The University of Oregon, Eugene

The UO sits right in the Willamette Valley, and is an easy drive to the Cascade Mountains and the Pacific Ocean. The UO is celebrated for its research artistry and total commitment to teaching. 9 different schools and colleges make up the university, made up of students that are creative, smart, and increasingly diverse. The university works hard to celebrate their success and work diligently to provide inspiring educational opportunities not only in the classroom, but beyond. Enrollment is capped at about 25,000—it has been dubbed the ideal number for a residential campus. It is not too large to make students feel lost in the hustle, but not so small that they feel like they have no privacy. The UO retention rate for freshmen is an astonishing 87% with the average GPA of entering students being 3.58.

The diversity of UO is outstanding as well—28% of freshmen are made up of ethnic and racial minorities, and 26% of freshmen are first generation college students. 38% of UO freshmen receive federal Pell grants. UO is just 1 of the 2 schools that are in the Pacific Northwest that were selected to be members of the Association of American Universities, a group of 62 of the leading public and private research institutions within the United States and Canada. The student to teacher ratio is 17 students per teacher, with the median class size being 20 students. There are over 300 degrees and certificates available for students to choose from.

Kent State University

The School of Library and Information Science at Kent State University has changed so much over the last 60 years in order to better serve information professionals and the organizations that are looking to employ them. The iSchool offers two Master's programs that are totally online for the convenience of its students. The school is proud to say that the faculty is made up of world-known researchers and is the largest graduate program at the university. The SLIS prepares students for a success in a number of various career paths by teaching skills and education that are vital to this niche. Information professionals are in high demand in each sector of society like public libraries, local schools, government offices, and major corporations. Every semester students all over the world are graduating from college and will change jobs and careers multiple times over the years. Kent State University will prepare students for many different career outlooks. The mission of the iSchool is to change the global information environment through dynamic learning, interdisciplinary synergy, and innovative research. The students, faculty, and alumni are working hard to do this each day. One of the main principles is to prepare students so that they will be successful information and knowledge professionals. Additionally, the school works to foster research and scholarship, as well as enrich society through collaborating with diverse communities of practice. Lastly, the school works to advance their own role as a unique, comprehensive, exemplary, and professional school of library and information science.

Kent State University

The vision of Kent State is to be a community individuals that promote change and have a collective commitment to learning and will ignite critical thinking, a meaningful voice, and extremely valuable outcomes that will better society as a whole. The university works to transform lives and communities through the power of learning, discovery, and creative expression within an inclusive environment. Here, students will find a unique blend of teaching, research, as well as creative excellence. Active inquiry and incredible discovery will expand the knowledge and understanding of humans. Students will get a life-changing educational experience that will perfectly complement a wide range of talents and aspirations. They will also enjoy feeling a real sense of place with the special learning-living environment. Diversity is vital within the university, blending many cultures, beliefs, identities, and thoughts. The engagement provided by faculty, staff, and students alike will inspire positive change around the globe. It is a collaborative community that paves the way for freedom of expression and freedom of ideas, stressing kindness, respect, and purpose in all that is done within the university.

The top priority of the university is to make sure that students receive the experiences, education, and support that they need in order to graduate and live successful yet satisfying lives regarding their work and their commitment to become an engaged citizen. The university gives great attention to academic quality and student success, with focus being on the recruitment of talented students and continues on with the commitment to support these students as they grow in this academically challenging environment.

Rutgers University

Rutgers University was founded in 1766 and is a leading national public research university, and New Jersey's comprehensive, leading public institution of higher learning. It is the institution of choice of more than 58,000 students from every single state in the nation and 125 different countries. The mission of Rutgers University is to prepare students so that they will become productive members of society and good citizens of the globe. This is made possible by the 13,000 individuals that make up the faculty and staff—including some that are Pulitzer Prize winners, Nobel Prize winners, Guggenheim Fellows, and more. When students choose Rutgers online they are able to make a path for themselves to pursue what is next without putting their career and personal life on hold. The online degree programs offer the same advantages that an on campus education has, with the flexibility and convenience of learning from anywhere. Rutgers University Online allows students to take classes at their own pace, finishing their degree in as little as two years. All that is needed is a computer that has an internet connection to take advantage of the flexible and comprehensive programs from RU Online. Students will gain access to the alumni network, and attend their online classes with professionals from various industries and at different points of their career, allowing all students great opportunities to network. There are multiple start dates throughout the year, allowing students to start when the time is best for them and their situation.

Rutgers University

Called the State University of New Jersey, Rutgers is one of the leading national research universities. It is also New Jersey's preeminent and comprehensive public institution for higher education. It was established in 1766, and it is the 8th oldest institution for higher education within the United States. This establishment boasts about 69,000 students and 22,000 individuals that are both full time or part time staff and faculty that learn, work, and serve at Rutgers locations not only in New Jersey but around the world. It can be said that Rutgers is the premier comprehensive research university for the public and has a mission to explicitly provide the instructional needs for the citizens of New Jersey through the undergraduate, graduate, and programs for continuing education. Rutgers also prides itself on conducting the most cutting-edge research that will contribute to the environmental, medical, social, and cultural needs of the state, as well as helping the state's economy, businesses, and industries. Additionally, the university also performs its own public service by supporting the needs of the citizens of the state as well as its governments on all levels. Rutgers university is dedicated to providing an education that will meet the highest standards of excellence so that it can conduct groundbreaking research and provide many solutions, services, and clinical care that will help numerous individuals within the local, national, and even global communities that need it the most. Of all campuses, there are almost 300 research centers and institutes, allowing students many opportunities for growth and practice.