Judson College
Marion, AL302 Bibb St, Marion, AL 36756
334-683-5100
Judson College is a private liberal arts college for women in Marion, Alabama. Founded in 1838 as Judson Female Institute, the school is the fifth-oldest women's college in the United States and the oldest in the state of Alabama. It is also the oldest women's college in the Southern United States. The school's name was changed to Judson College in 1889.
The college is affiliated with the United Methodist Church. It is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award baccalaureate degrees.
Judson College was founded in 1838 by members of the Siloam Baptist Church in Marion, Alabama. The church's minister, Rev. Asa West, had been inspired by the example of Mount Holyoke College in Massachusetts and sought to create a similar institution in the South. The college was named for Ann Hasseltine Judson, a missionary to Burma who had been married to one of the founders of the Siloam Baptist Church.
The first class of students at Judson Female Institute consisted of just five women, who began their studies on January 3, 1839. The school's curriculum included courses in literature, languages, science, and mathematics. In 1841, the first two graduates of Judson Female Institute received their diplomas.
The Civil War and Reconstruction period was a difficult time for the college. Many of the students and faculty left to join the Confederate Army, and the campus was used as a hospital for wounded soldiers. After the war, the college struggled to reopen and finally did so in 1866.
The years following Reconstruction were prosperous for the college. New buildings were constructed, and the student body grew. In 1889, the name of the school was changed to Judson College to reflect its status as a four-year institution.
The early 20th century was a time of growth and change for Judson College. The college began to offer more courses in the liberal arts, and the first graduate degrees were awarded in 1916. In 1926, the college was accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
During the Great Depression, Judson College was one of the few colleges in the country to remain open. In the following years, the college continued to grow and prosper.
Today, Judson College is a small, private liberal arts college for women. The college offers a variety of undergraduate degrees, as well as a master's degree in education. The college is committed to providing a quality education to its students and preparing them for leadership roles in the world.
Quick Facts
Enrollment: 229
Acceptance Rate: 56.48%
Type: Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above
Main Website: https://www.judson.edu/
Financial Aid: https://www.judson.edu/admissions/financial-aid
Annual Costs
Total Cost In-State On-Campus: $34340
Total Cost Out-State On-Campus: $34340
Return on Investment Rating
The estimated cost for four years as an undergraduate at Judson College is $128580.98. This includes the average cost of attendance for four years plus the interest on the average loan over a ten year repayment minus the average of grants and scholarships per student.
We then contrast this figure with average early-career and mid-career average incomes of graduates of four year programs at Judson College. For graduates of Judson College, we saw an average early-career income of $41900.00 and mid-career income of $74200.00. We then ranked the school's value based on how many years of mid-career income it takes to repay the educational costs.