2015 Best Northern Universities

ScholarGeek scours the web to bring you the most up to date and relevant information available. One of our favorite sources for College and University ranking in the United States is College Choice. 

Their rankings of the 2015 Best Northern Universities are based exclusively on factors actual college freshmen said were most important to their college decision. According to the most recent nationwide survey published by the Higher Education Research Institute at UCLA , these factors include academic reputation, financial aid offerings, overall cost, and success of graduates in the post-college job market. Each of these factors were weighted equally in our ranking and data was derived from a variety of publicly available sources, including U.S. News & World Report , the National Center for Education Statistics , and PayScale.com . 

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35) Assumption College

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The founder of Assumption College, Father Emmanuel d’Alzon, challenged the faculty of Assumption to go beyond just academics and educate the whole person. This heritage continues to shape Assumption College as a private, Catholic institution that is focused on forming its 2,200 undergraduate students (out of 2,700 total students) within a supportive environment provided by its 12 to 1 student to faculty ratio and average class size of 21. The Honors program is one example of the distinctive opportunities at Assumption—Honors students have the opportunity to pursue coursework at the Assumption College campus located in Rome. The most popular areas of study are English, Occupational and Physical Therapy, Business Studies, Psychology, Accounting, and Biology. 74% of applicants were admitted to Assumption College in 2013.

34) SUNY—Geneseo

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Located in the historic village of Geneseo and only 10 minutes from Letchworth Sate Park in the upstate Finger Lakes region, the State University of New York at Geneseo is known as New York’s Public Honors College. Dedicated to equipping socially responsible citizens with skills and values for a productive life, SUNY—Greneseo builds its academic culture on excellence, innovation, community, diversity, integrity, service to society, and tradition. Nearly all of its over 5,600 students are undergraduates and the student to faculty ratio is 19 to 1. The most often selected majors at SUNY—Grenesco are Biology, Psychology, Business Administration, Education, and English. In 2013 its admission rate was 46%.

33) Marist College

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Marist College is located on the Hudson River in the beautiful and historic Hudson River Valley, midway between New York City and Albany. Marist reflects the ideals of its founder St. Marcellin Champagnat: commitment to excellence in education, a pursuit of higher human values, and dedication to the principle of service. In addition to its main campus, students may also study at extension centers in Fishkill or Manhattan, online…or at Marist’s branch in Florence, Italy. With 23 NCAA Division I athletic teams and a rich intellectual tradition, Marist College’s 6,300 students (5,500+ undergraduates) experience a 16 to 1 student to faculty ratio and small classroom sizes. The major areas of study include Business Administration, Communication, Psychology, Criminal Justice, and Fashion Design/Merchandising. Marist admitted 37% of applicants in 2013.

32) Fairleigh Dickinson University

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Fairleigh Dickinson University-College at Florham is part of a larger university including the Metropolitan Campus in Teaneck, NJ, another in Vancouver, British Columbia, and a campus in Wroxton, England. The College at Florham is an intimate liberal-arts community with a student to faculty ratio of 11 to 1 and 3,000 students (2,200+ undergraduates). The most populated majors include Business Administration, Accounting, Psychology, Communication Studies, and Film and Animation. Fairleigh Dickinson University-College at Florham admitted 78% of applicants in 2013.

31) Marshall University

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Located in the Midwood section of Brooklyn, the City University of New York’s (CUNY) Brooklyn College provides academically excellent, affordable public education for its diverse student body of 17,000 students (13,500+ undergraduates). The student to faculty ratio at Brooklyn College rivals that of small universities with 14 students to every faculty member. Brooklyn College develops students who think critically, lead responsibly, act ethically, and contribute globally. CUNY—Brooklyn College’s most popular areas of study include: Business, Psychology, Accounting, Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, and Health & Nutrition Sciences. 32% of applicants were admitted to Brooklyn College in 2013.

