Different Types of Fraternities and Sororities

Your Guide to the Types of Fraternities and Sororities

Ah, Greek life.

It's one of those things that makes college something to look forward to. It gives you a sense of belonging and camaraderie in a new environment. Joining a fraternity or sorority is something many college freshmen look forward to and recruitment is one of the most exciting times on campus.

For many college students, their fraternity or sorority is their family away from home.

People often believe that all frats and sororities are the same. We can credit this to Hollywood's stereotyping in movies, but in reality, there are actually several types of fraternities and sororities, and each type offers something unique. To be specific, there are five different types of fraternities and sororities that you can pledge to.

Luckily for you, that is what we're going to talk about today.

5 Types of Fraternities and Sororities

As a new college student , you already know that you want to go Greek. The problem is trying to decide which of the 123 Greek organizations is right for you.

What Types of Activities Do Fraternities and Sororities Participate In?

Now, you’re probably wondering—aside from the Greek alphabet soup on sweatshirts and some legendary party stories, what do fraternities and sororities actually do all year long? Turns out, a whole lot more than you might expect.

A Social Calendar Packed with Fun

First up: social events! Whether it’s attending glamorous formals, gearing up for Homecoming, cheering at intramurals, or heading out for retreats and low-key hangouts, Greek life is anything but boring. Expect plenty of mixers with other chapters, spontaneous karaoke nights, and campus-wide events that make your college years unforgettable. If your vision of Greek life includes a bustling social calendar, you’re spot on.

Leaders on Campus

Fraternities and sororities aren’t just about social life—they’re also the backbone of campus leadership. You’ll find Greek members deeply involved in everything from student government to academic clubs. If you’ve got big ideas and love rallying people together, these organizations give you a place to grow your leadership chops. That “take charge” energy? It’s basically a Greek tradition.

Giving Back: Service with Heart

But there’s another side to Greek life that doesn’t always make the headlines: service. Every chapter adopts a charity or cause, channeling plenty of time and heart into fundraising and volunteering. Think blood drives, food bank volunteering, charity walks, and raising funds for organizations like Big Brothers Big Sisters of America or Children's Miracle Network. In fact, if you want to make a positive mark on your community, Greek life is one of the best ways to do it.

Every frat and sorority out there falls within one of five categories:

Social
Service
Professional
Honors
Religion/Ethnic

if you're not sure which one of those five categories appeals to you, you're not alone. Let's take a look at each group and see what they're all about.

Social

Most Greek life organizations fall under this category. Some groups will do community service, while others may focus on professional goals and networking after college. The main goal of social fraternities is to build character and find personal growth. It's a great option if you're looking to connect with people with interests that are similar to your own.

Almost all houses under the social category will be gender-based. The largest frat in the country (Sigma Alpha Epsilon) has over 304,000 members. The largest sorority (Chi Omega) has over 300,000 members . That's a lot of brothers and sisters!

Service

A service-focused fraternity or sorority focuses on getting involved with the community, often giving back to a specific cause or purpose. These houses can be co-ed and don't turn away members based on gender, though there are single-gender service organizations as well.

What's cool about joining a service organization is that you're not limited to that group. You have the ability to join social or professional organizations, too. Joining a service organization leaves your options open while allowing you to help with a cause that's near and dear to your heart. Below are some of the more well-known service fraternities:

Alpha Phi Omega (APO, A-Phi-O) : This is the largest collegiate service fraternity in the United States, with over 25,000 members. It focuses on leadership development and community service projects.
Gamma Sigma Sigma: This is a national service sorority that focuses on community service, leadership development, and sisterhood.
Epsilon Sigma Alpha: This is an international community and collegiate service organization for anyone ages 18 and older.
Circle K International (CKI): This is a service organization for college and university students that is sponsored by Kiwanis International.

Professional

Members of a professional Greek house use the group for professional networking. Any events held by the house usually focus on helping members achieve their career goals. Some examples of events can include seminars on resume-writing or continued education. They may even host job fairs and invite alumni members back to mentor current members.

When college is over, members of professional groups usually stay active after graduation. There are different fraternities that aren't even based out of a college. Whether you choose a college-based professional organization or one that's not affiliated with a school, joining a professional fraternity or sorority is a great way to network and advance in your career.

