About Elizabethtown College
Welcome to Etown
Elizabethtown College combines the most sought-after professional programs, guaranteed high-impact experiences like research, internships, and cross-cultural study, with a 125 year tradition of learning to think critically, analyze deeply, and communicate effectively. Etown offers an essential education that makes 98% of our graduates agree they have what it takes to be successful.
Etown's motto is Educate for Service, which is grounded in the belief that learning is most noble when used to benefit others, regardless of career path. We prepare our students to lead purposeful and meaningful lives while fostering independent thought, personal integrity, and social responsibility—foundations for a lifetime of learning. We uphold the values of peace, non-violence, human dignity, and social justice. Our transformative educational experience cultivates personal strengths and inspires a passion for lifelong learning and purposeful work.
Mission Statement
Elizabethtown College provides a transformative educational experience that cultivates personal strengths and develops a passion for lifelong learning and purposeful work.
Value in the Numbers
At Etown, we understand that quality and value need to go hand in hand. Our educational philosophy fosters an understanding of education for a life of purpose based on a model of student development that integrates career readiness and a commitment to civic engagement. As a result, graduates are prepared to make the world a better place and be successful while doing so. Etown delivers a high-quality, high-value education that provides the kind of earning power that ranks us among the country’s highest value-added institutions with mid-career earnings 27% more than predicted.
of Etown graduates are employed or pursuing continuing education within one year of graduation
of students receive financial aid
of graduates had at least one faculty member who made them excited about learning
of graduates report their professors cared about them as a person
Active Campus and Interactive Education
Etown's student-centered culture is at the heart of everything we do. Our students have every opportunity to get involved.
Athletics:
- 24 NCAA DIII Athletic Teams
- 17 Intramural Sports
- 27% of full-time, undergraduate, traditional, degree-seeking students are Varsity Athletes.
- 479 Students are Varsity Athletes
Campus Life:
- 76 Clubs & Organizations
- 204 Acres of Campus
- 59% of traditional students Worked on Campus
- 80,000+ square foot Sports, Fitness & Well-Being Center
- 134,834 Volumes in High Library
Academics:
- 109 Full-Time Faculty Members
- 84% of full-time faculty hold a doctorate or terminal degree in their field
- 24,425 Living Alumni
- 14 FTE Student/Faculty ratio
- 19 Average Class Size
Discover Lancaster County
Just a short walk from downtown, Elizabethtown College sits at the heart of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania—an area known for its charm, steady job growth, and local culture. Explore a variety of shops, cafes, and green spaces, all within easy reach of campus. And, if the breeze is right, you might even catch the scent of chocolate from the nearby Mars factory.
Around the RegionA Sustainable Campus
At Elizabethtown College, sustainability is more than just a goal, it’s a dynamic and evolving part of our campus culture. Every major decision is made with our environmental impact in mind, and sustainability efforts are visible across all areas of campus life. As our community continues to grow, so does our commitment to building a more sustainable future.
We prioritize energy efficiency and water conservation, and we've implemented AI-driven solutions to reduce food waste. From our campus bike-share program to student- and faculty-led initiatives, meaningful change is happening through projects of all sizes. We also host student-led conservation challenges to promote energy and water savings. Across campus, we're continuously evaluating our operations, identifying opportunities, and making thoughtful improvements.
College History
Elizabethtown College was chartered on September 23, 1899 by members of the Church of the Brethren who were interested in establishing an institution of higher education for their denomination in eastern Pennsylvania. Etown has a rich history and has amassed numerous collegiate traditions in the years since our founding.
The College has changed a lot since it was founded, but still holds the same values of peace, non-violence, human dignity and social justice, and the belief that learning is most noble when used to benefit others.
