Find a Job You Really Want In
Choosing the right college is a pivotal decision for students, influencing not only their personal growth but also their professional trajectories. As the job market continues to evolve in 2026, the investment in higher education remains significant, with increasing expectations for strong job placement outcomes.
Not all colleges offer the same level of support and success in transitioning students into the workforce. Particularly, small colleges—with their intimate class sizes and robust community engagement—have proven to be exceptionally effective in preparing graduates for successful careers.
To highlight the best options for aspiring professionals, we at Zippia have curated a list of the top small colleges for job placement in 2026.
Best Small Colleges for Jobs in 2026
- South Dakota – Augustana University
- Ohio – Ohio Northern University
- Massachusetts – Stonehill College
- Pennsylvania – Lebanon Valley College
- Illinois – Illinois Wesleyan University
- Rhode Island – Providence College
- New Hampshire – Saint Anselm College
- Minnesota – Saint John’s University
- New York – Siena College
- Iowa – University of Dubuque
These ten small colleges stand out for their impressive job placement rates. If your state isn’t listed among the top ten, continue reading to discover the best small college for employment in your area.
How We Determined This
To compile this list, we utilized data from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) to identify colleges with enrollment levels between 1,000 and 5,000 students in each state.
We then cross-referenced these institutions with data from College Scorecard, focusing on the highest job placement ratings based on employment levels ten years post-graduation.
The school with the highest job placement rate in each state was selected, with placement percentages rounded to the nearest decimal for clarity.
1. South Dakota – Augustana University
Institution: Augustana University
City: Sioux Falls
Placement Rate: 96.1%
Augustana University ranks as the top small college for job placement in the nation, with an impressive 96.1% of alumni successfully entering the workforce, thanks to the strong support and education provided by this institution.
2. Ohio – Ohio Northern University
Institution: Ohio Northern University
City: Ada
Placement Rate: 95.9%
Ohio Northern University is renowned for its commitment to student success, boasting a job placement rate of 95.9%, making it an excellent choice for students seeking a private, religiously affiliated education.
3. Massachusetts – Stonehill College
Institution: Stonehill College
City: Easton
Placement Rate: 95.8%
Stonehill College leads Massachusetts with a job placement rate of 95.8%. The institution offers a close-knit community environment with a favorable student-to-faculty ratio of 12:1, providing over 100 programs in the liberal arts, sciences, and business.
4. Pennsylvania – Lebanon Valley College
Institution: Lebanon Valley College
City: Annville
Placement Rate: 95.6%
Lebanon Valley College in Pennsylvania boasts a remarkable job placement rate of 95.6%, demonstrating its effectiveness in equipping students with the skills necessary to thrive in the job market.
5. Illinois – Illinois Wesleyan University
Institution: Illinois Wesleyan University
City: Bloomington
Placement Rate: 95.5%
Illinois Wesleyan University is recognized for its liberal arts education and a job placement rate of 95.5%, ensuring graduates are well-prepared for the workforce.
6. Rhode Island – Providence College
Institution: Providence College
City: Providence
Placement Rate: 95.3%
Providence College offers a unique blend of a small college atmosphere with ample opportunities for social engagement, achieving a job placement rate of 95.3%.
7. New Hampshire – Saint Anselm College
Institution: Saint Anselm College
City: Manchester
Placement Rate: 95.2%
Saint Anselm College stands out in New Hampshire with a job placement rate of 95.2%, reflecting its commitment to student success post-graduation.
8. Minnesota – Saint John’s University
Institution: Saint John’s University
City: Collegeville
Placement Rate: 95.2%
With a rich 150-year history, Saint John’s University has a proven track record of preparing students for successful careers, with 95.2% of graduates finding employment after graduation.
9. New York – Siena College
Institution: Siena College
City: Loudonville
Placement Rate: 95.1%
Siena College leads New York with a job placement rate of 95.1%. Students enjoy diverse academic offerings, including 36 majors and over 80 minors, preparing them for a welcoming job market.
10. Iowa – University of Dubuque
Institution: University of Dubuque
City: Dubuque
Placement Rate: 94.7%
The University of Dubuque provides a supportive environment that results in a 94.7% job placement rate, helping students achieve their career aspirations.
Where You Go to School Matters
Data indicates that some colleges excel in equipping their students for future success. The ten institutions listed above are standout small colleges with the highest job placement rates.
However, selecting the right college involves more than just placement statistics. Factors such as geographic location, extracurricular opportunities, and specific fields of study all play critical roles in finding the best fit for your educational journey. Below is a comprehensive list of the best small college in each state, helping you refine your options.
The Best Small College for Getting a Job in Each State
| State | Institution | Placement Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Birmingham-Southern College | 90.9% |
| Alaska | University of Alaska Southeast | 81.3% |
| Arizona | Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott | 92.1% |
| Arkansas | Hendrix College | 89.3% |
| California | Samuel Merritt University | 94.5% |
| Colorado | Colorado College | 89.6% |
| Connecticut | University of Connecticut-Stamford | 93.0% |
| Delaware | Wesley College | 92.9% |
| Florida | University of Florida-Online | 91.2% |
| Georgia | Spelman College | 92.7% |
| Hawaii | Hawaii Pacific University | 89.1% |
| Idaho | The College of Idaho | 90.0% |
| Illinois | Illinois Wesleyan University | 95.5% |
| Indiana | Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology | 94.7% |
| Iowa | University of Dubuque | 94.7% |
| Kansas | Baker University | 93.1% |
| Kentucky | Union College | 94.2% |
| Louisiana | Xavier University of Louisiana | 93.5% |
| Maine | Maine Maritime Academy | 93.2% |
| Maryland | Stevenson University | 93.9% |
| Massachusetts | Stonehill College | 95.8% |
| Michigan | Kettering University | 94.1% |
| Minnesota | Saint John’s University | 95.2% |
| Mississippi | Delta State University | 89.9% |
| Missouri | Culver-Stockton College | 94.4% |
| Montana | Carroll College | 91.6% |
| Nebraska | Midland University | 94.3% |
| Nevada | Western Nevada College | 74.1% |
| New Hampshire | Saint Anselm College | 95.2% |
| New Jersey | Centenary University | 90.0% |
| New Mexico | Luna Community College | 79.2% |
| New York | Siena College | 95.1% |
| North Carolina | Johnson C Smith University | 93.1% |
| North Dakota | University of Mary | 93.8% |
| Ohio | Ohio Northern University | 95.9% |
| Oklahoma | Oklahoma Wesleyan University | 88.9% |
| Oregon | Linfield College-McMinnville Campus | 92.6% |
| Pennsylvania | Lebanon Valley College | 95.6% |
| Rhode Island | Providence College | 95.3% |
| South Carolina | Citadel Military College of South Carolina | 94.3% |
| South Dakota | Augustana University | 96.1% |
| Tennessee | Rhodes College | 92.8% |
| Texas | Trinity University | 93.5% |
| Utah | Davis Technical College | 78.0% |
| Vermont | Castleton University | 94.7% |
| Virginia | University of Richmond | 93.1% |
| Washington | Pacific Lutheran University | 91.3% |
| West Virginia | West Virginia Wesleyan College | 91.3% |
| Wisconsin | Marian University | 94.6% |
| Wyoming | Northwest College | 85.1% |
Author
Kathy is the head of content at Zippia with a knack for engaging audiences. Prior to joining Zippia, Kathy worked at Gateway Blend growing audiences across diverse brands. She graduated from Troy University with a degree in Social Science Education.
