The Best Colleges/Universities that You May Not Know About

[pomplemousse12]

I have to say that Christopher Newport University is a great college that isn't very well known (not trying to brag since I just graduated from there last month!). President Trible has transformed the University completely since taking over. The campus looks completely different from when I started, to say the least about the academic programs. Since 2008, many different programs have been added, especially to the College of Science. The theater and music programs are also very well respected, and is hard to get into. It currently stands around 5000 students, and they're working on building new buildings (Chapel, new Business building, and 2 new dorms when I left) so that students can stay on campus all four years without having to have a long distance to their classes. Our business school is very popular and not easy to get into, and they are usually well connected with internships across the country. Likewise, there is a Masters in Teaching program that, if a student chooses to take it, means that he/she will graduate with a Masters in Teaching in 5 years. It's available for a variety of subjects and disciplines, and is something special about the school. I haven't heard of too many other places that offer that sort of accelerated program for Teaching. If you are in the program, you have the option of going to a country in the Caribbean for a few weeks and teaching there, as well as having a placement in a nearby school for your teaching hours.
I really loved going to CNU and love where it is going and how much it has changed since I started, and how much it will continue to change in the next few years. It's definitely not a school if you don't like construction haha, Trible has grand plans!

[barbino]

OK, I can bore us all to death (me included) by mentioning all the little Great Books Colleges/programs and that was not my intent - I'll throw the rest in randomly. Right now I'd like to profile a university that GC'er Modorney mentioned to me -- it seems pretty unusual because it tracks student progress.

TRUMAN STATE UNIVERSITY - Kirksville, MO

Listed as a "Best Values" University, Truman State promises to deliver "an exceptional education." The student-faculty ratio is 16:1 and there is a full list of majors/programs. Spring 2012 undergrad. enrollment is approx. 5,633. The emphasis at Truman State seems to be an education that is personally focused, and the professors are readily available to students. Truman is the only highly selective public university in MO. It has also instituted an assessment program for measuring student outcomes. Truman State already has Greek life- there are 28 fraternities and sororities from all conferences.

[barbino]

Another one of my favorite little colleges -
Deep Springs College - Big Pine, CA
With a student body of approx. 26, this place is definitely one of the smallest colleges in the U.S. Currently all male, the college is undergoing a change to a co-ed program. This little college is based on a working cattle ranch. Founded in 1917, the 2-year college has a very diffferent curriculum. It seeks to foster leadership, responsibility, and the consideration of others within our communities. This is a learning community, and self-governance through the Student Body committees is practiced. The remote location hosts seminars and discussions. There is a Public Speaking requirement for all students. With a large library, classrooms, and shop rooms for the tools needed for the farm/ranch, this unique program combines student labor with a living/learning experience.

[Xidelt]

Similar to Deep Springs College, the following colleges have students work on campus in lieu of tuition:
Berea College
College of the Ozarks

Cooper Union guarantees each accepted undergrad a full tuition scholarship. Alice Lloyd College gives a full tuition scholarship to students from 108 designated counties in Appalachia. 75% of its students are first-generation college students.

[AGDee]

Webb Institute. I had never heard of this school until my cousin's daughter, who wants to major in naval engineering, went to visit it. She was admitted but decided to attend the University of Michigan instead. The Webb Institute only does naval engineering and only has about 80 students. This info is from their web site:

Webb Institute is a four-year, fully accredited engineering college that has specialized in naval architecture and marine engineering for the last 123 years. Founded in 1889 by prominent New York shipbuilder William H. Webb, the Institute has produced the nation's leading ship designers for over a century. Every Webb student receives a full-tuition scholarship founded by Mr. Webb and continued by the generous contributions of alumni/ae, friends of Webb, parents, and corporations.

[barbino]

Xidelt - Thanks, Berea was definitely on my list. I forgot about Alice Lloyd (Pippa Pass, KY), so I am glad that you mentioned it. I did not know about Cooper Union's full tuition scholarship. I was familiar with the school, though.

AGDee - Webb Institute sounds like a really different place, and with only 80 students, it is definitely small. Thanks!

