These midwest regional gems represent some of the finest colleges in America that are often overlooked. Students at each one of these schools cherish their experiences and exit their academic institutions with well-defined skills in their department, strong networking connections, and invaluable memories. Most of these schools represent small liberal arts colleges, some of which are focused in large part around the Christian religion, while others are more strongly tied to social justice. No matter a students background, any one of these hidden midwest gems will provide a supportive and welcoming educational environment.
Methodology:
These schools were chosen using highly respected journalistic and statistics-based resources. The colleges and universities were selected according to the OnlineSchoolsCenter.com research/writer’s determination of quality, as well as to specific considerations:
- Exemplary student satisfaction and success rates, including acceptance, retention, graduation, and job placement rates for each school;
- Qualities that set the institution apart from others throughout the state and country, such as fabulous experiential learning opportunities, small class sizes, collaborative research projects, and an outstanding campus;
- Appropriate recognition and acknowledgment among accrediting and other resources;
- A low, yet competitive, student enrollment and small class sizes;
- Expert faculty members with whom students have excellent contact;
- A generous amount of high-quality degree programs;
- And a history of excellence in academia.
WHEATON COLLEGE
Wheaton, illinois
This small school in the northeast corner of Illinois is located in the lovely little town of Wheaton and is a forty-minute drive from Chicago. Class sizes provide an 11:1 student-to-teacher ratio, and students form strong relationships with professors and classmates. This midwestern institution of higher education offers over forty undergraduate degrees and eighteen graduate programs. It’s primary focus areas are those in the sciences and liberal arts. Wheaton College is a Christian school deeply rooted in biblical principles. It supports a nurturing Christian educational community centered strongly around faith and academia.
Why Is It A Hidden Gem?
Founded in 1860, Wheaton College is one of the most historical schools in the whole United States of America. While there are only a few physical examples left on campus, students can absolutely find evidence of this outstanding school’s role as a stop on the Underground Railroad–Wheaton played a considerable role in the Abolitionist Movement. Today, it remains a fabulously successful school with outstanding retention, graduation, and job placement rates. Many other remnants of the original campus remain, such as the state-of-the-art gymnasium that was first built between 1882-19265, a cutting-edge observatory, and a fascinating Archaeology Museum that houses ancient artifacts and fossils.
Total Enrollment: 2,850
Most Popular Majors:
- Communications
- Managerial Economics
- Health Service Preparatory Studies
Acceptance Rate: 83% Retention Rate: 92% Graduation Rate: 91% Job Placement Rate: 91%
LEARN MORE ABOUT ILLINOIS’ HIDDEN GEM: WHEATON COLLEGE
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ILLINOIS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
chicago, illinois
Located in a bustling metropolis and replete with both academic and professional opportunities, the Illinois Institute of Technology is an incredibly underrated school for technical higher education. With a student body of fewer than 8,000 undergrads and post-grads, IIT is a comparatively small school compared to other IT colleges and universities throughout the country. It provides research-based, intensive, and technology-focused degrees in science, engineering, architecture, design, business, human sciences, law, and applied technology. There are a vast number of bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs available in all of these subjects, many of which can be taken 100% online.
Why Is It A Hidden Gem?
This wonderful Midwestern Hidden Gem is firmly committed to providing a heavily experienced-based education. Illinois Tech is one of only twenty other institutions that make up the Association of Independent Technological Universities. It provides a one-of-a-kind academic opportunities through the Interprofessional Projects Program (IRPO) that pairs students with real-world experts in their discipline. The IRPO establishes unique opportunities for students of different majors to collaborate, analyze, and create real-world solutions to current national and global issues. Another example among many that make ITT a hidden gem is the Idea Shop. This facility has state-of-the-art resources and tools such as 3D printers, CNC milling machines, and vacuum formers, to help students throughout any research endeavor!
Total Enrollment: 7,792
Most Popular Majors:
- Architecture
- Computer Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
Acceptance Rate: 58% Retention Rate: 86% Graduation Rate: 71% Job Placement Rate: 86%
LEARN MORE ABOUT ILLINOIS’ HIDDEN GEM: THE ILLINOIS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
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WABASH COLLEGE
CRAWFORDSVILLE, INDIANA
Established in 1832, Wabash College is one of America’s oldest educational institutions. It has trained some of the country’s finest lawyers, doctors, teachers, entrepreneurs, business leaders, and scientists. Students can choose from twenty-five exciting majors and nine minors, all of which span a wide range of choices. It maintains an absolutely phenomenal job placement rate of nearly 100%, and graduates have gone on to work at highly successful international corporations, such as Goldman Sachs, Netflix, and Microsoft. Many others are accepted into prominent graduate programs in schools such as Duke University, Stanford University, and Columbia University in the City of New York.
Why Is It A Hidden Gem?
Wabash is an incredibly beautiful school that supports a small academic community of well under 1,000 students. The historic college’s red-brick academic and administrative buildings and dormitories, many of which are leftover from the 19th century, are hidden among lush greenery on a gorgeous campus. Of course, there are indeed numerous modern facilities at Wabash, as well, for example, the $2,000,000 Malcolm X Institute for Black Studies or the $30,000,000 Biology and Chemistry Departments. One word that generations of students have used to describe their beloved alma mater is “perfect,” which concisely sums up the very nature of Wabash College: perfection.