30) New York Institute of Technology

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New York Institute of Technology is a global, private institution of higher education, with 13,000 students at campuses in North America, China, the Middle East, and online. 7,500 of their students (4,400+ undergraduates) attend the campus in Old Westbury, New York. Nestled among more than a hundred acres, NYIT’s Old Westbury campus looks and feels like a private estate. NYIT has long focused on career-oriented professional education and giving all students access to opportunity. Due to its student to faculty ratio of 11 to 1, NYIT students are well-supported in their educational process. The most populous areas of study are Architecture/Architectural Technology, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Communication Arts, Interdisciplinary Studies, and Life Sciences. In 2013, 74% of applicants were admitted to New York Institute of Technology.

29) Mercyhurst University

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Since 1926 Mercyhurst University’s motto has been “Carpe Deim”. They believe that students must seize not only the day, but also the opportunities to grow, explore and become. Mercyhurst is a Catholic, liberal arts institution, founded by the Sisters of Mercy and located in Erie, Pennsylvania that focuses on practical, hands-on education and professional preparation. Its student body is just over 3,000 (2,600+ undergraduates), with a student to faculty ratio of 13 to 1. Its core values are to be socially merciful, globally responsible, compassionately hospitable, intellectually creative, and reflectively aware. Top student majors include Biology, Hospitality Management, International Business, Criminal Justice, Public Health, and Social Work. 75% of applicants were admitted in 2013.

28) Ramapo College of New Jersey

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Ramapo College of New Jersey is a public institution with unique interdisciplinary academic programs, located in the foothills of the Ramapo Mountains. The College’s mission is expressed through its four “pillars”—namely, that it is international, intercultural, interdisciplinary, and experiential. These commitments are incorporated throughout both the classroom experience and student life programming. With a classroom ratio of 17 to 1 and a community of 5,800 students (5,600+ undergraduates), Ramapo College of New Jersey offers a supportive learning environment. Some of its most popular majors include: Business Administration, Communication Arts, Psychology, Nursing, Biology, and Accounting. 55% of applicants were admitted in 2013.

27) Rowan University

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Rowan University was founded in 1923 and has evolved from being a teacher’s college to a nationally ranked and recognized public university. Rowan combines liberal arts education with professional preparation in a collaborative, learning-centered environment. Henry M. Rowan, who made a substantial contribution to the legacy that marks Rowan University once said: “Make a difference. Make this world a little better because you lived in it.” This motto shapes the life of Rowan University today. Its 13,300+ students (approx. 11,000 undergraduates) number 13 to 1 with its faculty. Students major in a variety of areas, and some of the most popular majors include: Engineering, Music Education, Biological Science, Psychology, Radio/TV/Film, and English (English Education). The Admission rate was 59% in 2013.

26) Canisius College

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Canisus College is a Catholic, Jesuit university that educates the whole person by caring for the mind, body, and spirit of the individual. Their Jesuit ideals pursue intellectual depth, rooted in faith and reason, and demonstrated in care and commitment to the world around them. Canisus values transformative learning and student engagement that is steeped in the ideals of human excellence, care for the whole person, and service to humanity. Their more than 4,500 students (3,000+ undergraduates) are supported by the faculty through this process, and the student to faculty ratio is 12 to 1. Canisius College students top selections for undergraduate majors are Biology, Finance, Management, Accounting, Communication, and Psychology.

25) CUNY—Queens College

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City University of New York (CUNY), Queens College is located in one of the most diverse boroughs of New York, and this diversity is reflected in their student body of almost 19,000 students (15,300+ undergraduates). Though a large public university, Queens College boasts a student to faculty ratio of 13 to 1. Their motto is Discimus ut Serviamus: “We learn so that we may serve.” This mission is lived out throughout their many undergraduate majors and community. The most populas programs include: Psychology, Accounting, Economics, Sociology, English, and Political Science. CUNY—Queens College admitted 37% of applicants in 2013.

24) Notre Dame of Maryland University

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Historically a women’s college, Notre Dame of Maryland University now boasts both a Women’s College that continues its 120-year tradition of forming women leaders in the Catholic tradition of liberal arts and service to others, along with a College of Adult Undergraduate Studies that offers flexible weekend and evening coursework for working adults. Students study in an intimate environment where the student to faculty ratio is 12 to 1. Of the approximately 2,900 students, 1,200 are undergraduates, and about 500 undergraduates are students in the Women’s College of Notre Dame. Notre Dame challenges women and men to strive for intellectual and professional excellence, to build inclusive communities, to engage in service to others, and to promote social responsibility. The top majors at Notre Dame of Maryland University are Nursing, Business, Liberal Arts, Multi-Interdisciplinary Studies, Biology, and Chemistry. Their admission rate was 50% in 2013.

23) Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey—Camden

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Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey—Camden is the only public research university in New Jersey’s system of higher education. Chartered in 1766 as Queen’s College, Rutgers is the nation’s eighth oldest institution. Rutgers is a research university where new discoveries await undergraduates in pursuit of their own research and interests while being mentored by professors. The student to faculty ratio at Rutgers-Camden is 12 to 1 in a student body of just over 6,200 people (4,800+ undergraduates). Rutgers-Camden has the prestige and resources of Rutgers, which when combined with the opportunities of the metro Philadelphia region, delivers an academic heft unparalleled in public research universities. The top majors at Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey—Camden are Psychology, Business Administration, Accounting/Finance, Biology, Criminal Justice, and History. Their acceptance rate was 59% in 2013.

22) Wagner College

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Wagner College is located in the New York City borough of Staten Island. Located just a short ferry ride from Manhattan, Wagner students benefit from the close-knit community of 2,200 students (1,800 undergraduates) nestled atop Grymes Hill…along with the rich diversity and opportunities afforded by the rest of New York City. Wagner’s curriculum is built around the innovative “Wagner Plan” and features a solid grounding in liberal arts, combined with practical and applied experiences like internships, along with service learning and close-knit community. The student to faculty ratio at Wagner College is 14 to 1. Students’ top majors include Business Administration, Nursing, Theater & Speech, Art, and Psychology. Their admission rate in 2013 was 70%.

21) Le Moyne College

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Le Moyne College is a Jesuit institution that is committed to equipping the whole person with the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in the world while also working for a more just society. As a college where spirit, inquiry, and leadership flourish, Le Moyne’s Jesuit identity is apparent in the classroom, in its leadership development and student life opportunities, and in Le Moyne’s commitment to service learning. Le Moyne’s 3,300 students (2,700+ undergraduates) learn together in the picturesque city of Syracuse, New York, and have a student to faculty ratio of 13 to 1. The top majors at Le Moyne College include: Psychology, Biology, Business, Accounting, Criminology, and Marketing. In 2013, 62% of applicants were admitted to Le Moyne.

20) La Salle University

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La Salle University is a Catholic institution located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In the midst of a diverse community of 6,400 students (4,400+ undergraduates), those who call La Salle home are challenged to consider life’s ultimate questions in an environment that will support their growth, develop their faith, and press them to reach their full potential. The urban environment of the campus enhances students’ academic experience by providing a rich learning ground and location within which to practice civic engagement and leadership. With a 12 to 1 student to faculty ratio, La Salle provides an supportive environment where students can gain the theoretical and practical knowledge necessary for both professional success and service. The top student majors are Nursing, Accounting, Marketing, Psychology, and Criminal Justice. 80% of applicants were admitted in 2013.

19) Emerson College

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Located in Boston with campuses in the Netherlands and Los Angeles, Emerson College aspires to be a leading liberal-arts institution of higher education in the areas of arts and communication. Over 4,500 students (almost 3,800 undergraduates) comprise the student body at Emerson and the student to faculty ratio is 16 to 1. The focus on the arts and communication allows Emerson College to distinguish itself as an intellectual and creative community in which teaching, learning, scholarship, and creative work are accomplished at the highest possible levels. The top majors at Emerson are Marketing Communication, Writing/Literature/Publishing, Visual and Media Arts, Theater (Acting, Design, Musical, Stage Management, Education), and Journalism. Their admission rate was 48% in 2013.

18) Molloy College

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Molloy College on Long Island, New York, provides a liberal arts education rooted in the Catholic, Dominican tradition of study, spirituality, service, and community. The student body of Molloy College is nearly 4,500 students (3,400+ undergraduates) and provides intensive student mentorship on account of its student to faculty ratio of 10 to 1. Its top majors include Nursing, Elementary Education, Accounting/Business, Criminal Justice, and Social Work. 73% of applicants were admitted to Molloy College in 2013.

