About Principia College

Founded in 1912, Principia College. is a college. Located in Illinois, which is a city setting in Illinois, the campus itself is Rural. The campus is home to 479 full time undergraduate students, and 0 full time graduate students.

The Principia College Academic calendar runs on a Semester basis. In the school year the student to faculty ratio was 7:1. There are 60 full time instructional teachers. Degrees awarded at Principia College include: Bachelor's Degree, Masters Degree, Post-master's certificate, Doctor's degree.

Quick Facts

Acceptance Rate90%
Application Deadline
Application Fee0
SAT Range970-1240
ACT Range22-28

Admissions at PC are considered Less Selective, with ,3% of all applicants being admitted.

In the school year, of the students who applied to the school, only 69 of those who were admitted eventually ended up enrolling.

69% of incoming freshmen are in the top half of their high school class. 39% were in the top quarter, and 17% were in the top tenth. You can apply online.

STUDENT LIFE

We asked, and students answered these important questions about student life at Principia College.

0%
“We”re apathetic”
0%
“We know about current events and vote”
100%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
0%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
0%
“We save it for the classroom”
0%
“Sometimes, but not often”
50%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
50%
“All the time, including weekends”
0%
“I”m always terrified”
0%
“I only go out in groups”
0%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
100%
“I feel extremely safe”
0%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
50%
“We bought the gear”
50%
“We live for the big game”
0%
“It”s not really our thing”
0%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
0%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
100%
“We”re a very artistic group”
0%
“Haven”t met them”
0%
“Available in class”
0%
“They keep regular office hours”
100%
“They”re always available”
100%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
0%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
0%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
0%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
50%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
50%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
0%
“We only party on weekends”
0%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
0%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
50%
“There might be people who do”
50%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
0%
“There”s a huge drug scene”
0%
“We”re apathetic”
0%
“We know about current events and vote”
100%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
0%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
0%
“We save it for the classroom”
0%
“Sometimes, but not often”
50%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
50%
“All the time, including weekends”
0%
“I”m always terrified”
0%
“I only go out in groups”
0%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
100%
“I feel extremely safe”
0%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
50%
“We bought the gear”
50%
“We live for the big game”
0%
“It”s not really our thing”
0%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
0%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
100%
“We”re a very artistic group”
0%
“Haven”t met them”
0%
“Available in class”
0%
“They keep regular office hours”
100%
“They”re always available”
100%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
0%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
0%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
0%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
50%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
50%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
0%
“We only party on weekends”
0%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
0%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
50%
“There might be people who do”
50%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
0%
“There”s a huge drug scene”

Principia College REVIEWS

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  • How would you rate on-campus housing?

    16 Students rated on-campus housing 4.6 stars. 56 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate off-campus housing?

    8 Students rated off-campus housing 2.7 stars. 0 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate campus food?

    17 Students rated campus food 3 stars. 6 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate campus facilities?

    16 Students rated campus facilities 4.3 stars. 50 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate class size?

    16 Students rated class size 4.7 stars. 69 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate school activities?

    16 Students rated school activities 3.7 stars. 19 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate local services?

    17 Students rated local services 2.6 stars. 0 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate academics?

    16 Students rated academics 4.3 stars. 44 % gave the school a 5.0.

What's your overall opinion of Principia College?

2 Students rated Principia College

TreVaughn - 10/14/2018

Transferring from Keiser University where I was on a half-ride athletic scholarship to here was one of the best decisions of my life. The community wants to see you do good no matter what and will put you in a position to succeed in the classroom and athletics. There’s a sense of welcoming when I came on my visit and despite my basketball background everyone wanted me to come here just to experience what a great community it is and this school has changed my life for the better. I’m proud to be a Principia Panther!

Carrie - 07/31/2017

To be honest, I have very mixed feelings about Principia College. The campus is beautiful, unique and peaceful. The location is interesting, it can feel isolated and remote at times, but it's still peaceful and easy to focus on schoolwork. I would recommend having a car to travel off campus or at least befriending someone with a car. Everyone there is very open and friendly, but can be clique-ish because it's such a small school. I owe a lot to this school with providing me with amazing and affordable educational opportunities such as traveling abroad. The classroom structure is awesome and close-nit; you really get to know your professors. Somethings that I truly struggled with was the overall conservative vibe on campus. When I attended, openly gay students could not attend. That's changed now, but the administrative culture overall has a long way to go in terms of embracing new ideas. I had a really hard time with the social aspect of college and looking back, I may have felt more independent at a bigger school. I wasted a lot of time with the wrong people and struggled to obey the code of conduct. A lot of people say they loved their Principia experience, but I feel as though those were some of the most challenging years. I was apprehensive to have an open discussion with someone because the risk of discipline was so great. I felt no support from administration and felt that they were only interested kicking people out and making you feel like a flawed person who wasn't worthy of the school. I've attended CS camps and Sunday school my whole life understand CS. I guess I ultimately overestimated my resilience to social pressures. Anyway, I'm grateful for my academic experience, but socially (with the exception of meeting my best friend), it was a nightmare.

Principia College FAQS

  1. What is the Acceptance Rate at Principia College?

    The fall 2020 acceptance rate for Principia College is 90%. That means, out of _____ applications received in 2020 , _____ students were offered admission. The number of males who applied was _____ vs the number of females which was _____.