Total Enrollment: 867
Most Popular Majors:
- Biology
- Economics
- Political Science and Government
Acceptance Rate: 65% Retention Rate: 87% Graduation Rate: 72% Job Placement Rate: 99.5%
LEARN MORE ABOUT INDIANA’S HIDDEN GEM: WABASH COLLEGE
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DEPAUW UNIVERSITY
GREENCASTLE, INDIANA
DePauw University attracts driven, innovative, multi-talented individuals and supplies a massive amount of opportunities to expand knowledge and experiences, no matter an individual student’s major or focus. DePauw strongly emphasizes experiential learning opportunities. While many schools may give students one chance to do so, DePauw encourages students to participate in two or more internships! Over 30% of the student body participates in exciting outside learning programs, collaborative adventures, and real-world experiences. According to the school website, DePauw is #4 in the United States for students studying abroad. Its academic programs are highly successful, and many departments, such as Information Technology, supports a perfect job placement rate of 100% for all graduates.
Why Is It A Hidden Gem?
DePauw University is one of the most impressive Hidden Gems of the Midwest and the entire rest of the country. It is in the top ten among all American colleges and universities for schools producing Fulbright Scholars and business administration executives. It maintains a promise called “The Gold Commitment” to its students, ensuring that they will have global opportunities, a distinctive education, and a lucrative employment position upon exiting their program of choice. DePauw is a fabulously wealthy school with an annual budget of $155,000,000 and an endowment of $750,000,000, which means that students can rest assured that they are taking advantage of the highest quality academic resources available to any undergraduate or post-graduate student in the nation.
Total Enrollment: 2,161
Most Popular Majors:
- Communications
- Computer Science
- Professional and Technical Writing
Acceptance Rate: 63% Retention Rate: 89% Graduation Rate: 85% Job Placement Rate: 94%
LEARN MORE ABOUT INDIANA’S HIDDEN GEM: DEPAUW UNIVERSITY
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GRINNELL COLLEGE
GRINELL, IOWA
Grinnell College is a small Iowan school with a 9:1 student-to-teacher ratio, where most classes have fewer than twenty students. There are twenty-seven major disciplines and sixteen concentrations available. The school encourages students to forge independent pathways to attain their degrees rather than follow a predetermined array of coursework. All curricula at Grinnell emphasize learning inside and outside of the classroom. Students are guaranteed to gain invaluable educational experiences in exciting environments and with real-world experts. Grinnell students, or Grinnellians, report an extreme level of satisfaction with their educations, which can be seen quite obviously in the school’s outstanding retention rate and competitive acceptance rate.
Why Is It A Hidden Gem?
While it is most definitely an off-the-radar institution, Grinnell is well-decorated in excellent rankings and awards from well-respected journalistic resources such as the U.S. News and World Report, the Princeton Review, and Kiplinger. It is designated as one of the best liberal arts colleges in the entire country that also retains some of the best instructors. As stated above, this college is remarkably dedicated to providing students with an experiential-based approach to their higher education. It offers a staggering 3,000 different internship opportunities that students across the entire globe. It is also replete with over 500 free workshops, lectures, symposia, and performances every year, as well as more than 150 student organizations. With a massive $2,000,000,000 endowment, Grinnell College can fully support each individual student’s pursuits.
Total Enrollment: 1,655
Most Popular Majors:
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
- Economics
- Research and Experimental Psychology
Acceptance Rate: 24% Retention Rate: 92% Graduation Rate: 86% Job Placement Rate: 60%
LEARN MORE ABOUT IOWA’S HIDDEN GEM: GRINNELL COLLEGE
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LUTHER COLLEGE
DECORAH, IOWA
Founded by Norwegian immigrants of the Lutheran Church, Luther College offers over sixty majors and operates under a learning philosophy that connects various disciplines. It is a part of a group, Phi Beta Kappa, representing only 10% of colleges and universities in the United States. As such, Luther regularly produces outstanding, award-winning graduates such as Fulbright Scholars, Rhoads Scholars, and NCAA Postgrads. In collaboration with peers and professors, students act as vital counterparts during in-depth research projects, many of which have real-world impacts in their area of study. While the school has kept it’s connections to the Lutheran sect of Christianity, it embraces and welcomes students of all faiths, groups, and religious following.
Why Is It A Hidden Gem?
Luther College is one of those schools where courses and majors are small enough that faculty will often invite students to their homes for class over dinner. It is a profoundly compassionate academic community that is not just an institution of higher education, but a second home for many. Luther emphasizes studying outside of the classroom and offers an amazing series of internships, externships, collaborative research projects, and study-away experiences. Every year over 400 students travel abroad to more than 40 countries across the globe. Luther also is one of the few schools in the U.S. (and only one of two colleges on this catalog) to offer a January Term. During this one-class period, students can take on a fascinating and exciting area of study, learn away from campus, and much more!