[barbino]

Berea College - Berea, KY

Another America's Best College Buy, Berea does not charge tuition. Students from Appalachia & other areas with economic need can be found here in a living/learning environment. Founded in 1855, it has approx. 1,550 undergraduates. This is another academically rigorous program, offering 32 majors. The college gives each student a laptop. Berea sponsors an Education Abroad program. Each student works about 10+ hours a week in addition to his/her academic program as Berea is one of the colleges in the Works Colleges Consortium. Berea has the distinction of being the first coeducational and interracial college in the South (college website). The small-town campus is one of the little gems of Appalachia. Berea's mission includes serving the people of Appalachia and its communities.

[barbino]

Centre College - Danville, KY

Site of the 2000 Vice-Presidential debate (Lieberman/Cheney) and selected as the site for the upcoming 2012 Vice-Presidential debate, Centre is an outstanding liberal arts college. It is ranked #42 in National Liberal Arts Colleges by U. S. News. Centre is also ranked #1 in the U.S. for the percentage of alumni that give gifts (college website). Founded in 1819, the 2011-12 enrollment was approx. 1,300. Centre is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church, This is one of the oldest campuses in the country and several of the historically significant buildings have undergone restoration/historic preservation.

The only required courses for all students are the Humanities sequence. Centre's reputation and a mention of its politically aligned alumni was put into the U.S. Congressional Record in November, 2010. The college promotes study abroad. There are currently 4 national fraternities and 4 NPC sororities at Centre.

[AGDee]

Originally Posted by barbino

Berea College - Berea, KY

Another America's Best College Buy, Berea does not charge tuition. Students from Appalachia & other areas with economic need can be found here in a living/learning environment. Founded in 1855, it has approx. 1,550 undergraduates. This is another academically rigorous program, offering 32 majors. The college gives each student a laptop. Berea sponsors an Education Abroad program. Each student works about 10+ hours a week in addition to his/her academic program as Berea is one of the colleges in the Works Colleges Consortium. Berea has the distinction of being the first coeducational and interracial college in the South (college website). The small-town campus is one of the little gems of Appalachia. Berea's mission includes serving the people of Appalachia and its communities.

I just want to add... They have a student run hotel/restaurant and a store where goods that are handmade by the students are sold. We're not talking arts and crafts things. We're talking really well made incredible wood crafts, furniture, ceramics, etc. We ate at the restaurant and the food was fantastic. Now the last time I was there was probably 25 years ago, but I was so impressed. It is through this store, hotel and restaurant that they can continue having a tuition free college.

Craft store site: https://bereacollegecrafts.com/
Hotel/restaurant: http://www.boonetavernhotel.com/

I think I need to go there again, in fact. I loved that place.

[FirePaint]

Eastern Michigan University is located in Ypsilanti, MI, about 20 minutes away from Ann Arbor, MI, and about 45 minutes from Detroit.
EMU has one of the nation's leading education programs, particularly for special education, in which Eastern is ranked #1 in the state of Michigan.
They also have many other majors from all subject areas, a beautiful campus, and an incredible Greek system.

[kateee]

Thiel College
I currently attend Thiel and I absolutely love it! We are a small college - the freshman class consists of about 300 students, but this year's graduating class is 122. Due to our small size, there is a lot of 1 on 1 time with the faculty. My professors are always avaliable to chat if I need help. The campus is small. Freshman live up campus, literally a 2 minute walk away from campus, and upperclassmen are just across the street down campus. There is a small greek life presence, and a ton of clubs and activities. Thiel is located in the small town of Greenville, PA. A majority of activities are free - the school recently took students up to New York City for a day for free. They have wings and sings, free wings and karaoke, and they have lots of bonfires, and parties. I love the campus.

www.thiel.edu

[modorney]

A slight swerve, but I wonder what it would look like if you combined the best of Exco and the best of Landmark.

We've been looking at these models, along with the teaching model around the Harkness Table for our (Acacia) mentor program.

[barbino]

Originally Posted by modorney

A slight swerve, but I wonder what it would look like if you combined the best of Exco and the best of Landmark.

We've been looking at these models, along with the teaching model around the Harkness Table for our (Acacia) mentor program.

Interesting. My favorite has always been the Great Books model; although all the Experimentals are a close second. That's why EXCO interests me. I find Landmark very appropriately named. Let us know how Acacia chooses to apply these models in its mentor program.

[AOII Angel]

Centenary College of Louisiana in Shreveport, Louisiana is consistently well regarded as a small liberal arts college. It's a Methodist associated school. I have several friends from Med School who graduated from there. http://www.centenary.edu/accolades