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:
- $11,407 (2011-12)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $19,451 (2011-12)
- Enrollment:
- 11,866
- Setting:
- urban
Boston, MA
A public institution, University of Massachusetts--Boston was founded in 1964.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $7,276 (2012-13)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $15,340 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 17,966
- Setting:
- urban
Memphis, TN
University of Memphis has a total undergraduate enrollment of 17,966, with a gender distribution of 38.3 percent male students and 61.7 percent female students. At this school, 14.0 percent of the students live in college-owned, -operated, or -affiliated housing and 86.0 percent of students live off campus.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $9,314 (2012-13)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $22,883 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 13,159
- Setting:
- urban
St. Louis, MO
University of Missouri—St. Louis (UMSL) offers more than 120 organizations, about six fraternities and sororities, and student government. UMSL students can also explore campus media opportunities by becoming a DJ or writing for the student newspaper.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $6,510 (2012-13)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $16,520 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 11,964
- Setting:
- suburban
Omaha, NE
University of Nebraska--Omaha is a public institution that was founded in 1908. The school has 31.3 percent of its classes with fewer than 20 students, and the student-faculty ratio at University of Nebraska--Omaha is 18:1.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $6,585 (2012-13)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $20,495 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 22,138
- Setting:
- urban
Las Vegas, NV
At the University of Nevada—Las Vegas, students can get involved in research projects at the Center for Gaming Research, the Center for Popular Music, and more. The UNLV Rebels are Division I competitors.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $5,257 (2012-13)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $16,781 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 8,263
- Setting:
- urban
New Orleans, LA
Freshmen at the University of New Orleans (UNO) can transition smoothly from high school by taking the University Success 1001 course, which introduces them to college life. Off campus, UNO students can take in the excitement of New Orleans, including the famous Mardi Gras festival.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $6,514 (2012-13)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $17,788 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 10,231
- Setting:
- suburban
Greeley, CO
Located about 50 miles northeast of Denver, the University of Northern Colorado (UNC) campus is located in the city of Greeley. UNC is home to the Cesar Chavez Cultural Center, which supports Latino and Hispanic students.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $9,078 (2012-13)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $19,608 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 28,325
- Setting:
- city
Denton, TX
Among the academic offerings at the University of North Texas is the acclaimed College of Music. The College’s jazz studies major was the first of its kind in the country, and the school’s music group, the One O’Clock Lab Band, has been nominated for a Grammy.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $6,204 (2011-12)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $12,108 (2011-12)
- Enrollment:
- 11,578
- Setting:
- suburban
Mobile, AL
The University of South Alabama is located in the city of Mobile, in the upper Gulf Coast. Students at University of South Alabama can get involved in campus activities such as comedy shows, concerts, poetry slams, and movie screenings.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $6,336 (2012-13)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $14,448 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 13,618
- Setting:
- city
Hattiesburg, MS
The University of Southern Mississippi has two campuses: a main location in Hattiesburg and a complex in Long Beach. About 10 percent of students join Greek life.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $8,878 (2011-12)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $18,268 (2011-12)
- Enrollment:
- 25,419
- Setting:
- urban
Arlington, TX
A public institution, University of Texas--Arlington was founded in 1895. University of Texas--Arlington offers a Greek system, where 2.0 percent of the student body is involved in a sorority and 4.0 percent is involved in a fraternity.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $6,869 (2011-12)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $16,259 (2011-12)
- Enrollment:
- 18,975
- Setting:
- urban
El Paso, TX
University of Texas--El Paso has a total undergraduate enrollment of 18,975, with a gender distribution of 46.2 percent male students and 53.8 percent female students.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $8,419 (2012-13)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $18,949 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 26,268
- Setting:
- suburban
San Antonio, TX
