
Meredith College is a private college in Raleigh, North Carolina, with a history rooted in women's education. Chartered in 1891, it opened in 1899 as Baptist Female University. It later became Baptist University for Women before adopting the Meredith College name in 1909, honoring Baptist leader Thomas Meredith.
The college moved to its present Raleigh campus in 1926. Its undergraduate education remains centered on women, while its graduate programs serve a broader student population. That distinction matters when comparing Meredith with other colleges: its undergraduate identity and its graduate admissions policies are not the same thing.
Meredith College offers undergraduate study across the liberal arts, sciences, business, education, and applied fields, along with selected graduate and professional programs. Students can explore subjects such as biology, psychology, computer science, communication, business, social work, public health, music, and design.
Academic options also include preparation for fields with additional professional requirements, notably teaching and nutrition-related careers. A prospective student considering one of these paths should check the current catalog for the exact degree, required courses, clinical or fieldwork components, and any separate admission requirements. Completing a major and qualifying for a professional license are distinct steps.
Meredith's reported student-to-faculty ratio is 11 to 1. That institution-wide measure describes the scale of instruction; it does not mean every class has 11 students or that every course is taught by a full-time professor.
Meredith College's main campus is in Raleigh, North Carolina. Its location places students in the state capital and the wider Research Triangle region, where government agencies, schools, health organizations, and employers may be relevant to internships or part-time work.
The campus is a distinct college setting within a metropolitan area rather than a downtown campus. Commuters should account for traffic, parking rules, and the time needed to reach classes and activities. Raleigh-Durham International Airport is the principal nearby airport for students traveling longer distances.
Meredith describes its educational purpose in terms of women's education, liberal learning, professional preparation, integrity, and leadership. Its stated priorities connect academic study with the ability to contribute to communities and workplaces; they are institutional aims, not guaranteed outcomes for every student.
The college was founded in a Baptist context. Applicants for whom religious affiliation or campus practices are important should distinguish that history from the requirements of a particular current course, activity, or degree program.
Name of the institution
Meredith CollegeLevel of institution
Four or more yearsControl of institution
PrivateSetting type
City: LargeInstitutional Category
Degree - granting, primarily baccalaureate or aboveInstitution size category
1,000 - 4,999School type
Four-year collegeMain student body
Undergraduate: women only, graduate: coedCalendar system
SemestersFoundation year
1889Meredith College is institutionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Accreditation confirms that the school meets quality standards and is required for students to receive federal financial aid.
Bachelor's degree
Postbaccalaureate certificate
Master's degreeData last updated on November 5, 2026
Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026
Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.