Students may choose from more than 50 areas of study in the natural sciences, social sciences, arts and humanities, and many combine disciplines or create their own majors. Classes are small–with 15 students on average. Faculty members are scholars, authors, and researchers, but above all teachers and advisors.

Beloit’s curriculum is flexible but grounded in rigorous analysis, hands-on research, and close attention to speech and writing.

The strength of the humanities at Beloit is complemented through programs like the Mackey Chair in Creative Writing, which brings to campus leading writers like Robert Stone, Billy Collins, and William Least Heat-Moon to work closely with students; the Center for Language Studies, Beloit’s summer intensive program in Arabic, Chinese, Japanese and Russian; and the Victor E. Ferrall, Jr. Endowed Artists-in-Residence program, which makes possible collaborations between students and distinguished artists and musicians.

Beloit is one of only 21 undergraduate colleges in the nation that belongs to all three of the Science 50, the International 50, and the Business 50, a prestigious consortia of colleges that produce unusually high numbers of leaders in the sciences, international affairs, and business.

A global perspective is one of Beloit’s defining characteristics. More than 10 percent of students come to Beloit from countries outside the United States. Students are prepared, encouraged, and expected to study abroad (about 50 percent do in places from Brazil to Tanzania), and an international context is assumed in fully one-third of all Beloit courses. Premier programs like the Weissberg residency allow students to interact directly with world leaders, such as Palestinian leader Hanan Ashrawi and retired U.S. General Anthony Zinni.

In every field of study, hands-on real-world learning opportunities complement work in the classroom. Programs include an entrepreneurship center, which allows students to develop and nurture start-up companies; two high-profile symposium days in which students present research to peers and faculty in a setting much like those at professional conferences; and through hundreds of field experience programs available each year.

Campus life supports the learning environment in a diverse but intimate residential community where 1,250 students from 49 states and 48 countries live, more than 100 student organizations thrive, and students can choose from 18 NCAA Division III athletic teams.

Beloit is also affordable–three-quarters of students receive financial aid.