Total Enrollment: 2,337
Most Popular Majors:
- Biology
- Business
- Music History and Literature
Acceptance Rate: 63% Retention Rate: 84% Graduation Rate: 79% Job Placement Rate: 98%
LEARN MORE ABOUT IOWA’S HIDDEN GEM: LUTHER COLLEGE
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BAKER UNIVERSITY
baldwin city, kansas
Baker University operates four schools within its walls, including the College of Arts and Sciences, the School of Professional and Graduate Studies, the School of Nursing, and the School of Education. These departments offer a huge amount of various undergraduate and post-graduate majors that span a wide range of topics. The curricula emphasize extensive interaction between students and professors as they address the global population’s social, civic, environmental, and health needs. Baker was founded in 1858 and was the first university in the state of Kansas. It is closely associated with the United Methodist Church, as it has been since it’s establishment as a Christian institution of higher education over 160 years ago.
Why Is It A Hidden Gem?
Baker University has an incredibly storied past. The campus itself has three academic buildings on the National Register of Historic Places. It has been commended and visited by numerous prominent historical figures. These include examples such as Lady Margaret Thatcher, who dedicated BU”s Osborne Chapel (which was entirely relocated from Sproxton, England), Abraham Lincoln, who contributed to the construction of Parmenter Hall, and President Taft, who delivered the first speech on world peace at Baker. The luscious campus is both a Tree Campus USA award-winner and a registered arboretum, making it easily one of the most beautiful schools in America. This is most definitely not the first time that Baker University has been categorized as a Hidden Gem of the Midwest.
Total Enrollment: 2,879
Most Popular Majors:
- Business
- Nursing
- Kinesiology and Exercise Science
Acceptance Rate: 88% Retention Rate: 81% Graduation Rate: 63% Job Placement Rate: 94%
LEARN MORE ABOUT KANSAS’ HIDDEN GEM: BAKER UNIVERSITY
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CLOUD COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE
concordia, kansas
Cloud County Community College is an excellent school that offers numerous hybrid and fully online degree programs using a state-of-the-art distance learning platform. The vast majority of students, both past and present, say that CCCC is a fabulous institution with outstanding facilities where the professors are passionate in the instruction of their disciplines. Many individuals attending this hidden gem choose to attend school in the hybrid format with some of the courses completed online and others on campus. CCCC serves the educational needs of twelve counties and has twenty-eight different sites and locations. Some of the strongest academics include those in health care studies, such as nursing, the EMT program, and health aides and attendants certificates.
Why Is It A Hidden Gem?
Cloud County CC provides some exciting opportunities that aren’t nearly as readily available at other campuses throughout the Midwestern United States, such as the CCCC Wind Farm and the subsequent Cloud Wind Energy Technology program. Students in this program get on-site laboratory training as well as experience in climbing, rope rescue, and turbine maintenance. This distinction makes Cloud one of the greenest colleges in America, which is exciting for a great many students. The school’s strategic plan is entirely student-focused and there are innumerable benefits to assist anyone along their educational journey, such as the Cloud Wellness Program and the Children’s Center.
Total Enrollment: 1,839
Most Popular Majors:
- Liberal Arts and Humanities
- Nursing Assistant
- Mechanics and Repair
Acceptance Rate: 100% Retention Rate: 62% Graduation Rate: 48.6% Job Placement Rate: –%
LEARN MORE ABOUT KANSAS’ HIDDEN GEM: CLOUD COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE
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KALAMAZOO COLLEGE
KALAMAZOO, MICHIGAN
While this Michigan college is relatively small compared to other popular educational institutions throughout the state, it is extremely diverse and deeply historical. Established in the mid-1800s, it is one of the 100 oldest colleges in the United States. It attracts applicants from across the nation and currently supports learners from thirty-three different countries. Among its student body, Kalamazoo College emphasizes civic engagement and life experiences outside the U.S. It is a strong, internationally oriented school with a distinctive, integrated approach to higher education delivery. Kalamazoo provides thirty majors, twenty-two minors, five specialty programs, and thirteen concentration options, all of which span eight academic departments.
Why Is It A Hidden Gem?
Kalamazoo College utilizes an academic strategy held in very high esteem by other colleges and universities for its success and far-reaching nature. Under the K-Plan, students engage in an Open Curriculum that does not require general education credits but rather allows individuals to create their own plan of action. This customized experience supplies more opportunities than other schools to double or even triple major in areas of interest. The K-Plan also has students engage in an international and intercultural learning opportunity through a study abroad program, of which there are an impressive fifty-six options in twenty-nine countries. Kalamazoo also emphasizes a hands-on education that culminates in an individualized senior thesis project.
Total Enrollment: 1,491
Most Popular Majors:
- Biology
- Business
- Psychology
Acceptance Rate: 73% Retention Rate: 91% Graduation Rate: 81% Job Placement Rate: 92%
LEARN MORE ABOUT MICHIGAN’S HIDDEN GEM: KALAMAZOO COLLEGE
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LAWRENCE TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY
southfield, michigan
There are over 100 academic programs at Lawrence Technological University. Options include numerous undergraduate and pre-professional degrees and minors in a wide range of science, mechanics, and architecture disciplines. Lawrence Tech Online provides additional distance education degrees in business and information technology. The virtual programs only offer opportunities in graduate education; however, there are individual undergraduate courses available online, too. As such, many bachelor’s students choose to complete their coursework in a hybrid-style format. The school as a whole attracts passionate, driven, and highly determined students, most of whom report fabulous experiences at LTU.
