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 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.
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.
Indiana Wesleyan University
Indiana 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.
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.
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. Ambrose University
St. 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.
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.
Trine University
Trine 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.
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 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.
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