The 33 Safest Colleges in Indiana for 2016

Indiana

The state of Indiana is located in the regional Midwest south of the Great Lakes. Although it is the 38th largest state, it is also the 16th most populous. There are over 6.5 million residents in total. Local economy has long relied on small industrial cities. Major sports teams include the Indianapolis Colts as well as motorsport racing teams. The state is home to metropolis centers like Indianapolis, as well as top ranked universities nationwide.

For the sake of this list , a “college” is considered any accredited public or private not-for-profit institution that offers four-year degree programs. Campus crime stats, graduation rates, and student retention rates were taken from U.S. Department of Education annual reports. Campus crime rates are based on the number of crimes per 1,000 residents.

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#1 Huntington University

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Huntington University is a member institution of the Council of Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU), located in Huntington, Indiana. Just over 1,000 students are enrolled in the school. Students have the opportunity to choose from more than 70 academic tracks, including popular majors like film, exercise science, and social work. Huntington is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics as well as the National Christian Central College Conference.

#2 Indiana University-Kokomo

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Also called IUK or IU, Indiana University-Kokomo belongs to the Indiana University system. This North Central Association of Colleges and School institution welcomes over 4,000 students each year, including undergraduates. IUK maintains a 18:1 student ratio and offers 60 degrees, including informatics, criminal justice, business and education as well as master’s programs and associate degrees.

#3 Goshen College

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Goshen College is a small school of 775 undergraduate students with ties to the Mennonite Church USA. Goshen boasts an extensive book collection at the Mennonite Historical Library, with 75,000 available volumes. Academics include pre-professional programs like pre-architecture, pre-law, pre-engineering, pre-seminary, and pre-veterinary. As part of a study-service term, students are require to study abroad for a semester or enroll in an intercultural experience.

#4 Bethel College-Indiana

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Located in Mishawaka, Indiana, Bethel College is associated with the evangelical Christian Missionary Church. Bethel is a liberal arts institution that enrolls approximately 2,000 students each year including undergraduate and graduate students. All students take Bible courses in addition to traditional liberal arts classes. The institution belongs to the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics and Division II basketball.

#5 Indiana Wesleyan University

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The private, evangelical institution, Indiana Wesleyan University, is located in Marion, Indiana. IWU is considered the largest private university in the state. It is also a member of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities. The school over 15,000 students each year, including undergraduate and graduate students. Students can choose from 87 undergraduate majors as well as professional educational programs. Wesleyan has won awards for its expansive and picturesque campus, which spans 345 acres.

#6 University of Saint Francis-Indiana

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The University of Saint Francis-Indiana is associated with the Roman Catholic Church and Franciscan values. Most students, totally nearly 2,000 undergraduates, hail from the Midwest. The university is home to several notable buildings on campus, including the Brookside Mansion, Pope John Paul II Center, and the Mimi and Ian Rolland Art and Visual Communication Center. A satellite campus is located in Crown Point, Indiana. Colleges include  the School of Creative Arts, School of Health Sciences, School of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Keith Busse School of Business and Entrepreneurial Leadership.

#7 Grace College & Seminary

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Grace College and Seminary educates students with a foundation of biblical values and character. The main campus of 165 acres is located in Winona Lake. Students choose from programs at the School of Arts and Sciences, School of Behavioral Sciences, School of Business, School of Ministry aStudies, and the School of Professional & Online Education. Campus activities include athletics (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics), the college newspaper (The Sounding Board), and weekly chapel sessions.

#8 Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology

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The small private college, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, is located in Terre haute, Indiana. The center for higher education focuses on teaching engineering, mathematics, and science. The student is comprised of approximately 2,233 undergraduate and 70 graduate students. Rose-Hulman’s membership with the College Consortium of Western Indiana allows students to take classes at other schools within the Indiana State University as well as Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College. Student life consists of Greek Life, honor societies, the performing arts, and athletics.

#9 Indiana University-Southeast

Indiana University-Southeast is located in Floyd County, Indiana, and also considered within the Louisville , Kentucky metropolitan area. About 5,700 undergraduate students and 1,100 postgraduate students study at the school. Common areas of focus include nursing, business, and education. The school offers 55 degree programs in total for seekers of associate’s, bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Students can participate in Greek Life, athletics, and student media.

#10 Anderson University

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As a member of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities, Anderson University is a Christian liberal arts university. The school has consistenyl ranked high in national polls as a top Midwestern university. There are over 2,000 students at Anderson University each year. Areas of study include business, education, the humanities, performing arts, nursing, behavioral science, and theology. Students can choose from over 100 extracurricular activities, including, Jazz Ensemble, dance team, rugby, Model UN, gospel choir, College Mentor for Kids, as well as social clubs and campus ministries.

