The Women’s College Coalition commissioned Hardwick-Day, a consulting firm that does research related to higher education, to conduct a survey of alumnae from classes of 1970–1997. They compared the responses of women’s college alumnae with alumnae of public and private colleges and universities.

The survey focused on key factors that education researchers have identified as critical to both an effective undergraduate education and greater student satisfaction. Those factors include:

• Frequent, extensive formal and informal interaction between faculty and students
• A strong community and peer interactions both inside and outside the classroom
• A challenging, active classroom environment
• Participation in intensive learning experiences like international study, internships, faculty-directed research and independent study
• Involvement and leadership in extracurricular activities

Unlike many alumnae studies that focus on recent graduates, the Women’s College Coalition study assessed the long-term impact of the alumnae’s college experiences.

Other research supports the results of the study. For instance, data from the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) indicates that women’s colleges support high student-faculty interaction, create classroom conditions that encourage student collaboration and participation, and help women develop quantitative skills and leadership skills. Meredith has participated in NSSE for eight years. Our students have traditionally given us high ratings in the five benchmark areas that address effective educational practices – click here for more information about NSSE at Meredith.