Blackburn College is a private, four-year liberal arts college located in Carlinville, Illinois, approximately 45 miles southwest of Springfield and about an hour north of downtown St. Louis. Founded in 1837 and named for Reverend Gideon Blackburn, a Presbyterian minister who helped raise funds for the institution, it is one of the oldest colleges in Illinois and is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (USA).

Blackburn is one of only ten federally recognized work colleges in the United States and stands apart as the only institution with a fully student-managed Work Program. All resident students work 10 hours per week in partnership with faculty and staff to provide essential college services, earning tuition credit that helps keep costs among the lowest of all private colleges in Illinois.

The college occupies 80 acres of hilly, wooded land in Carlinville, with 18 buildings on campus, many of which were built by student workers themselves. With a student-faculty ratio of 7:1 and over 30 majors, Blackburn provides an intimate academic environment where the boundaries between classroom learning and real-world work experience are intentionally blurred.

Blackburn College offers over 30 majors and 50 distinct undergraduate degree programs across 20 broad fields of study. The college combines a rigorous liberal arts curriculum with its nationally recognized Work Program, providing students with both academic knowledge and practical professional skills. With small class sizes and a 7:1 student-faculty ratio, students receive highly personalized instruction.

Blackburn College is committed to making private liberal arts education affordable. There are no hidden fees for student activities, parking, or technology. The unique Work Program provides all residential students with a tuition credit, significantly reducing the overall cost of attendance.

Blackburn's 80-acre campus features hilly, wooded terrain with mature trees framing 18 buildings, many of which were constructed by student workers through the Work Program. The neoclassical architecture and established greenery create a picturesque, self-contained college setting in the heart of Carlinville, Illinois.

Hudson Hall

The main classroom building housing seminar rooms, faculty offices, and the Clegg Memorial Chapel. Fully renovated in 1999 with modern instructional technology.

Lumpkin Library

Completed by Blackburn students in 1970, the library holds approximately 70,000 volumes and serves as a central hub for academic research and study.

Athletic Complex

The Dawes Gymnasium and Woodward addition include a swimming pool, locker rooms, exercise areas, and handball courts for student athletes and recreation.

Life at Blackburn College is shaped by the collaborative spirit of the Work Program, small class sizes, and a close-knit campus community. With a student body of around 384 undergraduates, students form meaningful connections with peers, faculty, and staff while participating in a wide range of extracurricular activities.

Blackburn College has earned recognition for its commitment to affordability, social mobility, and educational access. The college consistently ranks among the top regional colleges in the Midwest and has received national honors for its unique Work Program model.