If you want to join these types of organizations, you'll have to find one that includes your field. Some organizations only focus on a specific field, so do a little research on the different organizations that exist. Here are some examples of professional fraternities:

Alpha Kappa Psi: This is a professional fraternity for students interested in business and commerce.
Phi Alpha Delta: This fraternity is for students interested in pursuing a career in law and legal studies.
Delta Sigma Pi: This fraternity is for students interested in business administration, economics, and related fields.
Pi Sigma Epsilon: This is a professional fraternity for students interested in marketing, sales, and management.
Theta Tau: This is a professional fraternity for students interested in engineering.
Alpha Omega Epsilon: This is a professional sorority for women interested in engineering.
Beta Alpha Psi: This is a professional fraternity for students interested in accounting, finance, and information systems.
Sigma Gamma Tau: This is a professional fraternity for students interested in aerospace engineering.

Honors

Of the types of sororities and fraternities, new folks will skip usual pledge process. Instead, the Honors houses invite new members based on GPA. Only high-achieving students with high GPAs may receive an invitation to join. These types of sororities and fraternities don't usually have a chapter house or participate in many Greek events, but they're great to list on a resume. Examples of honors fraternities include:

Phi Beta Kappa : This is the oldest and most prestigious honors fraternity in the United States, founded in 1776. It recognizes outstanding achievement in the liberal arts and sciences.
Alpha Lambda Delta: This is a national honors society for students who achieve a 3.5 or higher GPA in their first year of college.
Phi Kappa Phi: This is an interdisciplinary honors society that recognizes outstanding academic achievement in all fields of study.
Sigma Tau Delta: This is an international honors society for students studying English.
Pi Mu Epsilon: This is the U.S. honorary national mathematics society.
Beta Gamma Sigma: This is an honors society associated with AACSB for students studying business and management.
Tau Beta Pi: This is an honors society for students studying engineering.
Psi Chi: This is an international honors society for students studying psychology.

Religion/Ethnic

Greek organizations that fall under this umbrella focus on faith and culture. This group was born as the result of the discriminatory ways of other organizations in the past.

Many of the present-day faith-based organizations welcome anyone who wants to join as long as they have an appreciation of the religion or ethnicity that the group was originally founded to promote. Of course, they still attract pledges from a specific race or religion as well. Some examples of these types of fraternities and sororities include:

Alpha Phi Alpha: This is a historically African-American fraternity that was founded at Cornell University in 1906. It has a strong focus on social justice and advocacy for the African-American community.
Delta Phi Lambda: This is a sorority that was founded at the University of Georgia in 1998. It focuses on promoting Asian awareness and sisterhood.
Kappa Beta Gamma: This is a sorority that was founded at Marquette University in 1917. It has a strong Catholic identity and focuses on community service and leadership development.
Kappa Phi Lambda : This is a sorority that was founded at Binghamton University in 1995. It focuses on promoting Asian awareness and sisterhood.
Lambda Theta Alpha: This is a sorority that was founded at Kean University in 1975. It is the first Latina sorority and focuses on empowering Latina women.
Zeta Phi Beta: This is a historically African-American sorority that was founded at Howard University in 1920. It has a strong focus on community service and advocacy for women's rights.

Smart Questions to Ask Before You Join

Before you decide to pledge, it’s wise to do a little homework and find out what each fraternity or sorority is really like—not just at the parties, but behind the scenes. To help you sort your options, here are some questions you’ll want to ask during rush events or chapter info sessions:

What are the expectations for members? Get clarity on academics, service hours, and participation in chapter meetings or events.
How will joining impact my studies? Ask about academic support systems, study hours, or GPA requirements.
What leadership or development opportunities are available? Fraternities and sororities often have officer positions, committees, and mentoring.
Is there a focus on community service? Find out how involved the chapter is in volunteering and philanthropy work.
What financial commitment is involved? Membership comes with dues and fees—ask for details so there are no surprises.
What is the living situation? If there’s a house, ask if living there is mandatory, and for how long.
What core values does the chapter emphasize? Make sure their mission aligns with your own principles or interests.
Is the organization recognized by the university? Official status affects campus support, event access, and sometimes eligibility for scholarships.
How much time will I need to commit? Some chapters require more involvement than others—find out what’s typical.
How is the new-member process structured? Ask about orientation, responsibilities, and whether there are traditions or pledging activities you should know about.
What makes this chapter unique? Every group has a different vibe and priorities—see what stands out.
What are the long-term benefits? Think past college—alumni networks, career connections, and friendships can go a long way.

Asking these questions will help you get beyond the surface and figure out which group feels like home. Remember, joining a fraternity or sorority is about finding a place where you’ll thrive, contribute, and grow—so don’t be shy about digging a little deeper before you make your choice.

Final Thoughts on the Types of Fraternities

Choosing a fraternity or sorority is an important decision that only you can make. Before you pledge to any house, you need to decide which among these types of fraternities you'd like to join. Once you have an idea of the type of fraternity or sorority you're interested in, you can focus on meeting those groups on your campus and becoming a member.