Butler University

Indianapolis, IN | suburban setting | 4,290 undergraduates

Butler University (BU) is a private liberal arts school located on a picturesque campus minutes from downtown Indianapolis. So students get a big city feel within a close-knit community. Butler is recognized for its innovative and experiential curriculum. Students can choose among six colleges and 65+ majors and a vast global program—with 200+ study abroad options. New majors include a healthcare and business major, creatively combining programs among its College of Pharmacy and Health Science and the Lacy School of Business. These interdisciplinary degrees serve students with multiple academic interests. We’ll also give a shout out for its exploratory studies—a novel approach to helping undecided students choose a major. The program combines self-assessments, individual research, advisor coaching, faculty panels and job shadowing. With 150 student organizations, Division I athletics, great Greek Life and easy access to Indy’s nightlife, culture and sports—there is a lot to do on campus and off. We’d be remiss not mention the Bulldogs sports legacy—think March Madness and the Basketball Cathedral—Hinkle Fieldhouse. We are fans of Trip—the school’s live mascot who has his own Bulldog blog and twitter feed! Check out Ms. Flowers photos.

 

University of Louisville

Louisville, KY | urban setting | 16,300 undergraduates

The University of Louisville is a public institution situated in a very urban setting outside the banks of the Ohio River. With three campuses and 12 distinct schools and colleges, students can choose among 200 degree programs. As a research organization, undergrads can work alongside pioneering researchers. U of L is proof that going out of state doesn’t have to be expensive. It offers automatic regional scholarships tallying $9,000 for accepted Chicago students. (And these can be upgraded with additional scholarship dollars.) Undergrads also can apply to Guaranteed Entrance Programs for the Law, Dental and Medical Schools.These include its Harlan Scholars for Law, ULEAD program for Dentistry and GEMS for Medical School (the last is only for Kentucky residents). Typical of a large university, U of L boasts a vibrant campus life with hundreds of student organizations, 30 fraternities and sororities, Division 1 athletics (including 10 Bowl victories!) and BIG school spirit for its Louisville Cardinals. Go Cards! Off campus, Louisville offers tons to explore from internships, the arts, waterfront parks and great restaurants. Not to mention, Louisville is home to the Kentucky Derby, the Muhammad Ali Center and the Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory. See Ms. Flowers's pictures.

 

Belmont University

Nashville, TN | urban setting | 6,500 undergraduates

Belmont University is a private institution combining liberal arts education with the tenets of the Christian faith. It’s one of the fastest growing Christian universities in the country. Interestingly, many students hail from Illinois. The campus is located just two miles from Nashville—think Music City! Its Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business is recognized for groundbreaking programs in the music and entertainment businesses, audio engineering technology, motion pictures and songwriting. (And, might we add, an opportunity to learn in the same studios Bob Dylan and Luke Bryan recorded music!) And, while most students are musically inclined, there is much more to study than music. Notably Ms. Flowers’s tour guide was a business major who loves the drums. She also called out incredible dining services and a stunningly beautiful campus with a new vibe and new buildings. Do know that 60 convocation hours is a graduation requirement. That doesn’t mean just time spent in chapel—many activities count toward spirit hours. Other noteworthy mentions include “Best University,” “Best Value” and “Open Doors institution”—as Belmont has study abroad on six of seven continents and "study away" in leading U.S. cities. Notable alumni include Brad Paisley and Tricia Yearwood. View Ms. Flowers’s pictures of Belmont University.

 

Rose-Hulman Institute for Technology

Terre Haute, IN | suburban setting | 2,200 undergraduates

Rose-Hulman Institute for Technology is a top-ranked undergraduate engineering college and a leader in STEM education. Located in Indiana, its mission is to offer its students access to world-class undergraduate science, engineering and mathematics education. Most faculty members have PhD degrees. You probably won’t find an English major here. As one student commented, “This is a place for tinkerers at heart.” Students don’t just explore ideas, they bring them to life—literally in hands-on classes, innovation labs and competitions. Notably, through RH Ventures, a product design, rapid prototyping and development firm, students can work as interns alongside experienced engineers serving startups and established companies. Many students spend hours in the Branan Innovation Center (BIC)—a warehouse of a workshop where students participate on intense competitions ranging from Robotics to Grand Prix Engineering. Students even build a concrete canoe raced against other colleges. (See this video and other teams and clubs!) Speaking of competitions, companies often vie for Rose-Hulman talent, affording graduates great career and internship placement and strong starting salaries. Rose-Hulman is recognized for its return on investment. See Ms. Flowers's pictures.