17) Quinnipiac University

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Quinnipiac University in Hamden, Connecticut is focused on students. With a student to faculty ratio of 12 to 1, more than 8,800 students (6,500+ undergraduates) and average class sizes of 25, Quinnipiac is a medium-sized university that focuses on teaching and supporting students. Three core values characterize a Quinnipiac education: high-quality academic programs, a student-oriented environment, and a strong sense of community. Focused on teaching, Quinnipiac also offers many student life opportunities, including many NCAA Division I athletic teams. Students select from many majors, with the highest number of students enrolling in Health Science Studies, Nursing, Entrepreneurship & Small Business Management, Psychology, Biology/Biomedical Sciences/Biochemistry, and Public Relations. 67% of applicants were admitted to Quinnipiac in 2013.

16) Alfred University

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Alfred University is a private, non-sectarian institution nestled in the foothills of the Allegheny Mountains of New York. The 232-acre campus provides a beautiful backdrop for the educational endeavors of Alfred’s 2,400+ students (approx. 2,000 undergraduates). Alfred provides academically challenging programs in a student-centered environment with a student to faculty ratio of 12 to 1 in order to prepare well-educated, independent thinkers ready for continuous intellectual and personal growth. The most popular majors include: Engineering (Mechanical, Ceramic, Etc.), Biology, Psychology, Elementary Education, and Criminal Justice Studies. 70% of applicants were admitted to Alfred University in 2013.

15) Ithaca College

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Ithaca College is a liberal arts college that has long recognized the value of combining theory and performance. Their teaching and scholarship are motivated by the need to be informed by, and to contribute to, the world’s scientific and humanistic enterprises. Ithaca began as a music conservatory and since that time has become a leader in liberal arts higher education. It remains deeply formed by the arts and encourages exploration in all of its degree programs. With more than 6,700 students (6,200 undergraduates), Ithaca provides a student-centered learning community where the student to faculty ratio is 11 to 1. The top majors at Ithaca College are Television-Radio, Business, Physical Therapy, Cinema and Photography / Film, Public Relations, Exercise Science, and Journalism. In 2013, 67% of applicants were admitted to Ithaca College.

14) CUNY—City College

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Founded in 1847 by Townsend Harris, with a vision that all people would have access to education, CUNY-City College serves as the flagship college for The City University of New York (CUNY) and remains committed to accessibility and excellence in education. The student body of more than 15,300 (12, 500+ undergraduates) is incredibly diverse—in fact, no one racial group makes up a majority. It offers this educational experience in a personalized environment because the student to faculty ratio rivals that of the smallest private schools at 11 to 1. CUNY’s history, academic excellence, along with the kind of diversity that reflects the future of our world, all combine to make CUNY- City College a rich and rewarding public university that develops leaders who contribute to the cultural, social, and economic life of New York. The top majors at CUNY-City College are Psychology, Biology, Engineering (Electrical, Mechanical, Biomedical, Chemical, etc.). English, and Interdisciplinary Studies. In 2013, 34% of applicants were admitted.

13) University of Scranton

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Located in Scranton, Pennsylvania, the University of Scranton is a Catholic and Jesuit university enlivened by the spiritual vision and the tradition of excellence characteristic of the Ignatian heritage. The University of Scranton is known for its academic quality and community which arises out of their Ignation commitments to Magis, the pursuit of excellence rooted in gratitude; Cura Personalis, valuing the uniqueness of each member of the University community; seeking God in all things; liberal education; service of faith and the promotion of justice; and contemplation in action. The over 5,600 students (nearly 4,000 undergraduates) learn together in a supportive environment where the student to faculty ratio is 11 to 1. The top majors at Scranton include: Biology, Nursing, Accounting, Exercise Science, Psychology, and Early and Primary Teacher Education. 75% of applicants were admitted to the University of Scranton in 2013.

