Public comprehensive colleges and universities have a lot to offer, including a variety of academic programs, expansive campus communities, affordable tuition rates, and seemingly endless resources to help students succeed in and out of the classroom. If this type of learning environment sounds right up your alley, then consider adding the following public comprehensive colleges in the Midwest to your list. You can request more information from the ones that sound interesting by clicking the green “Connect me” buttons below. Your future academic home may be right here, even if you haven’t heard its name before!
Bemidji State University
Bemidji State University is a public multipurpose university in Bemidji, Minnesota—nestled among the three largest Native American nations in the state. The University offers more than 60 majors, 70+ minors, and 15 pre-professional programs to its 4,000+ undergraduate students—all at the same affordable tuition price for every student. From paddleboarding and kayaking on the lake to yoga classes in the park and cross-country running, BSU’s gorgeous location offers all the benefits of living on Lake Bemidji.
Fort Hays State University
Fort Hays State University is a public comprehensive university of the liberal and applied arts with a 200-acre campus located in Hays, Kansas—about 60 miles from the city of Great Bend. FHSU offers more than 70 majors through the Colleges of Arts & Sciences, Business, Education, and Health & Life Sciences to more than 14,000 students—including around 6,000 online learners and over 3,800 living on campus. Students also benefit from 300 intramural activities, 120 student groups and organizations, and a 3,825-acre University farm.
Northeastern Illinois University
Northeastern Illinois University is a public comprehensive university with a 67-acre campus located eight miles from downtown Chicago, Illinois. NEIU is home to more than 4,600 undergrads and over 70 undergraduate and graduate programs in the Arts & Sciences, Education, and Business, with popular majors in Computer Science, Psychology, Social Work, and more. In addition to a lively arts community, there are more than 100 student organizations on campus, including sororities, fraternities, major-specific clubs, 25+ team and club sports, fitness classes, and opportunities for outdoor adventure.
Purdue University Northwest
Purdue University Northwest is a public comprehensive institution with two campuses located in Hammond and Westville, Indiana. PNW offers 70+ areas of study to approximately 8,900 students through the Colleges of Business; Engineering & Sciences; Humanities, Education & Social Science; Nursing; and Technology as well as the Schools of Education & Counseling, Engineering, and Hospitality & Tourism Management. The University also offers 80+ student organizations, intramural sports teams, Student Government and Programming boards, and fun campus traditions like a pancake study break during final exams.
Saginaw Valley State University
Saginaw Valley State University is a public comprehensive institution on a 782-acre campus in University Center, Michigan—35 miles north of Flint. SVSU invites its 6,400+ undergraduates to choose from 70 majors in Arts & Behavioral Sciences, Business, Education, Health & Human Services, and Science, Engineering & Technology. The University’s students also benefit from more than 200 student organizations, 16 NCAA Division II athletic teams, Greek life, intramural sports, an Honors Program, undergraduate research opportunities, and more.
University of Northern Iowa
The University of Northern Iowa is a public comprehensive institution in Cedar Falls, Iowa—seven miles from Waterloo. More than 9,200 total students pursue over 160 majors, minors, areas of emphasis, and pre-professional programs through the Colleges of Business; Education; Humanities, Arts & Sciences; and Social & Behavioral Sciences as well as the Graduate College. UNI students can also participate in 250+ organizations and work closely with expert faculty to select classes, find internship opportunities, and conduct research as early as freshman year.
Western Kentucky University
Western Kentucky University is a public comprehensive institution with a 200-acre main campus and 785-acre university farm located in Bowling Green, Kentucky—65 miles north of Nashville, Tennessee. At WKU, more than 17,500 students pursue 200+ academic programs, including 94 undergraduate majors, 75 minors, six associate degrees, 69 certificate programs, 48 master's degree programs, and a number of professional and pre-professional advising tracks. Students also enjoy more than 350 registered student organizations, including campus ministries, departmental clubs, Greek life, intramurals, professional groups, and service opportunities.
Wright State University
Wright State University is a public comprehensive university in Dayton, Ohio. Wright State offers 340 undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, and professional academic programs—including strong programs in Engineering, Business Administration, and Nursing—through five colleges and two schools to a student body of over 11,000. Through the Wright Guarantee Tuition Program, the rate students pay for in-state tuition, housing, and dining will remain the same for four years, reducing their college debt.
Your college search doesn’t have to end here. Check out our entire collection of featured college lists to connect with even more schools based on major, location, type, and other criteria!