Why Is It A Hidden Gem?
Lawrence Technological University was founded during one of the most pivotal time periods of innovation in the history of the United States. After Edsel and Henry Ford’s creation and launch of the Model T in 1932, LTU was founded in the brothers’ former automobile assembly plant. Today, it is a phenomenal technical education institution with immensely popular engineering programs, mainly mechanical engineering, which is the most majored-in discipline at the school. Lawrence Tech is extraordinarily well-recognized by U.S. News and World Report, Forbes, Payscale, and The Princeton Review. It is one of the finest college in the Midwest, the best for undergraduate degrees in engineering, and is one of “America’s top colleges.”
Total Enrollment: 4,154
Most Popular Majors:
- Architecture
- Electrical Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
Acceptance Rate: 78% Retention Rate: 81% Graduation Rate: 51% Job Placement Rate: 86%
LEARN MORE ABOUT MICHIGAN’S HIDDEN GEM: LAWRENCE TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY
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GUSTAVUS ADOLPHUS COLLEGE
st. peter, minnesota
Gustavus Adolphus College is a highly competitive school that offers immensely popular undergraduate degrees in fine arts. All together, the institution has seventy-two majors available throughout twenty-five different academic departments. All programs follow a unique structure known as the Triple Crowns Curriculum. The three crowns are connections, ideas, and values and apply specifically to the general education requirements for lower classmen. No matter the approach, all curricula emphasize these core values. Gustavus strongly reinforces collaboration between academic departments and various
Why Is It A Hidden Gem?
Affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Gustavus Adolphus College was founded in 1862 and maintains strong Christian roots and a Swedish heritage. Over its more than 150 years in academia, this school has educated outstanding individuals who have gone on to become Fulbright Scholars, winners of the National Science Foundation Award, NCAA Postgraduate fellows, and other impressive titles. Located on a pristinely manicured 340-acre campus dotted with twenty-five original Paul Granuland bronzeworks, Gustavus Adolphus operates twenty-one academic buildings, fourteen residence halls, a beautiful chapel, the Hillstrom Museum of Art, and much more. The school provides a rich and collaborative atmosphere, and students can join any number of the 120 organizations and special interests groups at GAC.
Total Enrollment: 2,450
Most Popular Majors:
- Biology
- Business
- Psychology
Acceptance Rate: 66% Retention Rate: 87% Graduation Rate: 81% Job Placement Rate: –%
LEARN MORE ABOUT MINNESOTA’S HIDDEN GEM: GUSTAVUS ADOLPHUS COLLEGE
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MACALESTER COLLEGE
saint paul, Minnesota
Macalester College is an excellent small liberal arts school that offers highly popular STEM and business degrees. Located in the Twin Cities, the school provides outstanding internship opportunities in a metropolis home to the headquarters of sixteen Fortune 500 companies. The campus is extraordinarily diverse and attracts students from all across the world. The student body represents individuals from every state as well as ninety-eight countries. The Macalester curricula include more than 800 courses every year in sixty-four areas of study. Students learn from nationally renowned faculty members who have gained extensive notability for their contributions to academia. With a 10:1 student-to-teacher ratio in each class, individuals create long-lasting relationships with their professors who are a dedicated support system throughout the future.
Why Is It A Hidden Gem?
Given its proximity to the major cities of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, the Twin Cities, Macalester students have far more opportunities outside of the classroom than the average Midwestern college student. The various bachelor’s degrees align undergrads with influential corporations, companies, and agencies, as do the more than 100 student clubs and organizations. Seventeen different departments maintain partnerships with local businesses and organizations. Macalester strongly emphasizes real-world experiences and community-based learning. There are a multitude of study abroad and internship opportunities, and the International Student Programs helps integrate a more robust learning community through multicultural events, retreats, workshops, and programs.
Total Enrollment: 2,098
Most Popular Majors:
- Biology
- Economics
- Mathematics
Acceptance Rate: 41% Retention Rate: 96% Graduation Rate: 88% Job Placement Rate: 96%
LEARN MORE ABOUT MINNESOTA’S HIDDEN GEM: MACALASTER COLLEGE
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COLLEGE OF THE OZARKS
POINT LOOKOUT, MISSOURI
Founded initially as a junior college under the Presbyterian Church in 1956, the College of the Ozarks became an undergraduate institution ten years later. Currently, this school operates a Kindergarten-College format where individuals can complete their entire academic career, from infancy to adulthood. C of O has over fifty degree programs, all of which emphasize vocational, Christian, cultural and patriotic goals. It is a competitive school that is highly sought after by applicants across the entire country. This impressive college is well-known for its achievements in academia, and its innovation, value, location, and teaching ethics. Students can expect to have visits from preeminent scholars, military officials, and politicians throughout any academic year. Some past visitors include Margaret Thatcher, George W. Bush Jr., and Colin Powell.
