Read about the largest sororities in the United States.
The largest sororities may not always be the oldest or most prestigious, but their members often view them as the best. Joining one of the largest sororities provides an instant bond that can connect women across the world, offering a rewarding and enriching experience. These sororities often boast extensive networks and opportunities for personal and professional growth.
The oldest sorority on both lists is Delta Delta Delta, founded in 1888.
What is the largest sorority?
There are two main ways for ranking sororities by size. You can look at their overall membership or their number of chapters active on college campuses.
The largest sorority by membership is Chi Omega, also called “Chi O,” and the largest sorority by active chapters is Alpha Omicron Pi, or “A O Pi” for short. These sororities are all members of the National Panhellenic Conference.
All together there are over four million college members and alumnae represented by the National Panhellenic Conference at over 620 colleges and universities.
10 Largest Sororities by Members
- Chi Omega: 300,000 members
Founded in 1895 at the University of Arkansas, Chi Omega is the largest women’s fraternal organization in the world. Known for its commitment to personal integrity, excellence in academic and professional pursuits, and lifelong friendship, Chi Omega also has a strong philanthropic focus, supporting the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
- Kappa Alpha Theta: 250,000 members
Established in 1870 at DePauw University, Kappa Alpha Theta was the first Greek-letter fraternity for women. The organization prides itself on fostering leadership, personal growth, and academic excellence. Their primary philanthropy is Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), supporting children in the foster care system.
- Delta Delta Delta: 238,000 members
Commonly known as Tri Delta, this sorority was founded in 1888 at Boston University. Tri Delta is dedicated to promoting kindness and active participation in philanthropy, particularly supporting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. They emphasize a lifelong commitment to growth and development.
- Kappa Kappa Gamma: 235,000 members
Kappa Kappa Gamma was founded in 1870 at Monmouth College in Illinois. This sorority focuses on leadership, personal development, and academic achievement. Their philanthropy efforts include supporting mental health and well-being through various initiatives.
- Pi Beta Phi : 230,000 members
Founded in 1867 at Monmouth College, Pi Beta Phi is one of the oldest women’s fraternities. Pi Beta Phi promotes friendship, leadership, and service to others, with a particular focus on literacy and education through their Read > Lead > Achieve initiative.
- (tie) Kappa Delta: 230,000 members
Kappa Delta was established in 1897 at the State Female Normal School (now Longwood University) in Virginia. The sorority encourages confidence in women through their Confidence Coalition and supports the prevention of child abuse through partnerships with organizations like Prevent Child Abuse America.
- Delta Zeta: 220,000 members
Founded in 1902 at Miami University in Ohio, Delta Zeta focuses on social and philanthropic activities that foster leadership and personal development. Their primary philanthropy is supporting speech and hearing causes, in partnership with the Starkey Hearing Foundation.
- Alpha Delta Pi: 215,000 members
Alpha Delta Pi, established in 1851 at Wesleyan College in Georgia, is the first secret society for women. Known for its commitment to sisterhood, scholarship, and service, Alpha Delta Pi supports the Ronald McDonald House Charities, providing resources and support to families of seriously ill children.
- Alpha Chi Omega: 210,000 members
Alpha Chi Omega was founded in 1885 at DePauw University. This sorority emphasizes the importance of personal and academic growth, leadership, and philanthropy. They are dedicated to supporting victims of domestic violence through partnerships with various organizations.
- Zeta Tau Alpha: 207,000 members
Founded in 1898 at the State Female Normal School (now Longwood University) in Virginia, Zeta Tau Alpha focuses on fostering sisterhood, leadership, and service. Their primary philanthropic focus is breast cancer education and awareness, partnering with organizations like the American Cancer Society.
10 Largest Sororities by Active Chapters
- Alpha Omicron Pi: 184 active chapters
Founded in 1897 at Barnard College of Columbia University, Alpha Omicron Pi focuses on promoting lifelong friendships, inspiring academic excellence, and encouraging philanthropic efforts. Their primary philanthropy is supporting arthritis research and education through the Arthritis Foundation.
- Alpha Gamma Delta: 182 active chapters
Alpha Gamma Delta was established in 1904 at Syracuse University. The sorority aims to inspire the highest type of womanhood through leadership, scholarship, and service. Their philanthropic focus is on fighting hunger, supporting local food banks, and partnering with Meals on Wheels.
- Gamma Phi Beta: 173 active chapters
Founded in 1874 at Syracuse University, Gamma Phi Beta emphasizes building strong girls, serving the community, and promoting lifelong friendships. Their philanthropic efforts support organizations that help girls become strong women, such as Girls on the Run.