12) St. Joseph’s University

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St. Joseph’s University of Philadelphia is steeped in the Jesuit, Catholic tradition, and provides a rigorous education that disciplines and expands the mind. Guided by the Ignatian motto of cura personalis, the notion of care for the growth of the whole person, St. Joseph’s faculty are committed to teaching and scholarship, and developing students intellectually through liberal arts curriculum. Service is also central to Jesuit identity and that is why at St. Joseph’s the 9,000 students (5,300+ undergraduates) engage in service with others, for others. With a student to faculty ratio of 15 to 1, students at St. Joseph will be formed as they grow in mind, body, and soul. The top majors at St. Joseph’s University are Marketing (incl. Sports Marketing), Psychology, Finance, Accounting, Special Education, Health Administration, English, and Criminology. 79% of applicants were admitted to St. Joseph’s University in 2013.

11) Simmons College

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Simmons College is located in the heart of Boston, and reaps the benefits of being a small, women’s undergraduate college in the heart of a university town. Their hands-on curriculum integrates intellectual leadership, career preparation, and community orientation, because they believe all three are necessary for success. Well before women had the right to vote, John Simmons founded the college out of a conviction that women should be able to earn independent livelihoods and lead meaningful lives. This same spirit has continued at Simmons where 4,655 students are formed (1,700+ undergraduates, both men and women enroll in graduate studies at Simmons) for leadership in many areas. With a 10 to 1 student to faculty ratio and a commitment to placing students first, Simmons College is a welcoming, collaborative community. The top majors are Communications, Biology, Psychology, Exercise Science/Nutrition, and English. 49% of applicants were admitted to Simmons College in 2013.

10) Bryant University

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Located in Smithfield, Rhode Island, Bryant University has a long tradition as a liberal arts institution that “satisfies the practical and exacting demands of business”. Bryant University has always been distinguished by its unique focus on forming leaders for the marketplace through an integrated curriculum. With a student body of 3,500 (approximately 3,300 undergraduates) and a student to faculty ratio of 16 to 1, Bryant University equips students with the knowledge and sills necessary for success in their professions. The top majors of the university include Business Administration (concentrations in Finance, Accounting, Marketing, etc.) International Business, and Applied Economics. 77% of applicants were admitted to Bryant University in 2013.

9) Manhattan College

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Manhattan College was founded in 1853 in the Lasllian Catholic tradition in Riverdale, New York (in the Bronx borough). This heritage gives life to five guiding principles: excellence in teaching; respect for human dignity; reflection on faith and its relation to reason; an emphasis on ethical conduct; and commitment to social justice. With almost 3,900 students (3,400 undergraduates) and a student to faculty ratio of 12 to 1, Manhattan College is a small college with big opportunities. The most popular majors at Manhattan College are Civil Engineering/Mechanical Engineering, Psychology, Finance, Business, Dual Childhood/Special Education, and Physical Education. 66% of applicants were accepted to Manhattan College in 2013.

8) CUNY—Baruch College

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As a part of The City University of New York, Baruch College is a national leader in higher education that is within minutes of Wall Street and global opportunities. The 17,500 students (14,000+ undergraduates) can trace their heritage to more than 170 countries, making it one of the most ethnically diverse student bodies in the United States. This cultural diversity enhances the educational experiences for those who strive to lead in business, civic life, culture, and education. Not only does CUNY—Baruch College provide rigorous academic preparation, but it is also very affordable. Top student majors include: Finance, Accountacy, Marketing Management, International Business, Computer Information Systems, and Psychology. 25% of applicants were admitted to CUNY—Baruch College in 2013.

7) Rochester Institute of Technology

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Rochester Institute of Technology has a 14 to 1 student to faculty ratio and a student body of nearly 16,000 (almost 14,000 undergraduates). RIT is committed to helping students master their passions and join creativity and innovation. Founded in 1829, Rochester Institute of Technology is a private university with a focus on career education and experiential learning. RIT is an internationally recognized leader in preparing deaf and hard-of-hearing students for successful careers in professional and technical fields. The top majors include: Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Computer, etc.), Biomedical Sciences / Biotechnology, Computer Science, Marketing, and International Hospitality and Service Management. 60% of applicants were admitted in 2013.

