The first big question you must ask yourself when you start the college search is, “What kind of college do I want to attend?” Higher education institutions come in all kinds of different structures and sizes. There are colleges and universities; public and private; and comprehensive, liberal arts, research, and specialized designations. Each type of school offers different levels of resources, campus communities, and learning values. If you’re looking for a large college with a wide variety of academic programs, an abundance of student resources, and a diverse campus community, a public or private comprehensive college may be the right choice for you. To get an idea of what this kind of school can offer, check out this list of comprehensive undergraduate colleges and universities in New England. If you like what you see, click the green “Connect Me” button to request more information from the school and get the college search ball rolling!
Dean College
Dean College is a private comprehensive college comprised of four academic schools in Franklin, Massachusetts—30 miles from both Boston and Providence. Students can choose from 28 bachelor’s programs—including Broadcasting, Biology, Dance, and Psychology—as well as associate degrees in 19 areas of study, including Criminal Justice, Early Childhood Education, Health Sciences, and Pre-nursing. Dean also offers its 1,200 students an average class size of 18, numerous merit scholarships, and more than 40 clubs and organizations to participate in.
Northeastern University
Northeastern University is a private comprehensive university in Boston, Massachusetts. Students can choose from 175 majors through seven undergraduate colleges, including interdisciplinary opportunities, combined majors, and accelerated degree options. More than 20,000 undergraduates benefit from a 14:1 student-faculty ratio, an average class size of 20, a community of students from 147 countries, 1,380 full-time faculty members, opportunities to work with respected scholars and researchers, and more.
Quinnipiac University
Quinnipiac University is a private comprehensive school with three campuses in Mount Carmel, Hamden, and North Haven, Connecticut. Quinnipiac’s 7,000 undergraduates benefit from 58 academic programs as well as 140 clubs, organizations, and intramural and club sports. The University also offers career advisement for each academic division and connects students with internships at more than 1,000 locations.
Rhode Island College
Rhode Island College is a public comprehensive university in a residential area of Providence, Rhode Island. The College serves more than 7,000 undergraduate and graduate students with 90+ majors and concentrations through five schools, including the Faculty of Arts & Sciences and the Schools of Education & Human Development, Business, Nursing, and Social Work. RIC students also have access to more than 70 student clubs and organizations as well as 1,600+ opportunities for internships, research, and study abroad.
Sacred Heart University
Sacred Heart University is a private comprehensive Roman Catholic college in Fairfield, Connecticut, with satellite campuses throughout the state and abroad in Ireland and Luxembourg. The University offers more than 80 academic programs, including popular undergraduate majors in Nursing, Marketing, Psychology, and more. SHU’s 5,200 full-time undergraduates also benefit from a 13:1 student-faculty ratio, more than 90 clubs and organizations, 14 sororities and fraternities, 32 Division I athletic teams, 29 club sports, and a central location between New York City and Boston for internship opportunities.
Southern Connecticut State University
Southern Connecticut State University is a public comprehensive university in New Haven, Connecticut—35 miles from Hartford, 90 miles from New York City, and 135 miles from Boston. The University offers 117 undergraduate and graduate programs, an 11:1 student-faculty ratio, unique research opportunities, and access to fascinating internships. SCSU’s nearly 9,000 students can also get involved in more than 170 clubs and organizations, 19 highly competitive NCAA Division II athletic teams, and more.
Southern New Hampshire University
Southern New Hampshire University is a private comprehensive institution on a 280-acre campus in Manchester, New Hampshire—50 miles north of Boston. Home to more than 2,700 daytime students, SNHU offers 70+ career-focused majors through the School of Arts, Sciences & Education; the School of Business; and the School of Engineering, Technology & Aeronautics. The University also offers popular online programs, new residence halls, Division II athletics, 20+ club and intramural sports, and over 70 student organizations.
Suffolk University
Suffolk University is a private comprehensive university with locations in the center of downtown Boston, Massachusetts, and abroad in Madrid, Spain. Suffolk offers more than 100 undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs of study as well as 100+ student organizations. Over 4,000 undergraduates benefit from world-class faculty members and cutting-edge classes, including the First-Year Seminar, Creativity and Innovation courses, Travel Seminars, and Business Foundations.
University of Connecticut
The University of Connecticut is a public comprehensive institution in Storrs, Connecticut—30 miles from Hartford. UConn offers more than 115 undergraduate majors across 10 schools and colleges spanning Agriculture & Natural Resources, Liberal Arts, Sciences, Business, Education, Engineering, Fine Arts, Nursing, and Pharmacy. Nearly 24,000 undergraduates are involved in more than 700 clubs and organizations, 21 Division I variety athletic teams, and opportunities to work with the University’s 1,616 faculty members.
University of Rhode Island
The University of Rhode Island is a public comprehensive institution in Kingston, Rhode Island—30 miles south of Providence. URI offers more than 90 undergraduate programs through the Colleges of Arts & Sciences, Business, Education & Professional Studies, Engineering, Environment & Life Sciences, Health Sciences, Nursing, Pharmacy, and more. Nearly 15,000 students benefit from a 16:1 student-faculty ratio, 300 student clubs and organizations, 18 NCAA Division I athletic teams, 30 intramural sports, and 17 club sports teams.
University of Vermont
The University of Vermont is a public comprehensive university in Burlington, Vermont—90 miles south of Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Students can choose from 100+ bachelor’s programs as well as over 200 clubs and organizations. UVM undergraduates also benefit from a student-faculty ratio of 16:1, an average class size of 32, more than 500 study abroad opportunities in 70 countries, and over 98% of classes taught by faculty members.
Vermont State University
Vermont State University is a public comprehensive university with campuses in Castleton, Johnson, Lyndon, Randolph, and Williston, Vermont. VSU students choose their paths from more than 105 rigorous, rewarding academic programs in areas like Applied Technology, Engineering, Health Care, Education, Business, Psychology, Climate Change Science, Computer Science, and the Arts. The University’s 1,000+ partnerships with businesses and organizations across the state and beyond provide students with real-world, hands-on experiences that prepare them to be the next generation of leaders.
Western Connecticut State University
Western Connecticut State University is a public comprehensive institution with two campuses in Danbury, Connecticut. Through the Schools of Business, Arts & Sciences, Professional Studies, and Visual & Performing Arts, the University offers 50 academic majors in a variety of fields. WCSU also supports its 4,000+ undergraduates by offering 75 student clubs and organizations; a strong honors program and helpful Career Success Center; tuition discounts for students from New England states, plus New York and New Jersey; and other opportunities for academic success.
Western New England University
Western New England University is a private comprehensive university in Springfield, Massachusetts—90 miles west of Boston. WNE offers its 2,500+ undergraduates the benefits of a 13:1 student-faculty ratio, over 50 academic majors and combined degree programs to choose from, and nearly 170 scholarship opportunities. From intramural sports and theater clubs to faith-based organizations and more, the University also has 70+ clubs and extracurriculars for students to explore and find their place on campus.
Worcester State University
Worcester State University is a public university in Worcester, Massachusetts—about 45 miles west of Boston. The University offers 50 majors and minors, including the “Major Plus” program framework that allows students to easily pursue a double major or major and minor combination while still completing their bachelor’s degree in four years. Nearly 5,500 undergraduates also benefit from a 17:1 student-faculty ratio, 21 honors societies, 60+ study abroad programs and partnerships, more than 30 clubs and organizations, and 20 NCAA Division III varsity athletic teams.
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