Find your perfect college degree
An important factor to consider when searching for a university or a college to attend is its student health and wellness programs and centers. While academics are important, physical and mental health should be a top priority! Positive mental health impacts students in a way that allows them to thrive in the oft-challenging college environment. Physical health is important for cognitive performance, prompt attendance, and active class participation.
In recent years, colleges and universities have done a fantastic job of encouraging students to take care of themselves and placing a high priority on student well-being. Most campuses are equipped with health centers, clinics, and wellness areas to ensure that students are healthy inside out. Developing health and wellness habits for a successful and fulfilling life is a core objective of these initiatives.
15 Colleges With the Best Student Health and Wellness Programs
Whitman College
For those who love sports and athletics, it’s a great idea to enroll at Whitman College. They take pride in the fact that over 70% of their student body has joined the athletic training. Whitman proactively encourages and urges their students to become physically active. In fact, the Welty Health Center’s website makes it simple for students to meet a certified dietician on staff.
The Whitman College community is dedicated to helping every member of the community pursue their lifetime pursuit of fitness and personal well-being. They emphasize that overcoming the rigors of college life while maintaining your well-being is a balancing act that students can achieve!
The college features programs for strengthening your mental and physical health with easily accessible amenities and resources. Workshops on yoga, dance, and mindfulness classes are some examples. You can also borrow games from the College Office.
Connecticut College
Connecticut College’s administration places such a high value on well-being that the school has decided to elect a director for student wellness. The director focuses mostly on initiatives that educate people about drugs and alcohol. They have created a peer education program as one of the main strategies to execute this and other wellness programs. Furthermore, the wellness director regularly engages with college faculty members to include mental and physical well-being initiatives in teaching activities.
The Warnshuis Health Center on campus is home to the Connecticut College’s student wellness programs, and they focus on drug and alcohol education. They make sure to launch education and outreaches in areas of health and wellness, alcohol use, and sexual assaults. They also have the Student Counseling Services offers which offer short-term therapy recommendations, mental health assessments, and crisis intervention. All of these services are free for students at Connecticut College.
Arizona State University
When it comes to health awareness and addiction treatment, Arizona State University has these covered. The Sun Devil community may attain a healthy lifestyle by utilizing the four fundamental components of Live Well at ASU: Live, Feel, Learn, and Engage. Each aspect helps you develop your best self physically, mentally, spiritually, and socially. Throughout each area, you will have access to knowledge, tools, and interaction opportunities that will benefit your academic performance, your well-being, and your potential for achievement.
A cooperative conversation called motivational interviewing is used as one of its wellness programs, and this is to help people become more motivated to improve. Another innovative health program at Arizona State University, ASU Denim Day, aims to raise awareness of sexual assault both on campus and throughout the nation.
The University of Maryland
The University of Maryland is famous for being an innovative university. But one thing you should know more about is that they are also an institution that prioritizes the health and happiness of its students. They offer nutritious but sumptuous meal plans provided at the dining facilities and the wellness hut, and they have a campus booth that serves as a secure location to ask questions and get help. All these efforts ensure its students are well in body, mind, and spirit.
One other wonderful resource that UMD provides for its students is the weekly farmer’s market that is held on campus. Students can have access to healthful, regional food that is grown by local producers. This event allows the entire school and community to live healthily.
Like most schools, issues such as drug addiction, STDs, stress, unintended pregnancies, mental disorders, sexual assault, and harassment affect students’ academic performance and life course. This is why they launched the CARE to Stop Violence along with the Health Promotion and Wellness Services units, which provide resources and support to the students affected in these areas.
Loyola Marymount University
The Loyola Marymount University wellness programs, including “Community of Care,” are hailed for their creative efforts to encourage full support to students trying to survive the challenging college life. As soon as members of the Community of Care become aware of concerns about a student, they provide advice on how to support them.
At Loyola Marymount University, the health and welfare of their students and campus community are very important. The Division of Student Affairs offers a comprehensive range of on-campus services and programs that are open 24/7. The Burns Recreation Center and Campus Recreation provide the Loyola Marymount University community with services, activities, and facilities. Their campus is also equipped with a fitness facility, sports courts, group exercise studios, and an outdoor swimming pool.