6) The College of New Jersey

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The College of New Jersey’s campus in suburban Ewing, New Jersey is approximately 5 miles from Trenton, the state capital, and one hour from both Philadelphia and New York. The College of New Jersey regards education in the service of human welfare as its chief end. With an average class size of 21 students and a student to faculty ratio of 13 to 1, TCNJ’s more than 7,300 students (6,600+ undergraduates) are shaped in a rich academic tradition that educates leaders who advance the communities in which they live. The most popular majors at TCNJ are Business Administration, Psychology, Elementary Education, Biology, English, and Nursing. In 2013, 43% of applicants were admitted to The College of New Jersey.

5) Fairfield University

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Fairfield University is a Jesuit, Catholic institution that promotes social responsibility, and encourages students to develop their full potential in a rich liberal arts educational environment. Located on Connecticut’s coastline, the surroundings enliven the community of nearly 5,000 students (approximately 3,900 undergraduates) in mentoring relationships with the faculty whose ratio is 1 to every 11 students. Fairfield celebrates the God-given dignity of every human person and welcomes those of all beliefs and traditions who share their concerns for scholarship, justice, truth and freedom. The most popular majors at Fairfield University include: Nursing, Communication, Accounting, Psychology, Marketing, and English. 71% of applicants were admitted to Fairfield University in 2013.

4) Providence College

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Providence College, a Catholic, Dominican campus strives to provide an education for the whole person—body, mind and soul. Almost 4,700 (4,100+ undergraduates) comprise the student body who pursue academic excellence in service of God and neighbor. Following the example of St. Dominic, Providence affirms the God-given dignity, freedom, and equality of each person. With a student to faculty ratio of 12 to 1, students are challenged to pursue truth and grow in virtue through their educational formation at Providence College. The top majors at Providence are Biology, Marketing, Finance, Accountancy, Management, and Health Policy and Management. 60% of applicants were admitted in 2013.

3) Loyola University Maryland

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Loyola University Maryland is a Jesuit, Catholic institution in Baltimore that is committed to the educational and spiritual traditions of the Society of Jesus and the development of the whole person. This translates into rigorous academics that inspire students to learn, lead, and serve in a diverse and changing world. The almost 6,000 (4,000 undergraduates) students learn in a supportive environment where the student to faculty ratio is 12 to 1. The Jesuit legacy calls students to become leaders of integrity and honesty who value diversity, build community, pursue justice, exhibit lives of service, cultivate discernment and continually strive for improvement. The top majors are Business (Administration and Economics), Communication, Speech-language Pathology/Audiology, Psychology, and Biology. 58% of applicants were admitted to Loyola University Maryland in 2013.

2) Bentley University

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Bentley University is a leading business school where the majority of students study business-related fields while also engaged with a liberal arts core. This juxtaposition is maintained because Bentley is dedicated to preparing business leaders with technical skills who have a global perspective and high ethical standards. The 5,600+ students (4,200 undergraduates) engage with faculty in a 14 to 1 student to faculty ratio. This is a dynamic community located just outside of Boston, Massachusetts. Bentley is shaped by its values of diversity, integrity, responsibility, excellence, courage, and teamwork. The top majors at Bentley are Accountacy, Finance, Corporate Finance and Accounting, Marketing, and Management. 44% of applicants were admitted to Bentley in 2013.

1) Villanova University

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Founded in 1842, Villanova University is rooted in the Augustinian Catholic intellectual tradition, a heritage that engages both the heart and mind while developing well-rounded persons. Villanova University provides a welcoming community nestled just 12 miles west of Philadelphia, PA. Students at Villanova are challenged to think critically, act compassionately, and succeed while serving others. More than 10,000 undergraduate, graduate and law students comprise the student body of the University’s six colleges. Committed to environmental sustainability and achieving net climate neutrality by 2050, with many community service and student life opportunities, and 59 available undergraduate majors, Villanova draws students from 46 states and 50 foreign countries, boasts a student to faculty ratio of 12 to 1, and average class sizes of 22 students. The top majors at Villanova include: Finance, Communication, Nursing, Biology, Accountancy, and Engineering (Chemical, Mechanical, Civil, etc.). Villanova Universit admitted 49% of applicants for the fall of 2013.