Why Is It A Hidden Gem?
The College of the Ozarks has some of the most excellent financial aid and student employment opportunities in America, many of which result in a $0 tuition rate for some students! It is firmly committed to providing a top-tier education at no expense to those who display the discipline to make the country a better place. As a staunchly American institution of higher education, C of O maintains exciting opportunities geared toward patriotism, such as the Patriotic Travel program that takes students overseas to visit World War II sites. There are also experience courses available that take students to foreign countries for more focused and in-depth studies. On campus, students delight in academic buildings, residential halls, and cafeterias that receive ongoing national recognition for excellence.
Total Enrollment: 1,508
Most Popular Majors:
- Agricultural Business
- Animal Sciences and Husbandry
- Business
Acceptance Rate: 12% Retention Rate: 75% Graduation Rate: 66% Job Placement Rate: 93%
LEARN MORE ABOUT MISSOURI’S HIDDEN GEM: THE COLLEGE OF THE OZARKS
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ROCKHURST UNIVERSITY
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI
Rockhurst University is one of the country’s only Jesuit Catholic schools that has been devout in faith and academia for more than 100 years. There are only twenty-seven universities in America that are aligned with this particular sect of Christianity. However, only about half of the student body are practicing Catholics, and the campus is home to a diverse crowd of denominations. The Rockhurst curriculum is tied to the seven classic liberal arts pursuits, including historical, artistic, philosophical, literary, and theological concepts, as well as the scientific casual and scientific relational. That said, the coursework is incredibly in-depth and strives to utilize all of the perceptive powers in each student. The bulk of the degrees are undergraduate, with massively popular majors in nursing and business. There are also three master’s degrees and one doctoral program in the health care field.
Why Is It A Hidden Gem?
When it comes to the reasons that make Rockhurst University a Midwestern Hidden Gem, one needs only to look at remarks made by current students and alumni. This educational institution attracts easy-going, yet hardworking and serious, individuals who engage in an exciting campus life experience. Rockhurst’s atmosphere is firmly service-oriented, and students contribute to a warm and nurturing community of helpers. Despite the school’s Jesuit Catholic heritage, students of all faiths feel welcome within its walls. The academia has been repeatedly praised by Intel, the Carnegie Foundation, and U.S. News and World Report. The business degrees offered through the prestigious Helzberg School of Management, in particular, represent some of the best undergraduate and graduate degrees of this kind in the entire Midwest.
Total Enrollment: 2,980
Most Popular Majors:
- Biology
- Business
- Nursing
Acceptance Rate: 66% Retention Rate: 86% Graduation Rate: 71% Job Placement Rate: 97%
LEARN MORE ABOUT MISSOURI’S HIDDEN GEM: ROCKHURST UNIVERSITY
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NEBRASKA WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY
LINCOLN, NEBRASKA
Nebraska Wesleyan University was founded by members of the United Methodist Church, and the institution maintains its foundation to this day. The degree programs retain the Judeo Christian principles of integrating value and meaning in the pursuit of education. As such, coursework incorporates lessons in communication, broadening cultural perspectives, and developing spiritually, emotionally, and intellectually. The Archway Curriculum integrates learning inside and outside of the classroom while establishing fundamental skills and critical thinking. There are more than 100 different majors available at NWU, as well as four exciting adult undergraduate programs that are specifically designed for working professionals.
Why Is It A Hidden Gem?
This small liberal arts school tucked away among the trees in Lincoln, Nebraska, is the alma mater of twenty Fulbright Scholars, six Harry S. Truman scholarship award winners for public service, as well as many other prestigious scholarship recipients, and is ranked seventh nationally in the Academic All-America Awards. In fact, Nebraska Wesleyan University is an excellent choice for students receiving financial aid, as over 98% of individuals are supported by the school financially. $15,000,000 in aid is distributed annually. The campus provides an atmosphere of drive and passion where highly intelligent, outgoing, and respectful students make up a powerful student body.
Total Enrollment: 2,095
Most Popular Majors:
- Biology
- Business
- Nursing
Acceptance Rate: 72% Retention Rate: 83% Graduation Rate: 70% Job Placement Rate: 95%
LEARN MORE ABOUT NEBRASKA’S HIDDEN GEM: NEBRASKA WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY
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NEBRASKA COLLEGE OF TECHNICAL AGRICULTURE
curtis, nebraska
With an annual enrollment of about 300 students on average, the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture is one of the nation’s smallest schools. However, with a 100% acceptance rate, it is an excellent choice for individuals pursuing careers in veterinary and agricultural science. Located on a working farm, this school gives students an extraordinary amount of hands-on learning opportunities in the challenging, yet incredibly rewarding, coursework. The programs are highly affordable, with a frozen tuition rate of $139 per credit hour, which is far less than most other schools in the state and region. While small, NCTA is well-known throughout the country for its high-quality programs. As shown in the excellent job placement rate below, this college produces outstandingly successful graduate professionals.
Why Is It A Hidden Gem?
