Vassar College ( ) is a private, coeducational, liberal arts college in the town of Poughkeepsie, New York, in the United States. Vassar is one of the Seven Sisters — elite higher education schools that historically served as sister institutions to the Ivy League when it only admitted men. Founded as a women's college in 1861 by Matthew Vassar, the school became coeducational in 1969. The college offers B.A. degrees in more than 50 majors and features a flexible curriculum designed to promote a breadth of studies. Vassar also offers many extracurricular organizations including student theater, a cappella groups, club sports, volunteer and service groups, and a circus troupe. Vassar College's varsity sports teams, known as the Brewers, play in the NCAA's Division III as members of the Liberty League.