College Fun Facts That Will Surprise You

When it comes to pursuing higher education, there is a lot of information to absorb before even enrolling in the college of your choice. There are so many different types of colleges out there, from online schools to traditional campuses. Once you decide the type of institution you want to attend, then you get to decide what you want to study. There are lots of decisions to make, so this list of college fun facts might help shed some light on things you may have not otherwise known.

Photo by Tim Gouw on Unsplash

College Fun Facts

This list consists of facts about college, ranging from describing where the idea of college even came from to how study-abroad programs work.

Take a look to see what you can learn!

1. Graduation Requirements:

Depending on what and where you study, degree lengths vary. For example, associate degrees typically take 2 years to complete, whereas bachelor degrees are generally 4 years. However, these requirements are changing (and becoming stricter). As such, some bachelor degrees are starting to take 5 years to complete.

2. More Females Attend College Than Males:

Did you know that more women attend college than men? Countries all over the world are realizing this fact. However, despite the educational gender gap, there is still a wage gap between men and women with men earning more than women.

3. 24/7 Food Options:

College campuses used to have strict hours for when they would serve food. However, as more restaurants enter campuses and delivery like UberEats exist, students can get food around the clock.

4. Study Abroad is Recommended:

As a college student, there are many opportunities and programs dedicated to studying abroad. Studying abroad means that you go complete college credits in a different country. Study-abroad programs offer enriching experiences without compromising one’s educational goals.

5. Campuses are Intentionally Impressive:

In the United States alone, there are over 5,000 institutions for higher education. That’s without counting online institutions like University of the People. As such, traditional colleges that are on-campus have to make their campuses impressive to be desirable. That’s why they have amenities like swimming pools, state-of-the-art gyms, theaters, and more.

6. Dorm Rooms are Lacking:

Despite impressive college campuses, dorm rooms are still stuck in the past. While some universities have single rooms for those who live on campuses, many still rely on shared amenities like bathrooms and showers within suites or for the whole floor.

7. The “College Experience” is Real:

There’s more to attending college than just receiving the degree. As such, colleges play towards the “college experience” as a marketing tactic, but it also is made real by the opportunities. For example, colleges have Greek rows (fraternities and sororities), sports teams, clubs, and more that make going to college a memorable experience.

8. Schools are Becoming More Sustainable:

As climate change continues to pose a threat to the world, college campuses are taking an active stance in their positioning. Many colleges value “going green” and have initiatives like refillable water stations, recycling programs, and even competitions for which dorms can use the least electricity.

9. Colleges Show Off Students’ Achievements:

One of the major reasons why people earn their higher education is for better job opportunities. It’s a fact that people who receive bachelor’s degrees earn more than their counterparts who have a high school diploma. Therefore, people can evaluate an institution’s value by seeing where their alumni get jobs. Colleges often share this information as a selling point.

10. Campus Security is a Priority:

Most schools have strict security measures in place. For on-campus schools, this means 24/7 security monitoring and emergency alarms located around the campus. For online schools, security may include anti-bullying rules and data protection.

11. Community College, Public, and Online = Best Value:

Private (for profit) institutions operate like businesses. As such, they maximize their bottom line by having very high tuition. On the other hand, there are countries where college is completely free with many public institutions to choose from. Also, online and community colleges offer students with high value at relatively low costs. For example, the University of the People offers tuition-free higher education degree programs.

12. College Can be Totally Online:

Many institutions have started to offer online classes. Additionally, some schools are 100% online, like the University of the People. This means that no matter where you are, you just need internet access to be able to attend class and take tests.

13. College Can Be Expensive:

There’s a wide range in how much colleges cost. For example, in 2018-2019, the average cost of public tuition was over $10,000 a year. For private institutions, private tuition cost over $35,000 per annum on average. That’s why scholarships and tuition-free options like UoPeople are so important.

14. Graduates Earn More Than Non-Graduates:

Over one’s lifetime, a person with a bachelor’s degree stands to earn $1 million more than someone with a high school diploma. Although higher education can be expensive and the costs continue to increase, the payoff is clear.

15. High Chance to Meet Your Life Partner:

Although it’s not likely to be your first reason for going to college, there is a high chance that you will fall in love in college! Being surrounded by your own cohort and sharing in life experiences means that you have a high chance of meeting someone in classes or social activities who may become your partner for life.

Photo by Robert Bye on Unsplash

More Facts About College

Here are some more specific and less-known fun college facts:

Origin of words:

• Alma mater: This is meant to describe the school you graduated from. In ancient Rome, the term was used to describe goddesses as the Latin words mean “nourishing or bountiful mother.”
• Alumnus: This refers to a person who is a graduate. The word is Latin and means “student.”

First college to graduate minorities:

• Women: The first woman with a bachelor’s degree was Catherine Brewer, who graduated from Georgia Female College in 1840.
• African-American: In 1823, Alexander Lucius Twilight was the first African-American on record to graduate from college in the United States. He graduated with a Bachelor’s degree from Middlebury College in Vermont.

Gender-Specific College Count:

• There are still about 60 all women’s colleges in the United States, but only about four all men’s colleges left.

College with the lowest acceptance rate:

• A college acceptance calculates the ratio of admitted students to those who have applied. In 2019, the college with the lowest acceptance rate was the Curtis Institute of Music with an acceptance rate of 4.2%. It was followed by Stanford University, which had a 4.8% acceptance rate.

The biggest academic library:

• In college, the library is a meeting place for study groups and a destination for those seeking research and knowledge. Some institutions with the biggest on-campus library include: Harvard University, University of Illinois, and Yale University.

Kermit the Frog was a Commencement Speaker:

• The commencement speech is considered an opportunity of honor for those invited to speak at a university’s graduation. In 1996, Southampton College had an unconventional commencement speaker as Kermit the Frog graced the stage and was awarded an honorary doctorate in Amphibious Letters for raising awareness about the environment.

Albert Einstein’s Brain is Still in College:

• McMaster University, located in Hamilton, Canada, owns 14 pieces of Einstein’s brain!

The Freshman 15 is a Myth:

• According to an Ohio State University study, freshman don’t actually gain 15 pounds during their first year in college. Instead, that number is closer to 2-3 pounds and is mostly correlated to alcohol consumption.

The Takeaway

There are many facts about college to explore and learn. This list is an abbreviated look at some of the most useful, interesting, and outlandish things to know. No matter who you are, pursuing higher education will offer an array of benefits.

What’s more is that you have a big choice to make in where you attend university and what you study. If you’re looking for an affordable, high-quality education that is tuition-free, learn more about joining the University of the People. Here’s a fun fact: There are over 20,000 students from over 200 countries and territories around the world who have already made this choice!