St. Olaf ranks No. 3 in producing Peace Corps volunteers
The Peace Corps announced that St. Olaf College ranked No. 3 as a 2024 Top Volunteer Producing College for colleges and universities with fewer than 5,000 undergraduates. The ranking looks at the number of alumni who have served since the Peace Corps was established in 1961, and more than 480 Oles have served to date.
“St. Olaf students are uniquely positioned to serve in the Peace Corps, as our mission asks students to ‘explore meaningful vocation in an inclusive, globally engaged community,'” says Piper Center for Vocation and Career Assistant Director Zoe Davis. “Students who serve in the Peace Corps truly live this mission beyond their time at St. Olaf. Peace Corps volunteers serve across a variety of industries and learn to be nimble when navigating new experiences, which provides incredible preparation for the world of work.”
Over the last six decades, more than 240,000 volunteers from more than 3,000 colleges and universities have accepted the agency’s Bold Invitation to serve in 144 countries. Through service, the Peace Corps equips volunteers with adaptive leadership, intercultural competence, and problem-solving skills that are highly valued by employers across federal, state, and local governments; nonprofits; and the private sector.
“Today’s world requires problem solvers and people who understand that it is only through shared impact that we will change the trajectory of global issues. Curiosity and openness to others is cultivated in school, but must be nurtured throughout our lifetimes,” says Peace Corps Director Carol Spahn. “I am so grateful to these outstanding institutions for challenging and inspiring their students to not only be exceptional students but also to go on to be informed and intentional global citizens.”
Below is the 2024 ranking of the top, all-time volunteer-producing small colleges and universities category based on school enrollment:
2024 Top Small Colleges and Universities Historically Producing the Most Peace Corps Volunteers
Fewer than 5,000 Undergraduates Enrolled
1. Oberlin College and Conservatory – 509
2. Carleton College – 504
3. St. Olaf College – 483
4. Oregon Health & Science University – 444
5. Middlebury College – 416
6. Grinnell College – 370
7. Colorado College – 365
8. Macalester College – 362
9. Smith College – 360
10. Lewis & Clark College – 348