The Midwest of the United States is a large piece in the center of the country consisting of 12 states.
Each state has its own unique identity. Some of the states are part of the Great Lakes region, which includes Lake Michigan, the only lake located entirely within the US.
The largest city in the Midwest is Chicago, a center of industry and innovation. However, other states like Michigan and Ohio are known for their breathtaking landscapes.
The area is also known for its live music scene, including jazz, bluegrass, rock and roll, blues and funk.
So, before you choose the institution you want to study at, check out the best universities in the Midwest based on the data collected for Times Higher Education US College Rankings.
Illinois
Home to the “Windy City” – Chicago – Illinois is a state of great industry and agricultural productivity. The Port of Chicago is connected to a number of other world ports, and Chicago O'Hare International Airport is considered one of the busiest in the world.
One of the highest-ranked universities is Northwestern University, which includes Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex among its alumni, as well as 19 Nobel Prize winners, 38 Pulitzer Prize winners and 16 Rhodes Scholars.
The University of Chicago is one of the top universities in the state as well as the country. It ranks particularly highly for arts and humanities, natural sciences, law and psychology.
It's also worth checking out the various campuses of the University of Illinois system, which has campuses in Chicago, Springfield, and Urbana-Champaign.
Indiana
Indiana's flagship university, the University of Notre Dame, was founded with the goal of being one of America's great Catholic universities. Although it remains true to its religious roots, it is now “dedicated to religious belief no less than scientific fact” and stands for “values in a world of facts”.
Other universities in the state of Indiana include the Purdue University system with campuses in West Lafayette, Hammond, and Fort Wayne among others. It is well known for its engineering program.
Other universities include Valparaiso University which was one of the first coeducational colleges in the United States and the liberal arts college Earlham College.
Iowa
The top university in Iowa is the liberal arts college Grinnell College. The college has an innovative academic structure that allows students to choose their own classes with the guidance of faculty members.
The University of Iowa is a national research university, home to the world-renowned Iowa Writers' Lab, which has won 13 Pulitzer Prizes. Unesco has since designated Iowa City of Literature.
If you don't like it, then there are a total of 17 universities to choose from, including Dordt University, Drake University, and Iowa State University.
Kansas
Kansas is known as “the sunflower state”. The wild sunflower is its official flower and appears on the state flag.
With four universities in Kansas in total, the University of Kansas is the largest and highest institution. With five campuses spread across the state, the university's areas of specialization include aerospace, civil and petroleum engineering, rural medicine, nursing and occupational therapy.
Other universities include Kansas State University, Wichita State University, and Benedictine College.
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Michigan
Michigan is part of the Great Lakes region of the US and is located on the shores of Lake Michigan, the only lake located entirely in the United States. It is well known for its scenic landscapes and outdoor pursuits, so it would be ideal for a student who loves the outdoors.
When it comes to higher education institutions, you will find many great universities in Michigan.
From the University of Michigan, one of the largest research universities in the US, to the specialist university Michigan Technological University and the liberal arts college Albion College, there are 27 universities to choose from.
Minnesota
Minnesota is home to a large number of lakes, making it the “Land of 10,000 Lakes.” The state has 72 state parks and recreation areas and 58 state forests.
Amidst all this natural beauty there are 23 universities for students to choose from.
The highest ranked is Carleton College, a small, private, liberal arts college in the historic river town of Northfield.
Or if you prefer a larger institution, then there is the University of Minnesota system which has multiple campuses across the state and over 50,000 enrolled students.
Missouri
Missouri is a state that combines the culture of the south of the country with that of the Midwest. The musical styles of ragtime, Kansas City jazz, and St. Louis blues developed in Missouri, and the music scene is still prominent today. It is also an important center of beer production.
One of the top universities, Washington University in St. Louis, has been associated with 24 Nobel laureates while Saint Louis University awarded its first PhD in aviation in 2013, and sports are a big part of its student life.
In total, there are 18 universities to choose from.
Nebraska
Sports are a big deal in the state of Nebraska, especially varsity baseball. The College World Series, one of college baseball's biggest events, takes place in the city of Omaha every year.
Omaha is also home to one of the best zoos in the world, the Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium.
The universities in Nebraska are equally high quality, with Creighton University, a Jesuit Catholic university. Doane University, a private liberal arts college, and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, which is an excellent institution for international students.
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North Dakota
North Dakota is one of the most sparsely populated states in the US.
It also has just two ranked universities. The University of North Dakota is the oldest and largest university in the state.
The other university you could choose to attend is North Dakota State University.
Ohio
The state of Ohio is named after the Ohio River, meaning “good river,” “big river,” or big creek.
Case Western Reserve University is a private research university in Ohio's largest city – Cleveland. It is ranked by the Carnegie Foundation as a university with very high research activity.
Ohio State University was originally founded as an agricultural and engineering college that also offered a broad curriculum in English and ancient foreign languages – and still does today.
The state also offers specialty colleges (Columbus College of Art & Design), religious universities (Franciscan University of Steubenville), and liberal arts colleges (Oberlin College).
South Dakota
The state of South Dakota is bisected by the Missouri River. The two halves are very different and are known as “West River” and “East River”.
South Dakota is home to three ranked universities that students can choose from. The University of South Dakota is the oldest institution in the state, while Augustana University is a private, liberal arts college.
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is known as “America's Dairyland” because it is one of the top producers of dairy products in the United States, especially known for its cheese.
The University of Wisconsin system is one of the largest public systems of higher education in the country. It enrolls more than 174,000 students each year and has 13 campuses.
If that doesn't take your fancy, then there are plenty of other institutions to choose from, including the Catholic institution Marquette University, the liberal arts college and conservatory of Lawrence University, the Milwaukee School of Engineering and Beloit College, the oldest college in Wisconsin.