Westminster College
The Human Performance and Wellness program at Westminster College is one of its strongest features that makes it attractive to health enthusiast learners. This program allows students to earn credits toward their degree. A course in the program lets students explore mountains near the school so they can challenge their mind and body. The organization also sponsors additional wellness programs that don’t require credit.
By offering top-notch, comprehensive, and integrated medical, mental health, and health promotion services, Westminster College’s Wellness Center is dedicated to supporting each student’s personal development. By giving students the tools they need to make educated decisions about their general health and well-being, we hope to support their success both academically and personally. As part of their outreach and education programs, they encourage students to make wellness and healthy living a lifelong commitment.
University of Michigan
Putting your well-being first is at the forefront of the University of Michigan. After all, this includes your perception and assessment of your lives, including your performance in school. The University of Michigan is creating a culture of well-being where you may accept the idea that success in life extends beyond academics and professions to aid in guiding that path.
By taking a more comprehensive approach, you may learn more about well-being and make it applicable to your life in ways where they can support you. They provide several resources for students like Sexual Assault Services, Depression Center, and Planet Blue. They also have physical activities on campus where students can actively engage in.
Bowdoin College
In improving the health and well-being of the student community, the Bowdoin College Student Health Services offers high-quality primary care as well as educational outreach programs. They use an effective but holistic strategy, focusing on illness prevention, individual self-advocacy, and health promotion. Their ultimate goal is to promote well-being in all its forms for each member of the College community.
Despite its modest size, Bowdoin College offers a wide range of wellness programs. In fact, on weekdays, it presently offers at least four wellness programs that run continuously. These include Zumba fitness classes and yoga courses. They have local sources for their food, so students have the option to eat healthier. It is not just healthier for students to consume, but this local food source also fosters well-being. Students may be certain that the food they are consuming has a low carbon imprint because it has only traveled a short distance, which is excellent for encouraging a positive outlook.
The University of Iowa
While the University of Iowa is famous for offering advanced and avant-garde program studies, it also offers one of the best student health and wellness facilities in the nation. At least ten fitness centers on the University of Iowa campus offer a variety of fitness programs, nutritional advice, fitness training, outdoor leisure opportunities, and smoothies after the workout.
The fact that Iowa’s recreation offerings are wellness-focused also helps those outside of students. It may not be a surprise, but their liveWELL initiative for employees has won awards around the country. They target more facets of wellness than just gyms. They provide pupils with outdoor leisure lessons and field trips. To keep your mental and emotional well-being in peak condition, they also provide a comprehensive array of counseling choices.
Vanderbilt University
At Vanderbilt University, both outdoor enthusiasts and health-conscious eaters will feel right at home. Vanderbilt may turn your fantasy of receiving nutritionist advantages right at your school campus. The school has an office for one-on-one counseling as well as online tools that recommend meals in the dining halls to help you make selections. The Vanderbilt Health Plus program offers assistance to those who want to stop smoking, reduce excessive blood pressure, and maintain a healthy weight. For any sports enthusiast out there, they also include jaw-dropping outdoor and indoor recreation areas.
In keeping with the university’s basic ideals of community and cooperation, the holistic health and wellness of students, instructors, staff, and postdocs is given top importance. Well-being is a multifaceted, dynamic endeavor rather than a static state. These aspects encompass psychological, emotional, and physical well-being. In several of these dimensions, each division of the Office of Health and Wellness is significant.
Kent State University
The Seeds of Wellness Program at Kent State University is arguably the most avant-garde wellness initiative. This inspires everyone in the college community to create health programs that will assist students throughout the whole university system. The program funds each idea that it thinks could improve collegiate well-being with $1,000. Because of this, a number of the program’s accomplished recipients have gone on to launch projects focused on improving study skills, such as a self-care fair and relaxing station.
The goal of Kent State of Well-Being is to assist, encourage, and develop comprehensive opportunities, initiatives, and assets that empower people to attain a comprehensive sense of health and well-being. They encourage everyone in the community to devote their time, skills, and resources to building a culture that is secure, fair, and wholesome.
Rice University
Let the Rice University Wellness Services determine your level of fitness if you’re unsure about it. In addition to fitness courses in yoga, spinning, ZUMBA, and personal training at the fitness facility, Rice offers fitness testing so that you may choose an exercise program. All these physical fitness efforts won’t go to waste since they also have nutritionists on the campus to promote healthy eating. In addition to scheduling appointments for physicals and intestinal health, their health offices also handle sports injuries and sexual wellness.
