Taylor University, an evangelical Christian college in Upland, Indiana, is the number one baccalaureate Midwest college, according to the 2010 rankings in "U.S. News & World Report." It was founded in 1846 as the Fort Wayne Female College but became co-educational in 1855. In 1890, it merged with the Fort Wayne College of Medicine, with its name changed to Taylor University in honor of Bishop William Taylor. The school moved to Upland in 1893.
Taylor offers bachelor's degrees in such diverse majors as art, Biblical studies, biology, Earth and environmental science, physical education and social work. The School of Professional and Graduate Studies was established in 2008, and offers master's degrees in religious studies, higher education, environmental science, business administration and teaching.
Taylor University
236 W. Reade Ave.
Upland, IN 46989-1002
765-998-5134
taylor.edu
College of the Ozarks calls itself "Hard Work U" because of its unique policy of requiring students to work for their tuition. Students are required to work 15 hours a week for the school during the school year and two 40-hour weeks when the college is not in session. Combined with scholarships and grants, this works out to free tuition for its 1,400 students, the college says. Students are required to pay for room and board, books and service fees. Since its founding in 1906 as the School of the Ozarks, the institution has never charged students for tuition.
The college, affiliated with the Presbyterian Church, offers degrees in 34 areas. Majors include agriculture, conservation and wildlife management, and hotel and restaurant management, as well as traditional majors in accounting, art and chemistry.
College of the Ozarks
P.O. Box 17
Point Lookout, MO 65726
417-334-6411
cofo.edu/
Dakota State University was the highest-ranked public college, at 35th, on the "U.S. News & World Report" 2010 list of best Midwestern colleges. The school was founded as a teachers' college in 1881. Today it is very technology oriented. All full-time students receive a tablet PC which uses iris-scan technology for computer security. This is their key to the campus.
The university is very strong in technology courses such as computer and network security, computer game design, and digital arts and design. But it has integrated 21st-century technology into all its major offerings. Most of the five graduate degree programs center on technology as well.
Dakota State University
820 Washington Ave. N
Madison, SD 57042-1799
605-256-5111
dsu.edu