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About Finlandia University

Finlandia University is a private, nonprofit 501(c)(3), HLC accredited, co-educational liberal arts college affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Established in 1896 by Finnish immigrants as Suomi College, the school is located in the town of Hancock in Michigan’s northernmost region, the Keweenaw Peninsula.

OUR HISTORY & HERITAGE

Finlandia University is the only institution of higher learning in North America founded by Finns, a fact that’s evident throughout Finlandia’s campus.

FinnU is home to the cultural center of Finns in North America, the Finnish American Heritage Center. In addition, the university hosts a unique curriculum and library of resources focused on nordic studies, several Finnish exchange students and interns each year, and the Finnish American Reporter, a monthly newspaper celebrating Finnish American heritage.

Academics

Finlandia is the only private university in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

Areas of study
Finlandia offers academic programs of study leading to associate and baccalaureate degrees in the disciplines of art and design (BFA), business (BBA), liberal studies (BA, AA, AGS), and health sciences (BSN, AAS).

Accreditation
Finlandia University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Affordability

Best Value SchoolFinlandia University offers several unique tuition initiatives, numerous merit-based scholarships, and one of the most affordable tuition rates in the upper Midwest for a private university. 100 percent of our full-time domestic students receive some sort of financial aid. In 2020-21 that added up to Finlandia investing more than $3.2 million into the future of our students. In 2017, 2018, 2020 and 2021 FinnU was named a Best Value School

Copper Country

Our Location
Finlandia’s campus is located in the Keweenaw Peninsula, the northernmost point of land in Michigan. Natural beauty, mining and immigrant history, a thriving arts community, and year-round outdoor recreation opportunities are plentiful in this region known as the Copper Country.

Finlandia students enjoy miles of public beaches, more than 25 local waterfalls and easy access to Lake Superior, the largest body of fresh water in the world. Adventurous spirits find inspiration and enjoyment on miles of local hiking and biking trails, at two national and four state parks, and on acres of pristine, natural forest land.

Outdoor Recreation
Finlandia students enjoy mountain biking, hiking, fishing, camping, canoeing and boating, and with average annual snowfall of 250-300 inches, snowboarding, skiing, and ice hockey.

STUDENT LIFE

Frequent cultural, fun, and service activities are hosted by student organizations and the university. The local community offers multiple opportunities for students to attend and participate in theatre, concerts, festivals and competitions.

Our students

More than 400 students from 38 states and nine countries attended Finlandia during the 2019-2020 academic year.  About 42% live on campus; 49% are male, 51% are female; 19% are minority students; and 92% are degree-seeking (77% bachelor degree / 23% associate degree).

average class size

Our average class size is about 11 students. Finlandia faculty are committed to your personal and intellectual growth. With the careful mentorship that occurs in our small class settings, you’ll forge relationships with your teachers that will inspire you and last a lifetime.

FINLANDIA ATHLETICS

Finlandia student-athletes compete in 10 NCAA Division III sports: Men’s and women’s basketball, volleyball, men’s and women’s soccer, men’s and women’s hockey, football, baseball and softball. FinnU’s school colors are Finlandia Blue, Finlandia White and Anthracite Black, and the university’s mascot is Riku F. Lion (follow him on Twitter!).

Our Mission

Finlandia University is a learning community dedicated to academic excellence, spiritual growth, and service. 

UNIVERSITY MEMBERSHIPS

The university holds memberships in the Association of Governing Boards (AGB), Michigan Independent Colleges and Universities (MICU), Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), Council of Independent Colleges (CIC),Lutheran Educational Conference of North America (LECNA), Network of ELCA Colleges and Universities (NECU), and National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU).

YES WE MUST COALITION

YesWeMustLogoFinlandia University is a member of the Yes We Must Coalition, which strives to increase degree attainment of low-income students by promoting the work of small, independent, not-for-profit colleges and universities committed to this purpose.

OUR LUTHERAN COMMITMENT

Finlandia University was founded by Finnish Lutherans looking to make a better life for future generations. Still, today that Lutheran influence can be felt on Finlandia’s campus as it is one of 26 colleges and universities affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).


FinnU will not enroll students for 2023-2024Learn More
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