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These five small colleges have strong Asian communities and standout programs.
We don’t usually expect to find prospering Asian communities at small colleges, but these hidden gem campuses have shown otherwise.
Number 5: Reed College
The private liberal arts school is located in Portland, Oregon and is known for its exhaustive academics and fun campus culture. 7.7% of Reed’s 1,385 students are Asian and the school has a strong Chinese Studies program. The Chinese House is an on-campus residence hall where students can engage with the culture and participate in exciting events every Sunday that include cooking demos, karaoke, and mahjong.
Number 4: Barnard College
This all-women’s college is based in New York City and Asian students make up around 16% of the 2,744 students enrolled. Barnard just recently launched an Asian Diaspora and Asian American Studies program that gives students the opportunity to study culture and identity. The school has direct access to Columbia University’s resources, so not only is Barnard an exceptional campus with a close-knit community, it is also right in reach of an Ivy League.
Number 3: Pomona College
They are nationally ranked at number 5 in Liberal Arts Colleges and have only 1,764 enrolled students. 17% of them are Asian. Pomona has a rigorous Asian and Asian American studies program and advanced Chinese and Japanese language courses. This California school is home to the Pacific Basin Institute which is a center dedicated to the study of cultural and political connections across countries that touch the Pacific Ocean.
Number 2: Harvey Mudd College
Based in Claremont, California, Harvey Mudd has just 913 total undergraduates enrolled in their 2025 Fall semester and 198, or 21% of them are Asian. The school is a great selection for STEM lovers as it is one of the most prestigious science and engineering schools in the United States. At Harvey Mudd, students are required to take Humanities, Social Sciences, and Arts courses giving future scientists a balance that connects technology with impact.
Number 1: Pacific Union College
Also located in California, PUC has around 1000 enrolled students and about 192, or 23% are Asian. This school offers huge opportunities in the medical field and their International Business program helps students understand the difference between East and West markets. Because Asians make up such a large portion of the campus, PUC also has an Asian American Pacific Islander Council which helps generate awareness and support for Asian and Pacific Islander students.
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