Through service, the Peace Corps equips alumni with adaptive leadership, intercultural competence, and problem-solving skills highly valued by employers across federal, state, and local governments, nonprofits, and the private sector.
The Peace Corps rankings list colleges and universities that have produced the highest all-time number of Peace Corps Volunteers since the agency was established in 1961. 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.
“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 are cultivated in school, but must be nurtured throughout our lifetimes,” said 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.”
Nicholas Schieferecke graduated from Cal Poly Humboldt in 2019 and is serving as an environment Volunteer in Guyana.
“Humboldt helped give me a wide range of tools I need to best serve within my community,” Schieferecke says. “Right now, my grade 6 students are preparing to take their common entrance exam, so I’m excited to work alongside my counterpart to help these kids reach this milestone in their lives.”
Below are the 2024 rankings of top, all-time Volunteer-producing colleges, universities, and graduate schools. Undergraduate schools are divided into large, medium, and small categories based on school enrollment.
2024 Top Medium Colleges and Universities Historically Producing the Most Peace Corps Volunteers Between 5,000 and 15,000 Undergraduates Enrolled
1. Western Washington University – 932
2. University of Notre Dame – 843
3. University of Vermont – 833
4. Yale University – 790
5. University of Montana – 760
6. California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt – 758
7. American University – 751
8. William & Mary – 662
9. University of New Hampshire – 633
10. Dartmouth College – 605
Longstanding partnerships with institutions of higher education across the United States have inspired many future students to apply for overseas service with the Peace Corps. Through the Peace Corps Prep program, the agency partners with colleges and universities to provide enrolled students with opportunities to build core competencies that give applicants a competitive edge for Peace Corps service. The Peace Corps also partners with graduate schools through the Paul D. Coverdell Fellows program to offer returned Peace Corps Volunteers opportunities to further their education while continuing their exemplary commitment to service in underserved areas.
This year’s rankings of top, all-time Volunteer-producing colleges, universities, and graduate schools include 11 schools with Peace Corps Prep programs and 11 schools with Paul D. Coverdell Fellowships, reflecting these institutions’ commitment to preparing individuals for positive impact and global citizenship. As a Peace Corps partner, Cal Poly Humboldt offers its students Peace Corps Prep.
“At the Peace Corps, we see international service as an opportunity to work with the leaders of today and tomorrow,” said Peace Corps Deputy Director David E. White Jr. “As they develop skills and pursue opportunities that will stem the tide of irregular migration, Peace Corps Volunteer service provides emerging changemakers with an opportunity to invest in local communities and work with partners from across the world to forge a brighter future for all.”
Peace Corps Volunteers serve in six programmatic sectors: education, health, environment, agriculture, youth development, and community economic development. These service opportunities allow them to apply their unique skills, and learn new ones, while supporting community-led development around the world. Additionally, the Peace Corps offers unique career advantages, providing Volunteers with global perspectives and skills highly valued in today’s interconnected society. The Peace Corps invites U.S. Americans from all backgrounds who embody the spirit of service and a commitment to cross-cultural understanding to apply for Peace Corps service. The next application deadline is May 1, 2024. Interested individuals are encouraged to apply online and take the first step toward a transformative experience contributing to world peace and friendship. Visit peacecorps.gov/bold to learn more about Peace Corps Volunteer service and how to connect with communities in over 60 countries to help build a better world.
About The Peace Corps
The Peace Corps is an international service network of Volunteers, community members, host country partners, and staff who are driven by the agency’s mission of world peace and friendship. At the invitation of governments around the world, Peace Corps Volunteers work alongside community members on locally prioritized projects in the areas of education, health, environment, agriculture, community economic development, and youth development. Through service, members of the Peace Corps network develop transferable skills and hone intercultural competencies that position them to be the next generation of global leaders. Since President John F. Kennedy established the Peace Corps in 1961, more than 240,000 Volunteers have served in 144 countries worldwide. For more information, visit peacecorps.gov and follow it on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.