The size of the student body and the campus location alone are excellent reasons why the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture is a Hidden Gem of the Midwest. Readers would be hard-pressed to find another school of this distinction and quality anywhere in the United States. Offering associate’s degrees, certificates, and specialty programs, NCTA is not your average higher education institution, but it is fondly adored by past and present students. Forbes Business Magazine named this two-year college one of the thirty best trade schools in the nation where students earn esteemed and affordable degrees in key industry areas.
Total Enrollment: 300
Most Popular Majors:
- Agricultural Production Operations
- Veterinary Technician and Assistant
- Agricultural Business
Acceptance Rate: 100% Retention Rate: 55% Graduation Rate: 50% Job Placement Rate: 96%
LEARN MORE ABOUT NEBRASKA’S HIDDEN GEM: THE NEBRASKA COLLEGE OF TECHNICAL AGRICULTURE
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MAYVILLE STATE UNIVERSITY
MAYVILLE, NORTH DAKOTA
Mayville State University is a remarkably superb choice for undergraduate applicants seeking top-quality on-campus, online, and hybrid bachelor’s degrees in teaching and instruction. There are nine exciting majors in said discipline, as well as seventeen non-teaching-focused majors. There are also several associate’s degrees available, each of which creates well-carved pathways to future certifications in any student’s area of choice. Adult learners are thrilled to participate in MSU’s state-of-the-art distance learning platform that supports one of the nation’s most celebrated Master of Arts in Teaching. Some of the most popular online degrees at MSU include bachelor’s in Mathematics Education and Business Administration.
Why Is It A Hidden Gem?
Mayville has gained increasing notability in the last decade due to its outstanding online degree programs, which, incidentally, have also been named some of the most affordable! While offering fabulous distance learning at a great price, the school simultaneously cultivates a compassionate on-campus community of learners and instructors who contribute to a deeply rooted history of academic excellence. Along with many other colleges and universities on this list of hidden midwestern gems, this gorgeous school has been educating students for more than a century since 1889. The institution maintains an incredibly small enrollment compared to other schools in the state and country, but due to the nature of its online programs, it is also highly diverse and very affordable.
Total Enrollment: 608
Most Popular Majors:
- Business
- Elementary Education
- Nursing
Acceptance Rate: 86% Retention Rate: 66% Graduation Rate: 31% Job Placement Rate: 97%
LEARN MORE ABOUT NORTH DAKOTA’S HIDDEN GEM: MAYVILLE STATE UNIVERSITY
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VALLEY CITY STATE UNIVERSITY
valley city, north dakota
This top public regional university provides over sixty-five undergraduate degrees in a wide range of areas. The institution attracts students of all kinds, which is evident from the Most Popular Majors section listed below. Founded originally as a “normal school” (teachers college) in 1890, today, Valley City State University offers numerous prestigious online graduate degrees in Education and Teaching. A small school, VCSU has a student body that averages between 800-900, 500 of which are undergrads. Students have fantastic access to their professors, and classes have a 13:1 student-faculty ratio. Everyone enrolled at Valley City agrees that instructors put tremendous effort into every course and work hard to see all students succeed.
Why Is It A Hidden Gem?
Located on a historic fifty-five acres that ranges from lush forest to the Sheyenne Riverside, the entire central campus is included on the National Register of Historic Places. OnlineSchoolsCenter.com is certainly not the only high-quality journalistic resource to praise Valley City State University as one of the best schools in the Midwest—U.S. News and World Report has included VCSU as one of the nation’s best colleges for a staggering twenty-three consecutive years. In 1996, this educational institution became the first in the state to provide laptops to faculty and students, and, in 2020, it maintains its place as a technologically innovative and advanced university. Students have access to state-of-the-art equipment, and VCSU is committed to providing a smooth and steady learning experience across all mediums.
Total Enrollment: 862
Most Popular Majors:
- Business
- Elementary Education
- Physical Education Teaching and Coaching
Acceptance Rate: 74% Retention Rate: 68% Graduation Rate: 34% Job Placement Rate: 93%
LEARN MORE ABOUT NORTH DAKOTA’S HIDDEN GEM: VALLEY CITY STATE UNIVERSITY
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KENYON COLLEGE
GAMBIER, OHIO
Kenyon College is an excellent institution that strongly emphasizes writing as its learning model. It attracts brilliant students from all across the world, and the total enrollment represents forty-eight states and forty-nine countries. There are fifty majors, minors, and concertation options available, and the school’s liberal arts disciplines are absolutely unmatched throughout the Midwest. With nearly 200 study-abroad programs, all students have the opportunity to pursue learning and life experiences in one of fifty different countries throughout the entire globe. Kenyon students maintain more than 150 clubs and organizations, of which there is an option for individuals from all studies and with widely varying goals.
Why Is It A Hidden Gem?
One of the many reasons that makes Kenyon College superbly distinctive is its development and implementation of a unique advisory model where professors serve as academic advisors. It was the first school in the nation to take such an approach to bring students and professor-mentors closer together. Located on a stunning 1,000-acre campus, Kenyon is a “living laboratory” with fascinating specimens right at students’ fingertips. Miles of trails through luscious greenery connect all elements of the campus. The academic buildings and residence halls range from state-of-the-art modern to historic stone facilities. The event calendar is replete with exhibits, concerts, films, cultural events, lectures, and much more throughout every academic year.
