7 Fantastic Midwestern Universities

The Midwestern United States is a large and diverse region, containing everything from major cities to open prairie. This complex cultural and economic geography thus entails a range of different educational needs. In no particular order, this list surveys universities catering to the variety of populations that make their home in the American heartland.

For #1, we have Marquette University. This Jesuit school is located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and offers a comprehensive range of majors, such as anthropology, media studies, and business administration. Marquette’s honors program is designed for advanced students. Scholars finish their honors coursework through the core curriculum or their major.

The university has a number of opportunities for students to get involved in the community. The Center for Peacemaking fosters research and action for the promotion of social justice, human dignity, and peace. The Service Learning Program facilitates student academic experiences through volunteer work.

Coming in at #2, we present Northern Michigan University. A hallmark of the NMU experience is that full-time faculty members teach at all levels, from introductory classes through graduate courses. The campus features many facilities, including a university theater and a three-structure sports and recreation complex, which includes the Superior Dome.

Invent at NMU is the school's "idea incubator." After inventors and entrepreneurs bring ideas to the university, students and professional staff work closely with them step-by-step to craft the item or business concept and, when appropriate, help launch it.

At #3, we have Saint Mary's University of Minnesota. Founded in Winona in 1912, Saint Mary's is a private, Lasallian Catholic institution that offers undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs. Majors include computer science, literature, and mathematics education.

Saint Mary's offers academic programming for students interested in the performing arts, including theater, dance, and music. Through the theater department's study abroad program, students have the opportunity to take classes, attend performing arts events, travel, and perform in England.

The #4 entry is DePauw University, a liberal arts college in Greencastle, Indiana. The school offers over 100 clubs and organizations plus a continuous calendar of campus life activities for students to participate in. DePauw is a fully immersive academic and residential experience, meaning students learn and reside with each other during all four years of college.

The school's Greek life consists of several organizations, including fraternities, sororities and a National Greek Honor Society. DePauw is an NCAA Division III institution and offers many sports, including cross country, tennis, basketball, and lacrosse.

For #5, we have Indiana State University in Terre Haute. This public college offers over 100 majors for undergraduates and has a wide array of graduate programs as well. For working students or those who need more flexibility, the school also has remote learning opportunities that can be completed entirely online or with minimal on-campus visits.

The campus recreation center provides athletic facilities, programs, and services to engage the Indiana State University community through diverse recreational and wellness opportunities, such as swim lessons, group fitness classes and special training from the American Red Cross.

Coming in at #6 is the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, which among its many academic programs has schools of architecture, freshwater sciences, and public health. As a research university, UWM partners with companies in the state and beyond with the goal of advancing knowledge, bringing discoveries to market, and preparing students for work in a global economy.

UWM’s Klotsche Center offers group exercise classes, intramural and club sports, adventure excursions through its Outdoor Pursuits program, and more. The campus is located just blocks from Lake Michigan, is adjacent to the 11-acre Downer Woods, and is surrounded by more than 100 miles of bike paths.

Last but not least, at #7, we have the University of Iowa. Founded in 1847, it is the state's oldest institution of higher education and is located in Iowa City. The university's Campus Activities Board plans events for students throughout the year, including workout classes, karaoke, and craft nights.

The University of Iowa Writers' Workshop was the first creative writing degree program in the United States, and was founded in 1936. The program claims among its graduates winners of several major literary awards, including the Pulitzer Prize, the National Book Award, the MacArthur Foundation Fellowship, and more.