The U.S. News & World Report, "Best Colleges 2011" national survey places the University of Notre Dame as the highest-ranking institute of higher education in the state. The school is nationally ranked at No. 19. This survey focuses on factors such as graduation rates, student retention and strength of faculty. Undergraduate students reside in 29 residence halls on the Notre Dame campus located in South Bend. The university provides a mandatory First Year of Studies Program where students complete the school's initial curriculum with the aid of a professional adviser. These advisers assist students in determining the proper courses necessary to reach their academic goals upon graduation. Upon completion of the First Year of Studies Program, students participate in degree programs through a variety of colleges such as Art and Letters, Engineering or Science. Additional choices include the School of Architecture and the Mendoza College of Business. The university also has a graduate school.
Engineering students seeking an undergraduate degree will find the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, in Terre Haute, the top school for admissions based on research from College Admissions Services. To be eligible for the ranking, a college must award over one-third of its annual undergraduate degrees to an engineering field. The firm ranks engineering schools based on the institution's likelihood of accepting a student's application for enrollment. Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology is the only such engineering school in Indiana. Academic departments at the college include Applied Biology and Biomedical Engineering, where students prepare for careers in environmental health, marine biology and genetic engineering. Additional areas of study such as chemical, civil, mechanical and computer science and software engineering are also offered by the school.
The Indiana University Kelley School of Business ranks highest in the state for students looking for a full-time Master of Business Administration degree. The Bloomberg Businessweek, "Business School Rankings & Profiles," compares how well schools satisfy the needs of both students and job recruiters. The ability of each school's faculty to perform research associated with the institution's business curriculum is also considered. The school's full-time MBA program offers a choice of program majors like Entrepreneurship & Corporate Innovation, Finance, Management, Marketing, Accounting and Supply Chain & Operations. Students can customize their education with nearly 600 options including earning a combination of majors or other additional degrees and certificates.
The "Best Colleges 2011" survey from U.S. News & World Report ranks schools in various engineering areas including the Biological/Agricultural field. Purdue University is the top ranked school in this area within the state of Indiana and third nationally. The university's Agricultural and Biological Engineering program offers Bachelor of Science degrees in Agricultural Engineering and Agricultural Systems Management. Bachelor of Science degrees are also offered in Biological and Food Process Engineering. In addition, students may earn degrees in Pre-agricultural and Biological Engineering.