ABSTRACT
The traditional model of small colleges and universities is the one still most closely associated with independent higher education. These campuses usually have a long history and tradition of delivering liberal arts education in a residential setting. The traditional approach is the one initially adopted by most small private institutions. More recently, new institutions have focused on skills currently in demand or more definitively tied to the job market. And, as we will see, many campuses that began in the traditional model have embraced other approaches in order to remain viable. This leaves a fairly elite and specific set of institutions in the pure traditional model. However, although many are relatively wealthy and selective, even these institutions are adapting to the demographic and other challenges facing independent colleges across the nation.