Founded in 1969, University of Texas--San Antonio is a public institution. University of Texas--San Antonio follows a semester-based academic calendar and its admissions are considered selective.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $9,054 (2012-13)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $18,174 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 17,844
- Setting:
- urban
Toledo, OH
University of Toledo is a public institution that was founded in 1872. The school has 30.5 percent of its classes with fewer than 20 students, and the student-faculty ratio at University of Toledo is 19:1.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $6,060 (2012-13)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $18,960 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 9,826
- Setting:
- city
Pensacola, FL
The University of West Florida is a state school about 10 miles from downtown Pensacola. The university also has several coastal locations, including the Fort Walton Beach Campus.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $9,380 (2012-13)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $19,088 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 24,639
- Setting:
- urban
Milwaukee, WI
At the University of Wisconsin—Milwaukee (UWM), students can get involved by joining more than 300 clubs on campus, or by visiting the museums, theaters, and zoo in the city. Notable UWM alumni include Golda Meir, who founded the state of Israel, and Jim Rygiel, who won three Oscars for digital effects of the Lord of the Rings movies.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $10,560 (2011-12)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $22,712 (2011-12)
- Enrollment:
- 20,589
- Setting:
- urban
Detroit, MI
Located in Midtown Detroit, Wayne State University offers more than 400 academic programs, 200 student organizations, Division II sports, and many city attractions. Notable Wayne State graduates include the first African-American woman elected to the Senate.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $6,408 (2012-13)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $14,442 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 12,243
- Setting:
- urban
Wichita, KS
Students at Wichita State University (WSU), which is located in Kansas, are called Shockers because students used to earn money by harvesting or “shocking” wheat. Today, WSU students spend time playing Division I sports and participating in more than 200 campus organizations.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $8,354 (2012-13)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $16,182 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 14,408
- Setting:
- suburban
Dayton, OH
Wright State University is a public institution that was founded in 1964. The school has 33.9 percent of its classes with fewer than 20 students, and the student-faculty ratio at Wright State University is 24:1.
- Tuition and fees:
- $16,810 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 411
- Setting:
- suburban
San Diego, CA
Alliant International University was established in 1969 as a private institution. Alliant International University follows a semester-based academic calendar and its admissions are considered selective.
- Tuition and fees:
- $20,400 (2011-12)
- Setting:
- urban
Chicago, IL
Argosy University--Chicago was founded as a proprietary institution.
- Tuition and fees:
- $23,010 (2011-12)
- Enrollment:
- 79
- Setting:
- urban
San Francisco, CA
California Institute of Integral Studies has a total undergraduate enrollment of 79, with a gender distribution of 20.3 percent male students and 79.7 percent female students. 100.0 percent of students live off campus.
- Tuition and fees:
- $11,700 (2011-12)
- Enrollment:
- 7,487
- Setting:
- urban
Minneapolis, MN
Founded in 1993, Capella University is a proprietary institution. Capella University follows a quarter-based academic calendar and its admissions are considered selective.
- Tuition and fees:
- $10,665 (2011-12)
- Setting:
- city
Colorado Springs, CO
Colorado Technical University is a proprietary institution that was founded in 1965.
- Tuition and fees:
- $43,747 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 10,406
- Setting:
- urban
Washington, DC
George Washington University was established in 1821 as a private institution. George Washington University follows a semester-based academic calendar and its admissions are considered most selective.
- Tuition and fees:
- $11,010 (2011-12)
- Setting:
- suburban
Prescott Valley, AZ
A proprietary institution, Northcentral University was founded in 1996.
- Tuition and fees:
- $6,120 (2011-12)
- Setting:
- urban
Cypress, CA
Trident University International is a proprietary institution. Trident University International admissions are considered selective.
- Tuition and fees:
- $14,190 (2011-12)
- Enrollment:
- 1,162
- Setting:
- urban
Cincinnati, OH
Union Institute and University is a private institution that was founded in 1964. The student-faculty ratio at Union Institute and University is 9:1.
- Tuition and fees:
- $18,525 (2011-12)
- Setting:
- urban
Phoenix, AZ
University of Phoenix was established as a proprietary institution. University of Phoenix admissions are considered selective.
- Tuition and fees:
- $12,810 (2011-12)
- Enrollment:
- 8,741
- Setting:
- urban
Minneapolis, MN
Walden University was founded as a proprietary institution.
- Tuition and fees:
- $9,470 (2011-12)
- Enrollment:
- 7,381
- Setting:
- suburban
New Castle, DE
Wilmington University has a total undergraduate enrollment of 7,381, with a gender distribution of 36.0 percent male students and 64.0 percent female students.
