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:
- $5,584 (2011-12)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $21,063 (2011-12)
- Enrollment:
- 49,900
- Setting:
- suburban
Orlando, FL
The University of Central Florida is based in Orlando and has regional campuses throughout the middle of the state. The school has more than 350 clubs and organizations for students to consider joining.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $5,931 (2012-13)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $17,078 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 23,279
- Setting:
- city
Logan, UT
Utah State University has a total undergraduate enrollment of 23,279, with a gender distribution of 44.8 percent male students and 55.2 percent female students.
- Tuition and fees:
- $31,076 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 5,998
- Setting:
- suburban
Azusa, CA
Founded in 1899, Azusa Pacific University is a private institution. Azusa Pacific University follows a semester-based academic calendar and its admissions are considered selective.
- Tuition and fees:
- $23,740 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 1,951
- Setting:
- city
Madison, WI
Edgewood College is a private institution that was founded in 1927. The school has 81.4 percent of its classes with fewer than 20 students, and the student-faculty ratio at Edgewood College is 12:1.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $11,153 (2012-13)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $22,844 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 15,000
- Setting:
- rural
Carbondale, IL
Southern Illinois University--Carbondale was established in 1869 as a public institution. Southern Illinois University--Carbondale follows a semester-based academic calendar and its admissions are considered selective.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $9,220 (2012-13)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $21,754 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 10,134
- Setting:
- urban
Kansas City, MO
At the University of Missouri—Kansas City (UMKC), students can explore more than 175 clubs and about 15 Greek-letter organizations. Former President Harry Truman attended the law school at UMKC for two years and later received the school’s first honorary degree.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $5,809 (2011-12)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $19,919 (2011-12)
- Enrollment:
- 22,643
- Setting:
- urban
Albuquerque, NM
University of New Mexico has a total undergraduate enrollment of 22,643, with a gender distribution of 44.4 percent male students and 55.6 percent female students. At this school, 10.0 percent of the students live in college-owned, -operated, or -affiliated housing and 90.0 percent of students live off campus.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $8,980 (2012-13)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $23,650 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 17,627
- Setting:
- suburban
Muncie, IN
At Ball State University in Muncie, Ind., undergraduate students can choose from about 180 majors, including the highly ranked entrepreneurship program. Notable alumni include late-night talk show host David Letterman, who created a scholarship for creative Ball State media students with average grades.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $10,520 (2012-13)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $17,828 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 15,059
- Setting:
- rural
Bowling Green, OH
Located about 85 miles south of Detroit in northern Ohio, Bowling Green State University (BGSU) offers more than 300 student clubs, about 40 Greek organizations, and an anonymous, masked spirit crew. Notable alumni include Academy Award-winning actress Eva Marie Saint.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $7,233 (2012-13)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $17,478 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 11,911
- Setting:
- city
Fargo, ND
Located in the city of Fargo, North Dakota State University (NDSU) offers more than 100 academic majors and Division I sports. Notable NDSU alumni include Alf Clausen, Emmy Award-winning music director for The Simpsons television show.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $8,094 (2011-12)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $19,424 (2011-12)
- Enrollment:
- 5,935
- Setting:
- city
Huntsville, AL
Students at University of Alabama—Huntsville can choose from more than 60 academic majors. UAHuntsville history majors with good academic merit may be eligible for a scholarship established by alumnus John Hendricks, founder and chair of Discovery Communications.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $9,211 (2011-12)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $18,601 (2011-12)
- Enrollment:
- 31,764
- Setting:
- urban
Houston, TX
With its campus situated in one of the largest cities in the country, the University of Houston puts its students in an ideal location to find internships and research opportunities. Options exist on campus, too, with about 40 research centers.
- Tuition and fees:
- $24,478 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 1,929
- Setting:
- rural
Berrien Springs, MI
Founded in 1874, Andrews University is a private institution. Andrews University follows a semester-based academic calendar and its admissions are considered selective.
- Tuition and fees:
- $28,582 (2011-12)
- Setting:
- rural
Ashland, OH
Ashland University is a private school in Ohio affiliated with the Brethren Church. Ashland students have about 70 undergraduate major programs to choose from.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $6,749 (2012-13)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $20,018 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 12,188
- Setting:
- city
Bozeman, MT
Montana State University is home to many unique research facilities, such as the Plant Growth Center of nearly 30 greenhouses, and the Center for Bison and Wildlife Health. Notable alumni include Jan Stenerud, one of the few Pro Football Hall of Fame placekickers.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $6,040 (2012-13)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $19,068 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 14,495
- Setting:
- city
Las Cruces, NM
New Mexico State University (NMSU) has five locations, with the main campus situated in Las Cruces. NMSU is home to the Chile Pepper Institute, which promotes the state vegetable.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $13,044 (2012-13)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $22,510 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 17,306
- Setting:
- suburban
DeKalb, IL
Students at Northern Illinois University (NIU) can join more than 200 clubs, nearly 40 Greek-letter organizations, and numerous Division I sports teams. Notable NIU alumni include Dan Castellaneta, who voices several characters on the animated television show The Simpsons.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $7,834 (2011-12)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $20,570 (2011-12)
- Enrollment:
- 12,674
- Setting:
- urban
Denver, CO
University of Colorado—Denver offers about 130 areas of study, including top-ranked health and medical master’s programs at the Anschutz Medical Campus. In their free time, CU Denver students can get involved in more than 100 campus organizations, as well as student government, ROTC, and volunteer opportunities.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $6,248 (2012-13)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $19,844 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 14,820
- Setting:
- city
Reno, NV
The University of Nevada—Reno is located on the western edge of the state on the border between the Great Basin and the Sierra Nevada. Off campus, Nevada students can visit the nearby Lake Tahoe, check out the museums and festivals of Reno, and drive just a few hours to California’s capital of Sacramento or the San Francisco Bay Area.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $6,136 (2012-13)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $19,934 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 14,660
- Setting:
- city
Greensboro, NC
At the University of North Carolina—Greensboro (UNCG), students can get involved in more than 200 organizations and Division I sports. Notable UNCG alumni include Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Claudia Emerson and Tony Award-winning actress Beth Leavel.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $9,606 (2011-12)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $22,338 (2011-12)
- Enrollment:
- 20,054
- Setting:
- city
Kalamazoo, MI
Located in Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University offers more than 300 student organizations, nearly 30 fraternities and sororities, and many Division I sports. Off campus, WMU students can check out Kalamazoo’s zoo, theater, and festivals, or drive 40 minutes to the Lake Michigan beaches of South Haven.
- Tuition and fees:
- $36,382 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 3,347
- Setting:
- city
Chester, PA
At Widener University in Chester, Pa., many students help the community by mentoring local children, building houses, and donating blood. Notable Widener University alumni include esteemed film director Cecil B. DeMille.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $5,318 (2012-13)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $17,896 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 21,589
- Setting:
- city
Greenville, NC
Founded in 1907, East Carolina University is a public institution. East Carolina University follows a semester-based academic calendar and its admissions are considered selective.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $5,871 (2011-12)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $13,020 (2011-12)
- Enrollment:
- 9,109
- Setting:
- rural
Ruston, LA
Louisiana Tech University is a public institution that was founded in 1894. The school has 52.4 percent of its classes with fewer than 20 students, and the student-faculty ratio at Louisiana Tech University is 23:1.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $7,404 (2012-13)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $9,350 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 10,993
- Setting:
- rural
Brookings, SD
South Dakota State University was established in 1881 as a public institution. South Dakota State University follows a semester-based academic calendar and its admissions are considered selective.
