BusinessAugust 15, 2026
microcollege
MY-kroh-kol-ij
Definition
A very small, experimental postsecondary institution, often characterized by low enrollment, an emphasis on communal labor, self-governance, and integration with the surrounding local community.
Etymology
The word is a modern compound formed from the prefix 'micro-' (derived from the Greek 'mikros', meaning 'small') and the noun 'college' (from the Latin 'collegium', meaning 'society' or 'guild').
In the news
The article highlights microcolleges as an emerging, community-focused alternative for struggling liberal arts institutions to survive outside of the traditional, market-driven university model.
An Alternative Future for Struggling Colleges
Read the full article ↗Los Angeles Review of Books