Are you searching for a school that offers both liberal arts and professional studies? How about a big, vibrant campus where you can also receive one-on-one attention from faculty? If this sounds like your college search criteria, then you’re in the right place. This list features private comprehensive colleges and universities in the West and Midwest that offer a wide range of degree programs from baccalaureate to doctoral, cutting-edge teaching and research facilities, and other exciting opportunities for students. Learn more about them and request information in just one click with the green “Connect me” buttons underneath each school. Your comprehensive college search just got easier!
Azusa Pacific University
Azusa Pacific University is a private evangelical Christian university located in Azusa, California, just northeast of Los Angeles. APU serves over 7,000 students and offers more than 150 degree options—including top-ranked programs in Nursing, Business, and Education—across its main campus and six regional locations. As a comprehensive R2 research institution, the University combines rigorous academics with a "God First" mission, providing students with a 10:1 student-to-faculty ratio and a vibrant, faith-integrated community.
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Bethel University
Bethel University is a private Christian university in St. Paul, Minnesota, offering more than 100 areas of study across its undergraduate, graduate, and seminary programs. With a 12:1 student-to-faculty ratio, Bethel blends rigorous academics with a Christ-centered community, hands-on learning, and strong faculty mentorship. The university is test-optional for students with a 3.2 GPA or higher, and 99% of first-year students receive financial aid, reflecting its commitment to access and support.
Bradley University
Bradley University is a private comprehensive university in Peoria, Illinois—three hours from Chicago, Indianapolis, and St. Louis. The University's faculty and students study, teach, and learn across more than 185 top-notch programs offered through five schools and colleges. Life at Bradley stays busy with students joining any of 240+ student organizations, completing at least two real-world experiences before graduation, and volunteering 50,000+ hours collectively to nonprofits each year.
Cornell College
Cornell College in Mount Vernon, Iowa, offers a unique "One Course At A Time" block plan, allowing students to focus on a single subject for 18-day sessions. This immersive schedule ensures classes end by 3:00 p.m. daily, leaving ample time for campus life and athletics. Through the "Ingenuity" curriculum, students are guaranteed two funded, hands-on experiences, such as internships or fieldwork, to build a professional edge. Set on a historic hilltop campus, Cornell combines intensive faculty mentorship with a vibrant community, helping students dive deep into their passions while preparing for future success.
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Drake University
Drake University is a private comprehensive university in Des Moines, Iowa. The University is home to nearly 3,000 undergraduate students who study in more than 150 majors, minors, and concentrations through seven schools and colleges. Drake’s expert faculty members acknowledge that experience is the best teacher, offering students in every major abundant opportunities to learn by doing through internships, professional and career development services, and student leadership opportunities.
Grand View University
Grand View University is a private comprehensive institution in Des Moines, Iowa. Serving approximately 1,875 students, the University offers 35 undergraduate majors and several graduate programs, including innovative fields like Data Science and eSports. With a 14:1 student-faculty ratio and an average class size of 17, Grand View emphasizes a creative, hands-on learning style. Students stay engaged through 26 athletic teams and over 40 clubs, contributing to a remarkable 98.6% job placement average over the last 20 years.
Lawrence Technological University
Lawrence Technological University is a private comprehensive university in Southfield, Michigan—just 20 miles from the center of Detroit. LTU offers around 100 programs through the Colleges of Architecture & Design, Arts & Sciences, Business & Information Technology, and Engineering. Approximately 3,000 students from 37 states and 50 countries benefit from an 11:1 student-faculty ratio and receive a high-end laptop loaded with industry-standard software, retailing at over $75,000 on average.
Lewis University
Lewis University is a private comprehensive Catholic university in Romeoville, Illinois. Lewis is a dynamic university offering more than 80 undergraduate majors, 37 graduate programs, and two doctoral programs to 6,500 undergraduate and graduate students. With more than 100 clubs and organizations and 23 intercollegiate NCAA Division II athletic teams, campus activities include theatre and performing arts, intramural and club sports, a nationally recognized scholars program, peer ministry, and volunteerism.
Millikin University
Millikin University is a private comprehensive university in Decatur, Illinois. Millikin offers more than 50 majors and a 10:1 student-faculty ratio to its 2,000+ students, who come from 39 states and 27 countries. University opportunities abound for students on campus, from student-run businesses born out of the innovative Center for Entrepreneurship and a nationally recognized School of Music to a robust athletics program, more than 100 clubs, and opportunities for international study.
Ohio Northern University
Ohio Northern University is a private comprehensive Methodist institution in the small rural village of Ada, Ohio—90 minutes from Columbus. More than 3,000 students from all 50 states and 15 countries are enrolled in a variety of majors, minors, professional programs, and concentrations through the Colleges of Arts & Sciences, Business Administration, Engineering, and Pharmacy. ONU also offers an average class size of 19, a student-faculty ratio of 12:1, 200+ clubs and organizations, and 23 athletic teams competing in NCAA Division III.
St. Catherine University
St. Catherine University is a comprehensive liberal arts institution located in central St. Paul, Minnesota. At the heart of the University is the College for Women, a traditional undergraduate program with nearly 4,000 students and over 60 majors, plus 35 more programs in partnership with neighboring colleges and universities. St. Kate’s also offers a strong orientation program, peer mentors, 70+ chartered clubs and organizations, and 28 National Honor Society chapters.
University of Chicago
The University of Chicago is a private comprehensive university located seven miles south of downtown Chicago, Illinois. Approximately 6,800 undergraduates pursue over 50 majors and more than 40 minors, with the opportunity to double-major, create their own, or explore interdisciplinary opportunities. UChicago also features a rigorous liberal arts curriculum, small discussion-style seminars, a 5:1 student-faculty ratio, more than 3,000 offered courses, nearly 60 faculty-designed and taught study abroad programs, and 400+ student organizations.
University of Detroit Mercy
The University of Detroit Mercy is a private comprehensive Roman Catholic institution sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy with three campuses in Detroit, Michigan. The University offers more than 100 academic programs and a 13:1 student-faculty ratio to more than 5,500 undergraduate and graduate students. Detroit Mercy also features accelerated options, intricate study abroad programs, community service projects, research opportunities with award-winning faculty, and competitive internships at major organizations in Detroit and beyond.
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Looking for more great options for undergrads? Explore all our featured undergraduate school profiles to learn more and get recruited quickly and easily!