- Chi Omega: 171 active chapters
Established in 1895 at the University of Arkansas, Chi Omega is the largest women’s fraternal organization by membership. Chi Omega promotes personal integrity, academic excellence, and lifelong friendship, and supports the Make-A-Wish Foundation as its primary philanthropy.
- Delta Zeta: 160 active chapters
Delta Zeta was founded in 1902 at Miami University in Ohio. The sorority is dedicated to social and philanthropic activities that foster leadership and personal development. Their primary philanthropy focuses on speech and hearing causes, in partnership with the Starkey Hearing Foundation.
- Zeta Tau Alpha: 157 active chapters
Founded in 1898 at the State Female Normal School (now Longwood University) in Virginia, Zeta Tau Alpha promotes sisterhood, leadership, and service. Their main philanthropic effort is breast cancer education and awareness, partnering with organizations like the American Cancer Society.
- Alpha Phi: 154 active chapters
Established in 1872 at Syracuse University, Alpha Phi is committed to promoting sisterhood, cultivating leadership, and encouraging academic excellence. The Alpha Phi Foundation supports women’s heart health and provides scholarships and leadership development programs.
- Delta Gamma: 146 active chapters
Founded in 1873 at the Lewis School for Girls in Mississippi, Delta Gamma focuses on fostering high ideals of friendship, promoting educational and cultural interests, and developing the best qualities of character. Their primary philanthropy is Service for Sight, supporting the visually impaired.
- Kappa Delta: 142 active chapters
Kappa Delta was founded in 1897 at the State Female Normal School (now Longwood University) in Virginia. The sorority promotes confidence in women through their Confidence Coalition and supports the prevention of child abuse through partnerships with organizations like Prevent Child Abuse America.
- Delta Delta Delta: 138 active chapters
Commonly known as Tri Delta, this sorority was established in 1888 at Boston University. Tri Delta is dedicated to promoting kindness, academic excellence, and active participation in philanthropy, particularly supporting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
What are the Benefits of Joining a Sorority
Joining a sorority offers numerous benefits that can significantly enhance your college experience and provide lasting advantages beyond graduation. Here are some key benefits of becoming a sorority member:
Lifelong Friendships
- Strong Bonds: Sororities create an environment where you can form deep, lasting friendships with like-minded women.
- Support Network: Members often develop a close-knit support network that helps them navigate the challenges of college life and beyond.
Leadership Opportunities
- Develop Skills: Sororities offer various leadership roles, from executive positions to committee chairs, helping you develop valuable leadership skills.
- Event Planning: Organizing events and participating in sorority activities provides practical experience in planning, coordination, and teamwork.
Academic Support
- Study Groups: Many sororities offer study groups and academic mentoring, promoting a culture of scholastic achievement.
- Scholarships: Some sororities provide scholarships and academic grants to help members finance their education.
Professional Networking
- Alumni Connections: Sororities have extensive alumni networks that can provide career advice, mentorship, and job opportunities.
- Career Fairs and Workshops: Many sororities host career fairs, workshops, and networking events, giving you a head start in your professional journey.
Social Activities
- Balanced Life: Sororities offer a variety of social events, including formals, mixers, and sisterhood retreats, ensuring a balanced and enjoyable college experience.
- Campus Involvement: Being part of a sorority often leads to greater involvement in campus activities and organizations, enriching your college life.
Interesting Facts About the Largest Sororities
Sorority vs. Women’s Fraternity
The term “sorority” was actually coined specifically for Gamma Phi Beta. Prior to this, all women’s Greek organizations were referred to as “women’s fraternities.” This terminology shift marked a significant moment in the history of Greek life, distinguishing female-focused organizations from their male counterparts.
Interestingly, two of the earliest women’s fraternities, Alpha Delta Pi and Phi Mu, began as academic societies and did not originally use Greek letters. Alpha Delta Pi, founded in 1851 at Wesleyan College in Georgia, was initially called the Adelphean Society. Phi Mu, established a year later at the same college, was known as the Philomathean Society. These organizations later adopted Greek letters as they evolved into more traditional Greek-letter societies.
The transition from academic societies to Greek-letter organizations reflects the broader evolution of women’s fraternities into what we now commonly refer to as sororities. This evolution allowed these organizations to expand their focus beyond academics to include leadership, philanthropy, and social engagement, providing a more holistic support system for women in higher education.