You may not have heard of Averett University (pronounced “ay-ver-ett”), but if you are a B student interested in nursing, aviation or equestrian studies, it’s a great place for you.
A few things make Averett unique. This small school in rural Virginia has fewer than a thousand undergraduate students, so class sizes are small – average class size is just 15 students. Professors take a strong interest in their students because they can. Averett offers an interesting array of academic degree options, including early childhood education, athletic training, criminal justice, and sport management, among many others. Business and education are the most popular majors.
College President Tiffany Franks and her husband invite all freshman to dinner at their home during their first semester, in small groups, so they have an opportunity to share what they are seeking in their college experience. Franks has led Averett for 8 years (as of 2015) and has prioritized student success and community engagement. The Center for Community Engagement and Career Competitiveness (CCECC), started under her leadership, helps students find internships and community service opportunities.
Averett’s Division III sports program is led by athletic director Meg Stevens, who manages the school’s 14 varsity teams with a “3-2-1” philosophy: athletes must maintain a 3.0 in their classes, strive for at least top 2 in the conference in their sport, and most importantly, contribute to the athletic department’s ONE TEAM approach. All athletes support all other teams, as does the student body as a whole, making Averett an amazing place to be a Division III student-athlete.
While a small, rural school is not right for everyone, Averett has a warm, welcoming environment that will nurture students looking for a college that emphasizes community. Average GPA for incoming freshman is 3.2; average SAT scores are 960 (CR+M; no writing) and average ACT is 19. ALL incoming students receive a merit scholarship, based on their GPA and test scores. Total cost of attendance, including tuition, room and board and books, is approximately $34,000.
Evelyn visited Averett in November, 2015. You can see her photo album here.