Welcome to William Peace University. Where your story really begins.
If you are looking for a different type of college experience – one that is rooted in the liberal arts but committed to building skills for 21st century careers – William Peace University might be for you.
If you’re willing to take an active role in our learning community and apply yourself in and out of the classroom, our innovative approach to education could help you shine. If you like the vibe of a busy, modern city but you also appreciate historic charm and green space, our downtown Raleigh campus might just feel like home.
In this Section
Welcome to William Peace University. Where your story really begins.
WPU At-a-Glance
View More At A Glance- Our Students
Our learning community is remarkable in its diversity, but our students share a common desire to think bigger, not only for themselves but for our world, too. Does that sound like you?
16total men's & women's NCAA DIII athletics teams30+Clubs & Organizations7,000+Hours of Community Service - Success After Peace
Results don’t lie – Peace graduates are uniquely prepared for what comes next, whether it’s furthering their education or beginning their career.
#1in rate of internships nationwide96+%of grads employed or in graduate school within a year of graduation67%of students land jobs directly through internships - #OurRaleigh
We’re not just in Raleigh; we’re part of Raleigh. That means access to a wealth of opportunities that make your college experience both enjoyable and successful!
#3America's Best Cities for Young Professionals#5On Forbes list of "America's Next Boom Towns" 2016#4"Best Places to Live in the U.S." - Hands-On Academics
What’s the recipe for WPU student success? A skills-enhancing core curriculum, individual attention from dedicated faculty and lots of hands-on experience in your major.
15:1student to faculty ratioTop 10%Nationally in Learning Strategies (NSSE)73%of full-time faculty hold a doctoral degree
Private non-doctoral institutions, such as WPU, play a large role in producing graduates with high-quality baccalaureate degrees — and they do so more effectively and at a much lower cost to taxpayers than comparable public institutions.
“Private nondoctoral colleges and universities have a 22 percentage point edge over comparable public institutions in four-year graduation rates and nearly a 12-point advantage in six-year graduation rates.”
The Council of Independent Colleges
“The fact that it’s a smaller school has always meant that you get that attention in a way that is so important for students who kind of feel lost.”
Our History
William Peace University has played a central role in education in this region since its founding as Peace Institute in 1857.
From our roots as primary and secondary schools, then a women’s college, Peace has grown with the city of Raleigh into the four-year, baccalaureate institution it is today, ushering in the modern era by becoming co-educational, achieving university status and honoring our founder with his full name.