  2. What should every freshman at your school know before they start?

    Go someplace where you can grow. That has a different meaning for everyone. Maybe you think you're only interested in one thing--go somewhere where you can try out different classes should your tastes change. Maybe you are completely satisfied with your high school friends. Go somewhere where you can meet different people as your personality shifts or your interests expand. If you're scared of something--a place too big, too small, too far from home, too close--don't completely shut out your options based on that fear. Realize that college is meant to be an education, but it is also the fence between structured life through school and the completely unplanned future. It is a time to explore and hopefully change. Sure, college should be comfortable. Visit your choices and envision walking those paths, sitting in those dorms, learning from those professors. But, make sure you don't feel so comfortable you will never try new activities, branch out to different people, or have the courage to study something foreign to you. Make college a personal and strong choice, but just know some anxiety just means you have the opportunity to grow.

    Read all  15 answers
  3. Describe how your school looks to someone who's never seen it.

    This school for Christian Scientists is a very friendly atmoshpere with numerous opportunities for its size.

    Read all  5 answers
  4. Describe the students at your school.

    Most students are friendly, willing to help others, goal-oriented, and involved in extra-curriculars.

    Read all  4 answers
  5. What do you consider the worst thing about your school? Why?

    Because it is small, sometimes I have felt static in my social life. It is tempting to believe I have met everyone alreay. But, usually, when I start to feel that way I end up doing something where I meet a bunch of new people or get to know people I thought I knew better. You just have to be pretty proactive about branching out and digging deeper to find out about people. Also, we have decent social events, but you've got to take responsibility for your own fun too.

    Read all  4 answers
  6. Here's your chance: Say anything about your college!

    Principia College is the only college in the world where the faculty, staff, and students are required to be Christian Scientists. If you are serious about Christian Science , or even if you are just interested in learning more about it, this is a good college for you. The college community is small, and pretty curtious and friendly up front, which easily helps new students to make friends.

    Read all  3 answers
  7. What kind of person should attend this school?

    Being a Christian Scientists is vital when it comes to Principia College's admission. This is considering that they only allow people who are firm believers and followers of Christian Science. The majority of people who attend the college are quite outgoing and energetic. People are always looking to make new friends and meet as many people as possible. Therefore , having these characterisitcs would be important.

    Read all  3 answers
  8. What kind of person should not attend this school?

    It is a school for Christian Scientists, if you are really against Christian Science or never want to be given metaphysical advice you shouldn't come here. However, if you are just uninterested no one will make you be religious. Also, no drinking, sex, drugs, or homosexuality is allowed. All of those things are still done on campus, but it is pretty private. If any of those things are severely important to your life, Principia probably isn't for you.

    Read all  3 answers
  9. Describe your favorite campus traditions.

    People who attend my school are known to be associated with the religion of Christian Science which was founded by Mary Baker Eddy. Principia College only allows followers of this religion to attend. Prin is known to have an exceptional acedemic system. The greatest thing about this college, is the tight-knit community. Almost everyone knows each other and this creates many good friendships because you have the opportunity to actually get to know people instead of just having acquaintances.

    Read all  2 answers
  10. What's unique about your campus?

    The best thing about Principia is the way each student is loved and cared for. It is a much smaller community than almost every other school, so professors, staff, and students all take care of each other and push each other to grow. There is a strong sense of community here and we hold each other accountable and always look for the highest standard. I love the freedom from alcohol here. No one drinks, so we spend time doing creative, fun social activities.

    Read all  2 answers
  11. What's the most frustrating thing about your school?

    There are so many things going on at the same time that it is hard to do all of them at once and keep up with all the work. Classes are demanding but duable.

    Read all  2 answers
  12. What do you brag about most when you tell your friends about your school?

    We have an amazing campus surrounded by trees and at the top of bluffs. A big an secluded campus that helps you think and focus on your school work as well as bond with your classmates. Classes are of an average of 14 students per class making it very easy to have a one-on-one with the teacher.

    Read all  1 answers

Student Body

Students

51%

female

49%

male

479

Total Undergrad Enrollment

N/A

Total Grad Students

77%

Out-Of-State

12%

In-State

11%

International

Organizations

N/A

Student Organizations

N/A

Fraternities

N/A

Sororities

Housing

Yes

On-Campus Housing

100%

of students living on campus

Student Diversity

% American Indian/Alaskan Native
N/A
% Asian/Pacific Islander
1%
% Black or African-American
2%
% Hispanic/Latino
4%
% White or Caucasian
73%

TUITION & AID

All students must apply yearly for financial aid. This process starts with the FAFSA. Though financial aid deadlines vary by school, it is a good idea to apply as soon as possible. For the upcoming school year, you can apply as early as October 1 for the FAFSA. Additional school aid will be dependent on the FAFSA results.

97% of students attending Principia College receive some sort of financial aid. N/A were awarded federal grants. While N/A received federal loans. Many students do also need to apply for additional private student loans.

Cost Out of State

$27,980

Tuition and fees(Out of state)

$1,000

Books and Supplies

$11,030

Room and Board

40,010

Total On Campus

Actual Cost By Income Level(W/Financial Aid)

Family Income
Cost
$0 - $30K
N/A
$30 - $48K
N/A
$48 - $75K
N/A
$75 - $110K
N/A
$110K & UP
N/A

We use student reviews and the most current publicly available data on our school pages. As such, we don't typically remove or edit college information. Sources for school statistics and data include the U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System. Portions of college data include copyrighted material, which is reproduced on this website by permission of Wintergreen Orchard House, a division of Carnegie Communications. © 2009-2016 by Wintergreen Orchard House. All rights reserved.

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