Closeup of Midwestern states on black and white illustrated broken US map

Great Private Comprehensive Undergraduate Colleges in the Midwest

Looking for a comprehensive college that offers everything from bachelor’s degrees to doctoral programs? Check out these great options in the Midwestern US.

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 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!

Creighton University

Creighton University logoCreighton University is a private comprehensive institution on the edge of downtown Omaha, Nebraska. The University offers more than 60 majors in the Arts & Sciences, Business, and Nursing, plus 45+ graduate and professional programs. Over 4,000 undergraduates benefit from an 11:1 student-faculty ratio, an average class size of 22, and an abundance of research opportunities, with 36% of undergrads participating in research that results in hundreds of national and international presentations each year. 

Connect me with Creighton!

Drake University

Drake University logoDrake 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.

Connect me with Drake!

Indiana Wesleyan University

Indiana Wesleyan University logoIndiana Wesleyan University is a private comprehensive Christian liberal arts university in Marion, Indiana—65 miles from Indianapolis. Nearly 3,000 undergraduates pursue over 80 degrees in Business, Technology, Education, Science, Ministry, Nursing, and more. IWU also offers cutting-edge facilities and residence halls, a diverse range of student organizations, and a 97% career outcomes rate.

Connect me with IWU!

Lawrence Technological University

Lawrence Technological University logoLawrence 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.

Connect me with LTU!

Lewis University

Lewis University logoLewis 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.

Connect me with Lewis!

Ohio Northern University

Ohio Northern University logoOhio 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.

Connect me with ONU!

St. Ambrose University

St. Ambrose University logoSt. Ambrose University is a comprehensive Catholic institution grounded in the liberal arts and located in the center of Davenport, Iowa—180 miles west of Chicago. The University offers more than 60 majors and lets students mix majors, minors, and electives to match their interests. More than 2,000 undergraduates also benefit from an 11:1 student-faculty ratio, 50+ student organizations, and generous scholarships and grants in the areas of academics, athletics, and fine arts.

Connect me with St. Ambrose!

St. Catherine University

St. Catherine University logoSt. 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.

Connect me with St. Kate’s!

Trine University

Trine University logoTrine University is an independent nondenominational comprehensive university in Angola, Indiana—40 miles from Fort Wayne. Over 5,000 students benefit from a 17:1 student-faculty ratio, an average class size of 19.8, and more than 40 career-focused undergraduate majors in the Arts & Sciences, Business, Education, Health Sciences, and Engineering. The University also has more than 60 clubs and organizations, 36 competitive athletic teams, and a championship golf course that’s hosted PGA events and NCAA national championships.

Connect me with Trine!

University of Chicago

University of Chicago logoThe 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.

Connect me with UChicago!

University of Detroit Mercy

University of Detroit Mercy logoThe University of Detroit Mercy is a private coeducational Roman Catholic institution with three campuses in Detroit, Michigan. With nearly 5,000 students and an 11:1 student-faculty ratio, the University offers more than 100 academic programs as well as 70+ on-campus student clubs and organizations. Other benefits of attending Detroit Mercy include intricate study abroad programs, community service projects, research opportunities with award-winning faculty,  competitive internships at major organizations in Detroit and beyond, and more.

Connect me with Detroit Mercy!

Looking for more great options for undergrads? Explore all our featured undergraduate school profiles to learn more and get recruited quickly and easily!

Like what you’re reading?

Join the CollegeXpress community! Create a free account and we’ll notify you about new articles, scholarship deadlines, and more.

Join Now

Join our community of
over 5 million students!

CollegeXpress has everything you need to simplify your college search, get connected to schools, and find your perfect fit.

Join CollegeXpress
Rhiannon Teeter

Rhiannon Teeter

$2,000 Community Service Scholarship Winner, 2012

I have spent a lot of time aggressively searching for scholarships. It was a long and frustrating process until I found the CollegeXpress network. This site made my search so much easier. With the simple check of a few boxes, the site sorted out scholarships I was eligible for and led me directly to the correct websites. Winning this scholarship has definitely given me and my family some financial relief, and CollegeXpress has allowed me to improve my chances of winning further financial aid. Thank you so much!

Jasmine

Jasmine

High School Class of 2021

CollegeXpress helped me find the school I am currently attending by consistently sending me emails of other schools. This allowed me to do research on other schools as well as the one I am in now!

Caio Matos

Caio Matos

High School Class of 2022

Starting the college admissions process as an international student was daunting. Thankfully, CollegeXpress was the first website I used for that cause and it helped me so much, from knowing where to start to deciding what my next move would be. I'll take a gap year, but I’m certainly using the website again when applying for fall 2023.

Kelly Nogueiro

Kelly Nogueiro

Counselor

For me, CollegeXpress has given me a valuable tool to use with my students to explore colleges easily beyond objective data. It helps me find colleges for students that fit their needs and wants that aren’t quite so black and white. It's a wealth of knowledge, and the Type-A side of me loves all the lists and the fact that I know they're coming from folks who know what they're talking about. I share it with colleagues and students alike, and it's always well received.

Ana Sophia Garcia-Cubas Assemat

Ana Sophia Garcia-Cubas Assemat

$10,000 Scholarship Winner, 2020

CollegeXpress has been an instrumental resource for my scholarship search and has given me the opportunity to try my best so I can graduate from college debt-free.

College Matches
X

Colleges You May Be Interested In

Meredith College

Raleigh, NC

Bishop's University

Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada

Thiel College

Greenville, PA

SUNY Maritime College

Throggs Neck, NY