Colleges are not all the same. Different colleges and universities have different missions (or functions, or goals). While no two are exactly alike, most colleges fit into one or more of the following categories.

Liberal Arts Colleges focus on the education of undergraduate students. Classes are genarlly taught by professors who see teaching as their prinary responsibilty. Because most liberal arts colleges are smaller than unviersities classes tend to be smaller and more personal attention is available. As opposed to preparation for a specific career path, studens who atend libral arts collegs are exposed to broad base of courses in the humanities, social sciences and sciences. In addtion, they select a least one area of in- depth study which is their college “major.” Many employers look for graduates of liberal arts programs, valuing their well-rounded preparation.

Universites are generally larger and include a liberal arts college, as well as some professionally-oriented collges and graduate programs. Universities offer a greater range of academic choices than do liberal arts collegs. They will like provide more extensive resources in terms of library, laboratory, fine arts and athletic facilities. At many large unviersities class size will reflect instutiaonl size, with most introductory classes being taught in a lecture format.

Techncial Institutions and Specialized schools : Enroll students who have made clear decisions about what they want to study and emphasize preparaton for specfic careers, for example in music or arts, engineering or technical sciences. You will want to be quite sure of your future direction before selecting one of these options.

Women Colleges have larger numbers of female faculty and administrators, offer women confidence-building role models, greater opportunities to serve in a full range of student leadership positions and a heightened awareness of career possibilities for women.

Community or 2 year colleges generally offer the first two years of a liberal arts education, in addition to specialized occupational preparation. An associate degree is awarded at the end of two-year program of studies; many students continue their education at a four-year institution.

Public Universities typically operate under the supervision of state governments and are funded, in part, by tax dollars and subsidies from the state. As a result, these universities often offer discounted tuition to residents of their states. Public schools run the gamut from small liberal arts colleges to large research institutions.

Test Optional Schools allow students to choose what test scores to submit, or in some cases, don't require any tests at all. For a more complete list, visit the National Center for Fair and Open Testing.

Liberal Arts Colleges Stanford University, CA Saint Xavier University, IL (Top 10 rank) Massachusetts Institute of Saint John's University, MN Williams College, MA Technology University of Notre Dame, IN Amherst College, MA Duke University, NC Private Illinois Wellesley College, MA University of Pennsylvania, Universities Middlebury College, VT John Hopkins University, MD Bradley University

Swarthmore College, PA Concordia University Chicago Bowdoin College, ME* Illinois Community Elmhurst College Carleton College, MN Colleges Illinois Wesleyan University Pomona College, CA Harold Washington College Lake Forest College* Davidson College, NC Morton College, Cicero IL Monmouth College Claremont McKenna College, Richard J. Daley College National Louis University MN Malcolm X College Colgate University, NY Public Illinois Grinnell College, IA Women’s Colleges Universities St. Olaf’s College, MN Barnard College, NY Chicago State University Skidmore College, NY Bryn Mawr College, PA* Eastern Illinois University U.S Naval Academy, MD College of Saint Benedict, MN Governor State University Mount Holyoke College, MA * Illinois State University Top Engineering & Scripps College, CA Northern Illinois University Technology Universities Smith College, MA* Northeastern Illinois Massachusetts Institute of Wellesley College, MA University Stanford University, CA Southern Illinois University University of California, Jesuit College/ University of Illinois Urbana- Berkeley Universities Champaign (UIUC) California Institute of Boston College, MA University of Illinois at Chicago Technology, CA College of the Holy Cross, MA* (UIC) Carnegie Mellon University, PA Georgetown University, DC Western Illinois University University of Michigan-Ann Loyola University Chicago *Test Optional Arbor 2 Year College: Arrupe College Colleges & Universities Georgia Institute of of Loyola University Bates College, ME Technology, GA Loyola University New Orleans, Bryn Mawr College, PA University of Illinois-Urbana- LA Champaign Marquette University, WI Colorado College, CO Purdue University-West Santa Clara University, CA Cornell College, IA Lafayette University of San Francisco, CA Connecticut College, CT University of Texas-Austin Xavier University, OH Dickinson College, PA National University Franklin & Marshall College, PA Rankings Catholic Colleges/ Knox College, IL Lawrence University, WI Princeton University, NJ Universities Muhlenberg College, PA Harvard University, MA DePaul University* Pitzer College, CA University of Chicago Dominican University, IL

Yale University, CT Loras College, IA Source: U.S. News and World Report Columbia College, NY Providence College, RI* 2017