University  was established in Beaver, Pennsylvania in 1853 as Beaver Female Seminary.  In 2001 Beaver College officially changed its name to Arcadia University.  It was thought that a new name would emphasize the school's position as one of the top small institutions of higher learning on the East Coast, and would cement its change in designation from "college" to "university". Arcadia University emphasizes the strengths of a liberal education while meeting the changing educational, career, and developmental needs of students all over the world. All students are challenged to achieve their full potential and recognize their ability and responsibility to make choices that affect the future.

Arcadia University has a dedicated community of teacher and scholars, administrators, staff, trustees and students who work together to create a climate of learning and personal growth based upon cooperative relationships  and intellectual challenge. A beautiful rolling campus built around the historic landmark Grey Towers Castle. More than 4,000 students choose from among 75 fields of study.

International Programs
Arcadia University is known for its study abroad programs. Ninety-five of undergraduates at Arcadia study in another country at least once during their college careers. University's commitment to a global education has gained wide recognition.In 2006, the Middle States Commission on Higher Education approved Arcadia’s proposal to establish an additional location in Paris and to extend its accreditation to cover the Masters in International Relations and Diplomacy offered in the French capital by the American Graduate School of International Relations and Diplomacy.

Financial Aid
Ninety-eight percent of full-time undergraduate students receive merit-based scholarships and/or need-based grants from Arcadia University. Such scholarships and grants are made possible through the generous gifts of alumni, parents, faculty, staff and friends of Arcadia University.

The Office of Enrollment Management assists students in creating a financial plan that fits their current needs and their future goals in the following ways:
1) through the Arcadia University Office of Enrollment Management, which works closely with students and their parents to assist in every phase of the financial aid process;
2) through academic and/or co-curricular merit scholarships that over 60 percent of Arcadia undergraduate students receive;
3) through outside scholarships that Arcadia can help students research;
4) through federal and state grants, student loans and campus employment that provide additional financial support for qualifying students.