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About Ursinus
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Our Mascot, the Bear

Just the Facts

The name “Ursinus” (pronounced er-sigh-nus) is a Latin version of “Bear.” Ursinus was founded in 1869 and named for a 16th century reformer, teacher and thinker. Zachariah Baer (1534-83) took a Latin version of his German name and became known as Zacharias Ursinus.

Our History

Zack, as he is called on campus, was a theologian and scholar at the University of Heidelberg. His egalitarian and unpretentious spirit still exists on campus today.  Learn more about the history of Ursinus College.

The Facts

  • Location: Collegeville, Pennsylvania
  • Campus: a 170-acre suburban campus located along the Perkiomen Creek, 25 miles from downtown Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 
  • Type: residential, private, liberal arts college
  • Student body: 1,500 students from 31 states, DC and Puerto Rico, as well as 22 countries
  • Demographics: 51% female, 49% male, 24% identify as people of color
  • Degrees awarded: Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science in a wide range of majors and minors
  • Popular majors: biology, business and economics, English, psychology, health sciences and international relations
  • Student/faculty ratio: 11 students for each faculty member
  • Financial Aid: 99% of students receive some sort of financial assistance.
  • Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education

Our Distinctive Features

Ursinus is consistently ranked in the top tier of National Liberal Arts Colleges and was one of five schools designated an “Up and Coming” college by U.S. News & World Report. Ursinus is ranked #82 on the prestigious national liberal arts category of the U.S. News & World Report.
Only 10 percent of colleges and universities in the U.S. host a chapter of the national honor society Phi Beta Kappa. Ursinus is one of them.
Ursinus is among 45 Colleges that Change Lives cited in a book on colleges that help students succeed (by Loren Pope, revised by Hilary Masell Oswald).
The Philip and Muriel Berman Museum of Art at Ursinus is one of only two campus museums in Pennsylvania accredited by the American Alliance of Museums.
Ursinus is one of 75 colleges designated to name Bonner Leaders, who set an example in service and leadership.
Ursinus is one of the 10 founding members of Project Pericles, and one of 29 Periclean colleges, which encourage community engagement.
Ursinus is one of 14 colleges in the nation designated a Peace Corps Preparatory center for students who want to prepare for international service.
Ursinus is one of 40 U.S. colleges selected for the rigor of their liberal arts programs whose students are eligible to compete for Watson Fellowships for post-graduate travel and study.