Although for-profit universities make up an increasing percentage of post-secondary schools, nonprofit institutions still predominate. These not-for-profit institutions are committed to providing a quality education for their students and returning any excess funds back to university coffers. A number of America's finest institutions of higher learning use this business model.
DePaul
DePaul University is the eighth-largest private, not-for-profit university in America, according to its website. The university is also the nation's largest institution of higher learning with a primary mission of teaching and service rather than research. It has a student to faculty ratio of 17:1 and offers approximately $338 million in financial aid yearly. Programs to study abroad are offered in over 30 countries. The university strives to foster social responsibility and community involvement.
DePaul University 1 E. Jackson Chicago, IL 60604 (312)362-8000 www.depaul.edu
Vanderbilt
Vanderbilt University, a private, not-for-profit institution located in Nashville, Tennessee, is one of the country's most prominent teaching and research universities. It has over 12,000 students and a student to teacher ratio of 8:1. Vanderbilt offers undergraduate programs in the liberal arts and sciences and has a school of business as well as medical and law schools. Vanderbilt is the second-largest employer in Tennessee that is based in the state.
Vanderbilt University 2305 West End Ave. Nashville, TN 37303 www.vanderbilt.edu
Stanford
Stanford University is recognized as one of America's leading teaching and research universities. US News & World Report ranks Stanford number-four on its 2010 list of best universities. The school has a policy of admitting any qualified student regardless of ability to pay. It has seven graduate schools and over 8,000 post-graduate students. Stanford's faculty includes 16 Nobel Prize winners and 23 MacArthur Fellows, according to the school's website.
Stanford University 450 Serra Mall Stanford, CA (650)723-2300 www.stanford.edu
Rice
Rice University is a large, well respected, not-for-profit institution of higher learning located in Houston,Texas. The Princeton Review ranks Rice number-seven among its "Best Value" private colleges. Rice has a diverse student body with students from all 50 states and 82 foreign countries. The school has a low student-to-faculty ratio of 5:1 and a median class size of 15. It offers federal and state grants, merit scholarships and employment to assist needy students.
Rice University P.O. Box 1892 Houston, TX 77251-1892 (713)348-7423 www.rice.edu
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Writer Bio
Mark Pendergast has worked as a freelance writer since 2007, focusing on topics such as health, sports and finance. He has worked as a newspaper reporter and librarian and has written for the "Northside Sun" and "Jackpot," among other publications. Pendergast holds a Bachelor of Arts from Millsaps College.