National University Rankings
National University Methodology
Schools in the National Universities category, such as Columbia University and Stanford University, offer a full range of undergraduate majors, plus master's and Ph.D. programs. These colleges also are committed to producing groundbreaking research.
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- In-state tuition and fees:
- $6,216 (2012-13)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $21,806 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 10,567
- Setting:
- urban
Missoula, MT
The University of Montana offers unique academic opportunities, including classes devoted to American Indian culture and an internship on the school’s farm. Several interesting people have graduated from the University of Montana, including Carroll O’Connor, who starred as Archie Bunker in the All in the Family television show.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $5,857 (2012-13)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $18,386 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 20,283
- Setting:
- suburban
Charlotte, NC
University of North Carolina--Charlotte was established in 1946 as a public institution. University of North Carolina--Charlotte follows a semester-based academic calendar and its admissions are considered selective.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $7,704 (2012-13)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $9,650 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 7,473
- Setting:
- rural
Vermillion, SD
A public institution, University of South Dakota was founded in 1862. University of South Dakota offers a Greek system, where 8.0 percent of the student body is involved in a sorority and 16.0 percent is involved in a fraternity.
- Tuition and fees:
- $28,260 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 4,698
- Setting:
- suburban
Miami Shores, FL
Located in Miami, Barry University is a private, Catholic school that offers unique programs for all levels of students. Barry has weekend and evening classes across Florida for adult students and a freshmen program that requires all students to read the same book in the summer, ahead of their fall semester classes.
- Tuition and fees:
- $25,330 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 3,825
- Setting:
- suburban
Lisle, IL
Founded in 1887, Benedictine University is a private institution. Benedictine University follows a semester-based academic calendar and its admissions are considered selective.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $6,483 (2012-13)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $17,039 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 4,452
- Setting:
- suburban
Bowie, MD
Bowie State University is a public institution that was founded in 1865. The school has 39.8 percent of its classes with fewer than 20 students, and the student-faculty ratio at Bowie State University is 16:1.
- Tuition and fees:
- $24,330 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 2,940
- Setting:
- suburban
Milwaukee, WI
Cardinal Stritch University was established in 1937 as a private institution. Cardinal Stritch University follows a semester-based academic calendar and its admissions are considered selective.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $10,950 (2012-13)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $23,670 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 21,698
- Setting:
- city
Mount Pleasant, MI
The main campus of Central Michigan University (CMU) is located in Mount Pleasant, although it has about 60 other locations across North America. On the main campus, CMU students participate in many annual events and traditions, including Native American Month, when the school celebrates its relationship with the local Saginaw Chippewa Tribe.
- Tuition and fees:
- $18,912 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 3,127
- Setting:
- urban
Atlanta, GA
Clark Atlanta University is a historically black institution that formed when Atlanta University and Clark College merged in 1988. Many notable people have passed through Clark Atlanta and the two founding schools, such as civil rights activist and writer W.E.B. DuBois, who taught social work at the university.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $9,289 (2012-13)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $12,411 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 11,729
- Setting:
- urban
Cleveland, OH
At Cleveland State University (CSU), students can study in more than 200 academic programs, join more than 150 campus clubs, and visit numerous city attractions, such as the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Notable CSU alumni include the late Carl Stokes, who, as a former mayor of Cleveland, was the first African-American elected mayor of a major American city.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $6,503 (2011-12)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $20,799 (2011-12)
- Enrollment:
- 12,539
- Setting:
- city
Johnson City, TN
East Tennessee State University in Johnson City is largely a commuter school. The ETSU Buccaneers compete in the NCAA Division I Atlantic Sun Conference.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $5,187 (2012-13)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $17,127 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 11,180
- Setting:
- city
Tallahassee, FL
Located in Tallahassee, Florida A&M University is a historically black institution that offers a range of degrees to students of all races. The university, more commonly known as FAMU, offers more than 100 student organizations and several fraternities and sororities to join.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $4,687 (2011-12)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $19,048 (2011-12)
- Enrollment:
- 24,281
- Setting:
- city
Boca Raton, FL
A public institution, Florida Atlantic University was founded in 1961. Florida Atlantic University offers a Greek system, where 1.0 percent of the student body is involved in a sorority and 1.0 percent is involved in a fraternity.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $6,417 (2012-13)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $18,816 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 35,875
- Setting:
- urban
Miami, FL
Florida International University is a public school in Miami. Hispanic students comprise about 60 percent of the student body.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $6,724 (2012-13)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $19,000 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 17,525
- Setting:
- rural
Statesboro, GA
At Georgia Southern University, students can get a global perspective by utilizing the school’s three centers specifically for Irish, Africana, and International studies, or by studying abroad. On campus, Georgia Southern hosts many annual events for students, such as Finals Feast, when administrators treat students to a breakfast buffet during the stressful weeks of final exams.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $9,664 (2012-13)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $27,874 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 24,101
- Setting:
- urban
Atlanta, GA
Georgia State University, located in downtown Atlanta, is one of the largest universities in Georgia. To help ease the college transition, first year students can opt into the Freshmen Learning Communities program, which clusters classes of students based on shared interests.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $5,796 (2011-12)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $17,032 (2011-12)
- Setting:
- city
Pocatello, ID
Located in the city of Pocatello, Idaho State University offers more than 280 academic programs. Students can get involved in more than 130 campus clubs, play intramural sports, or try out for the Division I Idaho State Bengals varsity teams.
- Tuition and fees:
- $28,850 (2011-12)
- Enrollment:
- 3,070
- Setting:
- suburban
Immaculata, PA
A private institution, Immaculata University was founded in 1920.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $8,098 (2012-13)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $17,644 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 9,449
- Setting:
- city
Terre Haute, IN
Located in Terre Haute, Indiana State University offers more than 100 academic majors. Indiana State students can get involved in more than 120 organizations and many campus events, such as the annual tandem bicycle race.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $8,362 (2011-12)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $17,722 (2011-12)
- Enrollment:
- 12,943
- Setting:
- suburban
Indiana, PA
Indiana University of Pennsylvania, better known as IUP, is located about 60 miles northeast of Pittsburgh and offers Division II sports, Greek life, and more than 200 campus clubs. Notable IUP alumni include Chad Hurley, the cofounder and former CEO of YouTube.
