Elmira College is a private, coeducational, Phi Beta Kappa college located in Elmira, New York. Founded in 1855, Elmira was the first college for women with a course of study equal in rigor to the best men's colleges. “Female seminaries” as they were called at the time, were essentially glorified high schools. In contrast, from its very inception, Elmira College offered rigorous academic programs.
