Principia College

Situated on limestone bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River in the historic village of Elsah, Illinois, Principia College occupies a 2,600-acre campus approximately 45 minutes north of St. Louis. Founded in 1910 as a college for Christian Scientists, Principia maintains its religious affiliation while operating as a private liberal arts institution. The campus features distinctive Mid-Century Modern architecture, including several buildings designed by Bernard Maybeck, and has been designated a National Historic Landmark. The college emphasizes a traditional liberal arts curriculum with particular strengths in global studies, sustainability, and mass communication, while requiring students to participate in experiential learning through study abroad or internship programs. Principia provides housing for all students in residence halls and campus houses, maintaining a residential community where all students live on campus.