Instead, their primary purposes are often stated as the development of character, literary or leadership ability, or to serve a more simple social purpose.
A fraternity is usually understood to mean a social organization composed only of men while a sorority is composed of women.
This list of collegiate North American fraternities is not exhaustive.
Other listed fraternities have a traditional emphasis on a specific religion or ethnic background but are primarily social in function.
Inactive fraternities are indicated in italics Coeducational fraternities permit both male and female members.