Possibly the most famous school for medicine, John Hopkins University, has fewer than 5000 students, making it an excellent small school for advancing medicine. Turning out 33 Nobel Laureates since its founding, it attracts students serious about changing the face of science. Another great school, Wellesley College, uses its small student-to-staff ratio to provide laboratory opportunities that both move medicine forward and make its graduates competitive candidates in later medical school applications.
With the intensity of climate change and environmental degradation, universities big and small are making the planet a priority. The Audubon Expedition Institute at Lesely University, the only college in the United States with backing from a major environmental organization, replaces traditional dormitories with outdoor living and backpacking expeditions while teaching students conservation strategies. With only about 1000 students, Lesely provides a small school experience to match its prestigious program.
Though the United States lags behind the rest of the developed world in its science education, many excellent small schools still exist to help turn the trend around. Notably, the California Institute of Technology, which offers degrees in areas like mathematics, physics, biology and chemical engineering, hosts more than 75 on-campus research centers and has winners of the National Medal of Science among its faculty. Another stand out, Pennsylvania's Juniata College, has triple the national average of students majoring in Chemistry, and over 70% of them are women.
Small colleges generally excel at liberal arts programs. Whether they advance feminist studies, musical theory or creative writing, small schools can turn out inspired graduates. Amherst College, constantly ranked as one of the top five schools in the country by US News and World Report, has faculty like poet Daniel Hall and jazz musician Bruce Diehl. Claremont McKenna, another small school, has produced notable alumni like comedian Robin Williams and filmmaker Paul Brickman.