US News & World Report Ranks Michigan's Top Colleges
DETROIT (WWJ) - "U.S. News & World Report" released the 2012 edition of Best Colleges, with several Michigan schools making the cut.
The annual report provides the nation's most trusted rankings of colleges and universities that award undergraduate degrees. It is specifically designed to be straightforward, easy to use, and to supply the information that students need to make informed decisions about their education.
If you don't see a college or university below, that's because their rankings were not published in the report.
National University Rankings
Schools in the National Universities category offer a full range of undergraduate majors, master's, and doctoral degrees. These colleges also are committed to producing ground breaking research.
- #28 - University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
University of Michigan -- Ann Arbor admissions are considered most selective. U-M is a public institution that was founded in 1817. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 27,027, its setting is urban, and the campus size is 3,071 acres. It utilizes a trimester-based academic calendar. Its in-state tuition and fees are $12,590 (2011-12); out-of-state tuition and fees are $37,265 (2011-12).
- #71 - Michigan State University
Michigan State University offers a Greek system, where 7 percent of the student body is involved in a sorority and 8 percent is involved in a fraternity. MSU is a public institution that was founded in 1855. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 36,058, its setting is suburban, and the campus size is 5,192 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. Its in-state tuition and fees are $12,203 (2011-12); out-of-state tuition and fees are $31,148 (2011-12).
- #115 - Michigan Technological University (tied with 3 other schools)
The Michigan Technological University campus is located in the small town of Houghton, where students have many opportunities to conduct research. Michigan Tech is a public institution that was founded in 1885. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 5,720, its setting is rural, and the campus size is 925 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. Its in-state tuition and fees are $12,853 (2011-12); out-of-state tuition and fees are $25,948 (2011-12).
- #181 - Western Michigan University (tied with 8 other schools)
Located in Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University offers more than 300 student organizations, nearly 30 fraternities and sororities, and many Division I sports. WMU is a public institution that was founded in 1903. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 19,966, its setting is urban, and the campus size is 1,200 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. Its in-state tuition and fees are $9,606 (2011-12); out-of-state tuition and fees are $22,338 (2011-12).
National Liberal Arts College Rankings
Among the National Liberal Arts Colleges are schools like Washington and Lee University and Davidson College, which emphasize undergraduate education and award at least half of their degrees in the liberal arts fields of study.
- #68 - Kalamazoo College (tied with 2 other schools)
Kalamazoo College is a private liberal arts school in southwest Michigan where students can join more than 80 campus clubs. KC is a private institution that was founded in 1833. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 1,369, its setting is urban, and the campus size is 60 acres. It utilizes a trimester-based academic calendar. Its tuition and fees are $35,920 (2011-12).
- #94 - Hope College (tied with 4 other schools)
Located in Holland, Hope College is a private school that offers about 80 bachelor's degree programs. HC is a private institution that was founded in 1866. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 3,202, its setting is urban, and the campus size is 120 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. Its tuition and fees are $27,020 (2011-12).
- #102 - Albion College (tied with 7 other schools)
At Albion College, 89 percent of the students live in college-owned, -operated, or -affiliated housing and 11 percent of students live off campus. AC is a private institution that was founded in 1835. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 1,602, its setting is suburban, and the campus size is 574 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. Its tuition and fees are $32,662 (2011-12).
- #102 - Calvin College (tied with 7 other schools)
Calvin College, located in Grand Rapids, has an admission strategy considered more selective. CC is a private institution that was founded in 1876. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 3,921, its setting is suburban, and the campus size is 400 acres. It utilizes a 4-1-4-based academic calendar. Its tuition and fees are $25,565 (2011-12).
- #133 - Alma College (tied with 6 other schools)
Alma College's admissions are considered more selective. AC is a private institution that was founded in 1886. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 1,422, its setting is suburban, and the campus size is 125 acres. It utilizes a other-based academic calendar. Its tuition and fees are $29,230 (2011-12).
Regional College-Midwest Rankings
These schools focus on undergraduate education but grant fewer than half their degrees in liberal arts disciplines.
- #20 - Adrian College (tied with 3 other schools)
At Adrian College, 84 percent of the students live in college-owned, -operated, or -affiliated housing and 16 percent of students live off campus. AC is a private institution that was founded in 1859. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 1,670, its setting is urban, and the campus size is 100 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. Its tuition and fees are $27,440 (2011-12).
- #58 - Olivet College (tied with 1 other school)
Olivet College's admissions are considered selective. OC is a private institution that was founded in 1844. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 1,124, its setting is rural, and the campus size is 56 acres. It utilizes a other-based academic calendar. Its tuition and fees are $21,092 (2011-12).
- #69 - Concordia University
Concordia University's admissions are considered less selective. CU is a private institution that was founded in 1962. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 450, its setting is suburban, and the campus size is 187 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. Its tuition and fees are $21,600 (2011-12).