You’ll be in good company if your goal is to become healthy and proactive. For those who love outdoor adventure outings, the school facilitates activities such as kayaking, beach camping, adventure caving, and trekking. And during weekends, you can enjoy a Night Climb at the Texas Rock Gym.
University of Oregon
On-campus students at the University of Oregon will definitely be happy with their student health and wellness efforts. Several of the University of Oregon’s wellness initiatives are channeled through Duck Nest, the college’s health facility. This location hosts programs like yoga, meditation, affordable good eating, aromatherapy, therapy dogs, wellness talks, and more. Additionally, Duck Nest is continually working to expand the community that may use its services. For example, it conducts student focus groups to learn how to better market its services to men, who are much less likely than women to use wellness resources.
When it comes to their Health Services Center, they have licensed physicians, psychologists, dentists, and nurse practitioners who can assist students. Their University Counseling Services’ licensed psychologists are available to help you on an individual basis or in a group context with other students experiencing comparable difficulties. The Student Recreation Center also offers an abundance of options for sports, recreation, and fitness.
University of Florida
Students at the University of Florida have access to more than fifty intramural and club sports. The facility is where students may participate in group therapy sessions if they so want. There are support groups for LGBT students, black female students, and students going through stress, despair, or loss.
In order to inform UF students about health and wellness issues pertinent to their college experience, GatorWell Health Promotion Services uses health promotion techniques. Their goal is to provide UF students with the tools they need to prevent illness and stay well.
Georgia Institute of Technology
Some colleges are integrating well-being into campus life, and Georgia Institute of Technology is one of the most efficient ones at this. Their goal is to ensure students thrive every step of the way. This program is based on the principle that prevention is better than cure. There are a number of safety nets that students can benefit from, such as group health coaching and financial wellness classes.
The campus also comes with the Georgia Tech Wellness Empowerment Center, which is committed to developing resources and initiatives that enable the college community to adopt healthy living practices. Through smart cooperation, they provide creative and inclusive prevention-based programs, one-on-one and group support services, and extracurricular learning opportunities.
Liberty University
Liberty University recognizes the critical role that student well-being plays in both academic achievement and overall pleasure. Because health encompasses all facets of life and extends beyond physical fitness, the institution is committed to encouraging and supporting holistic well-being.
Four essential components, including the Liberty University Student Health Center and the Wellness Initiatives department, make it happen! For example, the staff responsible for student health records keeps track of each student’s medical history and immunization records. They encourage wellness initiatives that, via opportunities for professionally supervised health education and programming, encourage healthy living among students, professors, and staff across the institution.
Liberty advocates for a healthier student population through the annual health-focused celebrations hosted by the Live Healthy Liberty Coalition and the Student Wellness Committee. The groups also share essential college health and wellness knowledge through their department’s podcast and on social media outlets.
Why Health and Wellness Programs Matter in Colleges
- Effective student health and wellness programs provide a motivating boost not just for students but also for professors and other members of the community.
- Students become more conscious of their surroundings and open to learning. Their academic performance is enhanced as a result.
- Undergraduate learners and school personnel engage and interact with one another more when college wellness initiatives are implemented. Everyone’s attitudes become healthier and more cheerful as a result of these wellness initiatives.
- It may be rather difficult to keep discipline in place with college students. Discipline and behavioral concerns need to be handled extremely carefully by educators. Programs for wellness encourage a reduction in behavioral problems both within and outside of the classroom.
- Enhancing collaborations between the community, schools, and families, as well as concentrating on and enhancing school wellness, raise employee morale and productivity while streamlining operations.
- Anxiety among students also arises from studying, test-taking, and succeeding academically. Wellness practices, together with encouragement and support for learning, can help to lessen fear. Wellness programs are advantageous to faculty and staff as well as students, and they may eventually lead to better life quality and academic results.
- Reducing anxiety, fear, and other stresses and improving the emotional and mental responses to stressors are the goals of these health and wellness programs. Additionally, exercise promotes teamwork, group learning, and coordination.
- To maximize downtime and vacations from academic responsibilities, it is important to teach coping mechanisms such as mindfulness. Following a technique helps students focus on their assignments, be more productive, and be more enthusiastic about learning.