Total Enrollment: 1,721
Most Popular Majors:
- Economics
- English
- Psychology
Acceptance Rate: 36% Retention Rate: 91% Graduation Rate: 90% Job Placement Rate: 94%
LEARN MORE ABOUT OHIO’S HIDDEN GEM: KENYON COLLEGE
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OBERLIN COLLEGE
OBERLIN, OHIO
Oberlin College is a challenging school that demands tremendous discipline from its students. That said, it is absolutely adored by all attendees, both past and present, and the wonderous campus provides a majestic and almost supernatural atmosphere. Oberlin was established in 1833 and has a long history during abolition, the civil war, and coeducation. It attracts highly motivated individuals who know what they want to pursue and are ready to take on the hurdles of a prestigious education. This college is particularly well-known for its music degrees and is considered by many to be the country’s very best college of music. Students learn from exceptional faculty members, nearly 100% of whom hold terminal degrees in their fields of expertise.
Why Is It A Hidden Gem?
For students of music, Oberlin College provides an esteemed, prestigious, and extremely high-quality education. Musicians of all walks have access to a world-class conservatory, which includes top-quality performance halls, practice rooms, and musical instruments. The Bertram and Judith Kohl Building houses outstanding pianos, organs, harpsichords, and fortepianos, as well as orchestral and baroque instruments. The unique and incredibly handsome campus is also home to the Allen Memorial Art Museum, which supplies fascinating exhibits, both permanent and visiting. The Oberlin College Library contains more than 2,000,000 items and is one of the most excellent undergraduate collections in the United States.
Total Enrollment: 2,758
Most Popular Majors:
- Biology
- Music Performance
- Political Science and Government
Acceptance Rate: 36% Retention Rate: 89% Graduation Rate: 85% Job Placement Rate: 90%
LEARN MORE ABOUT OHIO’S HIDDEN GEM: OBERLIN COLLEGE
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DENISON UNIVERSITY
granville, ohio
This top-tier liberal arts college provides an incredibly well-rounded education. The curricula are immensely broad and emphasize students’ presence in the classroom where they have a strong voice. Each class has a focus on writing, listing, collaboration, innovation, adapting, solving, and leading. Denison University’s overall goal is to nurture autonomous thinking in all students. The coursework is arranged in such a way that all students develop expertise in multiple areas, rather than concentrating all their focus on one particular topic. There is an excellent selection of fascinating courses and fifty-four majors, such as Queer Studies, Music with an emphasis in Blue Grass, and Women’s and Gender Studies.
Why Is It A Hidden Gem?
Denison University supplies an enormous amount of opportunities and resources outside of the traditional undergraduate college experience. For example, the Summer Accelerator Program is an array of mini-courses, training in essential business theories, and internships, all of which is a fabulous opportunity for future professionals and entrepreneurs to gain invaluable experience in their field. As one of the nations leading liberal arts educational institutions since 1831, Denison maintains a small, yet brilliant, student body from every state in the U.S. and fifty-six countries worldwide. Both past and present students at Denison have used the words “outgoing” and “open-minded” to describe their alma mater, which are integral aspects of the entire campus experience.
Total Enrollment: 2,365
Most Popular Majors:
- Communications
- Economics
- Biology
Acceptance Rate: 34% Retention Rate: 89% Graduation Rate: 82% Job Placement Rate: 98%
LEARN MORE ABOUT OHIO’S HIDDEN GEM: DENISON UNIVERSITY
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AUGUSTANA UNIVERSITY
SIOUX FALLS, SOUTH DAKOTA
Augustana University maintains an affiliation with the Lutheran Church, and the 100-acre campus was founded in 1860. It is a comprehensive and highly selective school that, at 99%, has one of the best Job Placement Rates in the entire nation. There are 100 available undergraduate majors, preprofessional programs, and minors, as well as opportunities for graduate and continuing education students. Augustana utilizes a 4-1-4 academic calendar. This system includes a four-week term in January, or J-Term, during which students complete exciting, special, one-time course topics such as Lego robotics or travel courses, internships, and campus exchange programs. A minimal number of colleges and universities in the United States offer such an exceptional and fun learning opportunity.
Why Is It A Hidden Gem?
Augustana offers thrilling educational experiences for all students, particularly those in the undergraduate programs. Aside from J-Term, there are a vast number of extensive study abroad, internship, research, and honors programs available. These opportunities create unique learning and life experiences that are highly beneficial during the graduates’ job search. There are also over 100 student-managed clubs and organizations, including nineteen NCAA Division II sports teams, twenty performing arts ensembles in theater and music, and numerous special interest groups. Students at Augustana University are a part of an immensely supportive educational community that many call “home.” They take part in traditions and events such as Viking Days, Suite Farwell, and The Faculty Gauntlet, many of which have existed for more than 100 years!
