What is a baccalaureate college?

b_r_um
Tue, 26 May 2009 10:55:17 +0000

Why is Harvey Mudd classified as an LAC, not a BA college?

Because they award less than 50% of their degrees in engineering, and the rest in liberal arts (sciences).



Baccalaureate colleges are a type of Liberal Arts colleges, But offering lesser number of degrees compared to LAC.

It’s the other way round. A liberal arts college focuses on liberal arts, e.g. sciences, literature, history, sociology, etc. They might offer a few professional degrees (most frequently engineering) as well, but typically the professional majors are well integrated into the liberal arts framework as well. For example, an engineering major at Swarthmore (a liberal arts college) requires only 20 courses in sciences and engineering, leaving 12 courses to be taken in humanities and social sciences. An engineering major at a more specialized school typically involves more sciences and less humanities and social sciences.

A baccelaureate college on the other hand refers to any undergraduate college, some of which might focus on subjects other than liberal arts (e.g. engineering, business, nursing, athletic training, etc). For US News purposes, a liberal arts college awards at least 50% of its degrees in liberal arts and a baccelaureate college less than 50%.