Northland College is located in Ashland, Wisconsin, USA, and was founded in 1892. It is the first private liberal arts college in the United States to fully integrate environmental and sustainability education into its liberal arts curriculum. The campus is adjacent to Lake Superior, the Apostle Islands, and over a million acres of national forest, earning it the nickname “the million-acre classroom.” This unique setting provides students with abundant field courses, outdoor research opportunities, and internships, with programs spanning environmental science, natural resources, sustainable community development, biology, business, and more. The college is renowned for its small class sizes and close faculty-student relationships, with a student-to-faculty ratio of approximately 10:1. Through interdisciplinary projects, the Environmental Research Center, and community service initiatives, the college fosters critical thinking and a sense of social responsibility among students, making it an ideal choice for those seeking green education and practical experience. However, due to ongoing financial and enrollment pressures, the college will close after the 2024–25 academic year.
#96 in Best Colleges for Environmental Science in America
#3 in Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Wisconsin
#112 in Best Liberal Arts Colleges in America
Best Colleges for Environmental Science in America 96 of 651
Best Liberal Arts Colleges in America 112 of 309
Best Colleges with No Application Fee in America 165 of 684