Total Enrollment: 1,717
Most Popular Majors:
- Biology
- Business
- Nursing
Acceptance Rate: 65% Retention Rate: 85% Graduation Rate: 70% Job Placement Rate: 99%
LEARN MORE ABOUT SOUTH DAKOTA’S HIDDEN GEM: AUGUSTANA UNIVERSITY
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SOUTH DAKOTA SCHOOL OF MINES & TECHNOLOGY
RAPID CITY, SOUTH DAKOTA
The South Dakota School of Mines & Technology, or, simply, South Dakota Mines, provides esteemed undergraduate degrees in engineering and science and has been doing so since 1885. The school was originally founded to educate leaders in mining, which was the region’s primary industry at the time. Today, students and faculty are involved in national and international research projects in collaboration with agencies such as NASA. This school is well-known for its outstanding degrees in STEM academics, which are some of the most tenacious in the world. Mines also provides personalized attention for each individual student and has riveting internship opportunities, many of which result in employment before graduation! The average SDSMT graduate earns about $66,500 annually, and with an excellent Job Placement Rate, they are essentially guaranteed to land their dream jobs.
Why Is It A Hidden Gem?
South Dakota Mines is located in one of the most beautiful, unique, and spiritual regions in the entire country. The Black Hills are immensely important to indigenous peoples, and it is also home to Mount Rushmore. For the past three consecutive years, SDSMT has been named the very best engineering school among 300 others for returns on investment. It is a highly collaborative academic environment where students are encouraged to work directly in tandem with students of varying disciplines. All curricula emphasize hands-on learning in state-of-the-art labs and research facilities on campus. Here, students delve deeply into fascinating subjects such as robotics, dinosaurs, and counterfeit drug prevention, all of which are instructed by top experts recognized globally for their achievements and contributions.
Total Enrollment: 1,873
Most Popular Majors:
- Civil Engineering
- Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Acceptance Rate: 83% Retention Rate: 76% Graduation Rate: 46% Job Placement Rate: 96%
LEARN MORE ABOUT SOUTH DAKOTA’S HIDDEN GEM: THE SOUTH DAKOTA SCHOOL OF MINES AND TECHNOLOGY
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LAWRENCE UNIVERSITY
APPLETON, WISCONSIN
Lawrence University operates as both a prestigious college of liberal arts and a highly respected conservatory of music. It produces the next generation of leaders, shakers, and problem-solvers in top agencies, corporations, organizations, ensembles, orchestras, and symphonies across the nation. Lawerence’s academic approach is significantly centered around Engaged Learning inside and outside the classroom, and the surrounding community provides an excellent resource for students of all disciplines. It is a widely diverse school that attracts students from all across the country and the world. The student body represents individuals from forty-seven states and over forty-five countries. There are thirty-nine undergraduate majors, four of which are Bachelor’s of Music, and three concentration areas.
Why Is It A Hidden Gem?
There are innumerable reasons why Lawrence University a hidden gem of the Midwest, one of which is its phenomenal six-month post-graduation Job Placement Rate of 99%. Students leave this outstanding educational institution and enter high-level positions at companies and groups like Apple, Google, and the New York Jazz Academy. Many others choose to continue their education at prominent graduate schools such as New York University or Harvard. While the main campus is located in Appleton, there are two additional locations. The Bjorklunden campus is two hours north of Appleton and rests on the shore of Lake Michigan. The London Centre is established in Bloomsbury and provides a thrilling international avenue for all Lawrence students.
Total Enrollment: 1,420
Most Popular Majors:
- Biology
- Music Performance
- Psychology
Acceptance Rate: 62% Retention Rate: 85% Graduation Rate: 79% Job Placement Rate: 99%
LEARN MORE ABOUT WISCONSIN’S HIDDEN GEM: LAWRENCE UNIVERSITY
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MILWAUKEE SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN
Since its establishment in 1903, the Milwaukee School of Engineering has been offering undergraduate educational pathways that are “intrinsically tied to the real world.” Despite their major of choice, all students engage strongly with the Milwaukee professional community. Utilizing a distinctive teaching approach, freshman students begin their majors immediately upon entering their first semester. Students at MSOE form inseparable academic bonds with professors who are deeply invested in each class. The school does not provide teaching assistants, which gives students the most access to their instructors possible. While students spend a significant of their time in experiential learning opportunities, this excellent school also provides access to state-of-the-art, industry-standard labs, classrooms, and research facilities.
Why Is It A Hidden Gem?
The Milwaukee School of Engineering is exceptionally well-decorated in achievements and recognition from respected journalistic resources, particularly U.S. News and World Report. Some of its 2021 accolades include Best Engineering Programs, Most Innovative, and Best for Veterans, as well as many others. As of October 2020, MSOE received an S-STEM research grant from the National Science Foundation, which is only one example of this outstanding institution’s many achievements. The Milwaukee School of Engineering is, of course, one of the best schools in the entire nation for students pursuing science and engineering-based degrees. It is also a fabulous option for students requiring generous financial aid benefits.
Total Enrollment: 2,491
Most Popular Majors:
- Electrical Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Nursing
Acceptance Rate: 63% Retention Rate: 87% Graduation Rate: 63% Job Placement Rate: 97%