Starting your college search can be overwhelming with all the choices you have. Will you pick a college or university? Two-year or four-year? Public or private? Comprehensive or liberal arts based? Research intensive or specialized? The options seem to be endless! That’s why we’re highlighting different types of schools across the country and all the benefits they offer.
Here, you’ll find great options for research colleges and universities in the Midwestern US. Research institutions invest a lot in research and development, which creates amazing opportunities for students to get involved in projects and work with faculty in their fields of interest. Research colleges can be public or private, and they are often designated by the Carnegie Classification system as Tier 1, R1, or Top Tier Universities for the level of research conducted on campus. Want to learn more about this type of school? Here are just a few great options for research-inclined students. See what they have to offer and click the green "Connect me" buttons to show your interest!
Michigan State University
Michigan State University is a comprehensive public land-grant university in East Lansing, Michigan—80 miles from Detroit. For more than 160 years, MSU has been a place to explore with more than 200 areas of study in 17 degree-granting colleges and a wealth of hands-on undergraduate research opportunities. Nearly 50,000 students get involved on campus in 900+ clubs and organizations as well as off campus through 275 study abroad programs in more than 60 countries.
Northwestern University
Northwestern University is a premier private research institution in Evanston, Illinois, just miles from Chicago. With a 6:1 student-faculty ratio, Northwestern fosters a collaborative environment where undergraduates are encouraged to combine diverse passions through its flexible quarter system. Students benefit from world-renowned programs, cutting-edge research opportunities, and independent summer grants. Life on the Lake Michigan shore is balanced by Big Ten spirit, over 500 student organizations, and easy access to the professional landscape of Chicago.
The Ohio State University
The Ohio State University is a public land-grant research institution located on a 1,665-acre campus in Columbus, Ohio. Founded in 1870, it serves over 60,000 students and is recognized for its diverse academic programs and high research activity. Students benefit from a 18:1 student-faculty ratio, extensive internship opportunities, and more than 1,000 student organizations. With its iconic "Horseshoe" stadium and vibrant campus life, Ohio State offers a comprehensive environment for both innovation and tradition.
Ohio University
Ohio University is a public comprehensive research institution on a 1,500-acre main campus in Athens, Ohio—75 miles southeast of Columbus. OHIO offers more than 250 majors, minors, and certificates as well as 30 PhD programs and a 16:1 student-faculty ratio to over 28,000 students across five regional campuses and online. Students can also take advantage of more than 550 campus organizations (with the ability to create your own), seven on-campus galleries, 16 NCAA Division I athletic teams (with free admission to home games), 21 miles of bike paths on campus, Learning Communities for first-year students, and more.
Oklahoma State University
Oklahoma State University is a public comprehensive land-grant research university on an 840-acre main campus in Stillwater, Oklahoma—70 miles west of Tulsa. OSU is home to more than 35,000 students across its five-campus system with more than 250 academic programs, including 110 minors and 87 undergraduate majors that offer over 200 options and concentrations. Students also benefit from 30 on-campus housing options, study abroad programs in over 50 countries, the unique Freshman Research Program, more than 500 clubs and organizations, Greek life, diverse student associations, and dozens of intramural sports teams.
Saint Louis University
Saint Louis University is a private Jesuit Catholic research university on a 282-acre campus in St. Louis, Missouri. Almost 13,000 students are enrolled in nearly 90 undergraduate programs and more than 100 graduate and professional programs, with many departments offering accelerated bachelor’s-to-master’s degree tracks that allow students to complete a graduate degree with only one additional year of coursework. As a comprehensive, doctoral degree–granting institution with high research activity, SLU values academic excellence, life-changing research, compassionate health care, and a strong commitment to faith and service.
University of Akron
The University of Akron is a public research institution within walking distance of downtown Akron, Ohio. Home to more than 13,400 total students, UA enrolls 11,300+ undergraduates in 200 degree programs spanning Engineering, Business, Computer Technology, Health Care, Education, and the Arts & Sciences. Students also enjoy state-of-the-art labs and facilities, a 53-foot climbing rock wall at the Rec Center, and over 340 student clubs and organizations focused on academics, arts and culture, athletics, band and choir, community service, eSports, Greek life, health, and more.
University of Cincinnati
The University of Cincinnati is a public research institution on a 250-acre campus just two miles from downtown Cincinnati, Ohio. Named a top 40 public research university and designated a “research heavyweight” by The Chronicle of Higher Education, UC offers more than 130 baccalaureate programs as well as associate, master’s, doctoral, and professional degrees to more than 46,000 students. You’ll also find 500+ student organizations, co-ops and internships, study abroad and service learning programs, and extensive research opportunities.
University of Michigan-Flint
University of Michigan-Flint is a public research university in Flint, Michigan—55 miles north of Detroit. Through five colleges and schools, the University offers more than 65 in-demand bachelor’s degree programs to over 6,500 students. UM-Flint helps students thrive through their unique Success Mentoring Program, which provides new college students with peer mentors, and the Student Success Center, which offers a range of advising, tutoring, and career services.
University of Missouri—Columbia
The University of Missouri is a comprehensive, land-grant public research university in Columbia, Missouri—about 30 miles from Jefferson City. As the state’s flagship university, Mizzou offers 300 degree programs to 30,000+ students, creating a diverse and inclusive community for pursuing passions and preparing for successful careers. The University also offers abundant resources like over 700 student organizations and a variety of events throughout the year and the MU Career Center, which provides students with career counseling, job search assistance, and access to over 2,000 employers.
University of Montana—Missoula
The University of Montana is a public comprehensive D1 research university offering two four-year campuses in Missoula as well as two two-year locations for the College of Missoula. With more than 175 programs to choose from, the University’s 11,000+ students find everything they need academically here, including state-of-the-art facilities and cutting-edge research opportunities that underscore a commitment to innovation. UM also offers a vibrant student life with 180+ student organizations on campus; 14 intercollegiate athletic teams; and unprecedented opportunities off campus with the surrounding wilderness and downtown Missoula.
University of Oklahoma
The University of Oklahoma is a public comprehensive research institution with 3,326 acres spread across campuses in Norman, Oklahoma City, and Tulsa, Oklahoma. With over 20,000 undergraduates, OU offers 170+ majors through several colleges and schools as well as experiential learning opportunities and first-class facilities for all majors. Students can also take advantage of study abroad through programs in 200+ cities and 80+ countries, more than 680 student organizations, and athletics that include the winningest program in the modern era of college football.
Wayne State University
Wayne State University is a public comprehensive research university with a 194-acre main campus in Detroit, Michigan. Nearly 27,000 students pursue more than 340 academic programs, including 125+ bachelor's degrees as well as master's, doctoral, certificate, specialist, and professional programs. As one of the 50 largest public universities in the nation, Wayne State also offers 500+ student organizations and 6,400+ on-campus events annually.
Western Michigan University
Western Michigan University is a public research institution with a 1,200-acre campus in Kalamazoo, Michigan—145 miles from both Chicago and Detroit. More than 16,000 students are involved in a wide variety of majors through 12 colleges and schools, as well as many student organizations, clubs, recreational activities, and study abroad programs. The University offers an innovative educational approach and leading-edge research opportunities that prepare students for successful careers and a better future.
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