Randolph-Macon College

What is the history of Randolph-Macon College?

Randolph-Macon College is a private college founded in 1830 in Boydton, Virginia. It moved to Ashland in 1868, a change that established the campus students attend today.

The college was founded by Methodists and named for John Randolph of Roanoke and Nathaniel Macon. It later became coeducational. Its Methodist history remains part of its institutional identity, although students do not need to share a religious affiliation to apply. Randolph-Macon College should not be confused with Randolph College in Lynchburg, which began as Randolph-Macon Woman's College and is a separate institution.

What are the faculties and departments at Randolph-Macon College?

Randolph-Macon is primarily an undergraduate liberal arts college. Its academic offerings span the humanities, natural sciences, social sciences, arts, business, education, and nursing, rather than a large system of separate undergraduate colleges.

Students can explore fields such as biology, chemistry, English, history, psychology, political science, business, computer science, and studio art. Nursing and teacher preparation have requirements beyond choosing a major, including courses or experiences tied to professional practice. The college also offers graduate study; applicants should check the requirements and accreditation of a particular graduate program rather than assuming undergraduate policies apply.

The student-to-faculty ratio is reported as 12 to 1. That ratio describes enrollment relative to instructional faculty; it does not mean every class has 12 students. Prospective students comparing majors should look at course availability, laboratory or clinical requirements, and how often required classes are offered.

What is the location of Randolph-Macon College?

Randolph-Macon College is in Ashland, Virginia, a town north of Richmond. The setting combines a residential college campus with access to the Richmond region.

Ashland has an Amtrak station near the college, which may be useful for students traveling without a car. Richmond International Airport is the nearest major airport. Transportation to clinical placements, internships, shopping, or off-campus jobs may require more planning than travel within the immediate downtown area. First-year students are permitted to register and park a car on campus, subject to the college's parking rules.

What is the mission and vision of Randolph-Macon College?

Randolph-Macon describes its educational purpose in terms of liberal arts learning, intellectual development, and preparation for lives of purpose and service. Its roots are in the Methodist tradition.

For students, that stated mission is most relevant to the breadth of coursework and opportunities to connect classroom learning with service or professional preparation. A mission statement expresses institutional goals; it is not, by itself, evidence that every student has the same experience or outcome.