- #70 - Lake Superior State University (tied with 1 other school)
Lake Superior State University has 49 percent of its classes with fewer than 20 students and a student-faculty ratio of 17:1. LSSU is a public institution that was founded in 1946. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 2,588 and its setting is rural. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. Its in-state tuition and fees are $9,364 (2011-12); out-of-state tuition and fees are $14,996 (2011-12).
Regional University-Midwest Rankings
Regional Universities offer a full range of undergrad programs and some master's programs but few doctoral programs.
- #16 - Kettering University (tied with 2 other schools)
Located in Flint, Kettering University's admissions are considered more selective. KU is a private institution that was founded in 1919. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 1,844, its setting is urban, and the campus size is 85 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. Its tuition and fees are $29,988 (2011-12).
- #23 - University of Detroit Mercy (tied with 1 other school)
The University of Detroit Mercy is a Catholic school that emphasizes community outreach. The Detroit Titans compete in the NCAA Division I Horizon League. UDM is a private institution that was founded in 1877. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 3,065 and its setting is urban. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. Its tuition and fees are $32,500 (2011-12).
- #34 - University of Michigan-Dearborn
University of Michigan -- Dearborn is home to the Henry Ford Estate. U-MD is a public institution that was founded in 1959. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 7,006, its setting is suburban, and the campus size is 196 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. Its in-state tuition and fees are $10,141 (2011-12); out-of-state tuition and fees are $22,119 (2011-12).
- #37 - Grand Valley State University (tied with 2 other schools)
Grand Valley State University has 24 percent of its classes with fewer than 20 students and a student-faculty ratio of 17:1. GVSU is a public institution that was founded in 1960. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 20,986, its setting is suburban, and the campus size is 1,112 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. Its in-state tuition and fees are $9,716 (2011-12); out-of-state tuition and fees are $14,030 (2011-12).
- #44 - Lawrence Technological University (tied with 5 other schools)
At Lawrence Technological University, 15 percent of the students live in college-owned, -operated, or -affiliated housing and 85 percent of students live off campus. LTU is a private institution that was founded in 1932. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 3,188, its setting is suburban, and the campus size is 102 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. Its tuition and fees are $26,278 (2011-12).
- #53 - Aquinas College (tied with 4 other schools)
At Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, 47 percent of the students live in college-owned, -operated, or -affiliated housing and 53 percent of students live off campus. AC is a private institution that was founded in 1886. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 1,953, its setting is urban, and the campus size is 107 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. Its tuition and fees are $24,286 (2011-12).
- #64 - Spring Arbor University (tied with 1 other school)
Spring Arbor University's admissions are considered selective. SAU is a private institution that was founded in 1873. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 3,001, its setting is rural, and the campus size is 100 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. Its tuition and fees are $21,520 (2011-12).
- #72 - Ferris State University (tied with 5 other schools)
Ferris State University offers bachelor's degrees in arts, integrative studies, science, and social work. FSU is a public institution that was founded in 1884. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 13,134, its setting is rural, and the campus size is 880 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. Its in-state tuition and fees are $9,934 (2011-12); out-of-state tuition and fees are $16,932 (2011-12).
- #72 - Northern Michigan University (tied with 5 other schools)
At Northern Michigan University, each student receives a laptop upon paying tuition. NMU is a public institution that was founded in 1899. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 8,639, its setting is urban, and the campus size is 350 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. Its in-state tuition and fees are $7,864 (2011-12); out-of-state tuition and fees are $12,280 (2011-12).
- #81 - Eastern Michigan University (tied with 6 other schools)
Eastern Michigan University offers more than 200 majors, including graduate programs in business, education, and health. Students can join more than 300 campus organizations and play Division I sports. EMU is a public institution that was founded in 1849. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 18,529, its setting is urban, and the campus size is 460 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. Its in-state tuition and fees are $7,616 (2011-12); out-of-state tuition and fees are $20,511 (2011-12).
- #81 - University of Michigan-Flint (tied with 6 other schools)
University of Michigan -- Flint offers a Greek system, where 9.1 percent of the student body is involved in a sorority and 8.8 percent is involved in a fraternity. U-MF is a public institution that was founded in 1956. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 6,874, its setting is urban, and the campus size is 73 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. Its in-state tuition and fees are $9,184 (2011-12); out-of-state tuition and fees are $17,536 (2011-12).
- #96 - Madonna University (tied with 1 other school)
Madonna University is a Catholic university where students receive a quality liberal arts education combined with career preparation and public service. MU is a private institution that was founded in 1947. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 3,252, its setting is suburban, and the campus size is 49 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. Its tuition and fees are $14,700 (2011-12).
To view the entire 2012 Best Colleges list, visit www.usnews.com/education.
