Thomas Aquinas is a four-year, Catholic liberal arts college in Santa Paula, California, offering a "Great Books" education. There are no prescribed textbooks; teaching is by the Socratic method and the curriculum is anchored on an examination of the Great Books of humanity. Campus life includes Catholic life, library, Commons dining hall, chapels and various extracurricular activities like music, sports and theater. The college's motto is Verum, Bonum, Pulchrum - The True, The Good, The Beautiful.
Johnson & Wales University has four campuses, in Providence, North Miami, Denver and Charlotte, all with a commitment to community service. In the latest edition of the Princeton Review's Colleges with a Conscience, the Providence campus was mentioned as one of "81 Great Schools with Outstanding Community Involvement" and it's also been commended by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching for its work in the community. JWU offers programs in business, technology, hospitality, and culinary arts, among others, fusing academic and experiential learning with career training and community engagement.
Green Mountain College in southern Vermont's lakes region is a four-year liberal arts college focusing on environmental sustainability. The school's motto is "Living The Environmental Liberal Arts." Founded in 1834 by the Troy Conference of the United Methodist Church, the college has historically emphasized strong teacher-student interaction, a tradition that remains. Students must complete the mandatory 37-credit Environmental Liberal Arts General Education Program, and they can choose from 22 majors and 27 minors, ranging from history and Asian studies to biopsychology and adventure recreation.
The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, located in King's Point, New York, is one of the five U.S. Service Academies. It welcomes students who are adventurous enough to take the challenge of an education at USMMA, which includes coursework in all things marine and maritime, from logistics and intermodal transportation to marine transportation and maritime operations and technology. There are 80 faculty members and a student-faculty ratio of 12:1. The campus is set on 82 acres, with extensive waterfront facilities and more than 100 vessels and small craft. Student activities range from regimental marching band and sailing squadron to 28 varsity sports.
Located on the border of Texas and Arkansas, Texas A&M University, Texarkana, is a member of the Texas A&M University System that has flexible course offerings and online programs to accommodate busy schedules. Tuition rates are among the lowest in Texas and Arkansas, and small classes allow important teacher-student and student-student interaction. About 70 percent attend part time, with an average age of 33. Oklahoma and Arkansas residents pay in-state tuition rates.