Academics at Ripon College

Ripon College provides a four-year graduation guarantee to all students who remain in good academic standing, declare a major course of study by the end of sophomore year, and follow an approved course plan.

Students may choose from a total of 30 majors, 46 minors, or customize a course plan in pursuit of competitive placement in a variety of pre-professional degree programs, including but not limited to: pre-engineering, pre-law and pre-med. Any student regardless of major may elect to earn Ripon’s innovative Certificate in Ethical Leadership.

Each incoming student is assigned a faculty mentor based on their area of interest. Together, faculty mentors and staff in the Office of Career Development work with students throughout their time on campus to help set goals and construct a course plan to reach those goals.

The college’s academic year is comprised of two semesters, followed by an optional three-week Maymester. Often, Maymester participants spend a week on campus in intensive study and preparation, followed by two weeks of travel to locations around the U.S. and destinations overseas. Off-campus study is highly encouraged; nearly one-third of all Ripon College students elect to spend a semester off-campus on a focused area of study.