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
Founded in 1946, University of North Carolina--Charlotte is 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
University of South Dakota is a public institution that was founded in 1862. The school has 53.4 percent of its classes with fewer than 20 students, and the student-faculty ratio at University of South Dakota is 17:1.
- 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
A private institution, Benedictine University was founded in 1887.
- 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 has a total undergraduate enrollment of 4,452, with a gender distribution of 38.7 percent male students and 61.3 percent female students. At this school, 50.0 percent of the students live in college-owned, -operated, or -affiliated housing and 50.0 percent of students live off campus.
- Tuition and fees:
- $24,330 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 2,940
- Setting:
- suburban
Milwaukee, WI
Founded in 1937, Cardinal Stritch University is 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
Florida Atlantic University is a public institution that was founded in 1961. The school has 27.3 percent of its classes with fewer than 20 students, and the student-faculty ratio at Florida Atlantic University is 20:1.
- 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
Immaculata University is a private institution that was founded in 1920. The school has 84.3 percent of its classes with fewer than 20 students, and the student-faculty ratio at Immaculata University is 10:1.
- 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.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $8,605 (2012-13)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $29,062 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 22,236
- Setting:
- urban
Indianapolis, IN
Better known as IUPUI, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis hosts many events for students to attend, including the Indianapolis Tennis Championships and the annual International Festival. Students at IUPUI can also get involved in Division I sports and Greek life.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $5,504 (2011-12)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $13,494 (2011-12)
- Setting:
- city
Jackson, MS
Founded in 1877, Jackson State University is a public institution. Jackson State University follows a semester-based academic calendar and its admissions are considered selective.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $9,672 (2012-13)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $17,632 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 22,260
- Setting:
- suburban
Kent, OH
Located about 40 miles south of Cleveland, Kent State University offers more than 200 campus organizations, including Greek life, leadership programs for underclassmen, and community service clubs. In the classroom, Kent State students can choose from nearly 300 academic programs, including peace and conflict studies.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $8,544 (2012-13)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $20,574 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 9,840
- Setting:
- city
Beaumont, TX
Lamar University was established in 1923 as a public institution. Lamar University follows a semester-based academic calendar and its admissions are considered less selective.
- Tuition and fees:
- $32,600 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 1,619
- Setting:
- suburban
Boca Raton, FL
At Lynn University, a small private school in Florida, freshmen can apply for a selective program that allows them to graduate in three years instead of four. Students at Lynn University are in a prime location, with the beach just three miles away and Miami within an hour’s drive.