#11 Purdue University-Calumet

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Purdue University-Calumet, in association with the Purdue University system, is located in Hammond, in northwest Indiana. The main campus is 25 miles from downtown Chicago. Approximately 9,500 students total attend the university each year. Schools include the College of Business, College of Education, the College of Engineering, Mathematics, and Science, the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, the College of Nursing, and the College of Technology as well as the graduate school. The university belongs to the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA).

#12 Valparaiso University

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Also referred to as Valpo, Valparaiso University is a four-year private institution situated in Valparaiso, Indiana. About 4,500 come to Valpo each year from more than 50 countries. It is known as the largest independent Lutheran university in the country, with five schools of undergraduate study, as well as a graduate and law school. Valpo is comprised of the Old Campus and a new campus, which includes the Brauer museum of Art, Christopher Center Library, Arts and Science Center,James S. Markiewicz Solar Energy Research Facility, and Harre Union among other facilities.

#13 Indiana University-Northwest

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Gary, Indiana is home to the Indiana University-Northwest, or IU Northwest. About 6,300 students, of whom nearly 6,000 are undergraduates, attend the 35 acre campus. Most undergraduates are full-time students, although part-time and evening programs are also available. Schools include the College of Arts and Sciences, College of Health and Human Services, School of Business and Economics, School of Education, Division of Continuing Studies, Division of Labor Studies, Library and Information Science, as well as pre-professional programs.

#14 Purdue University 

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Purdue University’s main campus is located in West Lafayette, Indiana. The institution was originally founded as a school of science, technology, and agriculture. Today, Purdue offers over 200 majors to undergraduate students and more than 70 master’s programs. Purdue belongs to the Big Ten Conference. The school ranks fourth for international student enrollment. Campus landmarks include the Purdue Mall, Memorial Mall, South Campus, West Campus, and Stadium Avenue.

#15 Manchester University

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Manchester University enrolls 1,500 students in the liberal arts  disciplines each year. Campus is located in North Manchester as well as a second campus in Fort Wayne, Indiana (College of Pharmacy). The university operates on a 4-1-4 schedule, meaning a fourth month semester, followed by a January session, and then another four month session. Undergraduate students choose between 38 majors. Students can choose to participate in more than 60 organizations, including a cappella choir, black student union, accounting and business, campus interfaith board, dance team,concert band, Habitat for Humanity, Indiana Reading Corps, and economics club.

#16 University of Southern Indiana

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Just beyond Evansville, Indiana sits the University of Southern Indiana, or USI. There are nearly 11,000 students at the institution, including undergraduates and graduate students. USI belongs to the American Association of State Colleges and Universities. It is also a Division II participant in the NCAA. Students choose from more than 70 undergraduate majors, 10 master’s, and one doctoral program

#17 Indiana University-Purdue University-Fort Wayne

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Indiana University-Purdue University-Fort Wayne is a private coeducational school functioning under Indiana University and Purdue University. Each year, almost 13,500 undergraduate and graduate students attend the university. Campus consists of Indian University School of Medicine academic building, as well as other academic facilities, the National Recreation Trail, and the Fort wayne Rivergreenway. Student athletes can participates in Division I sports (14 men’s and women’s teams).

#18 Indiana University-South Bend

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Also within the Indiana University System is Indiana University South Bend of St. Joseph County. IUSB is the third largest university campus in the system. Annually, 8,000 students attend the college. Students choose to study communication, business and economics, health science, education, liberal arts and sciences, and social work. Student organizations include student government, Greek Life, and a weekly student publication: The Preface, along with other student clubs.

#19 University of Indianapolis

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Sometimes referred to as UIndy, the University of Indianapolis is a associated with the United Methodist Church. A student population of more than 5,400 can choose between associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees. The school boasts 23 athletic varsity teams. Teams compete in Division II NCAA athletics.

#20 University of Evansville

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The University of Evansville is a private school founded in 1854. The school has an association with the United Methodist Church and offers degrees in the liberal arts and sciences. In addition to its Indiana campus, the University of Evansville also runs a satellite campus in Grantham, England, known as Harlaxton College. The latter is a popular study abroad destination for students at the Indiana campus. Undergraduate and graduate students make up approximately 2,500 students. The school is famously renowned for its theatre department, producing alumni that have gone on to star in television and film.

#21 Indiana Institute of Technology

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Indiana Tech, or the Indiana Institute of Technology, private and non-profit institution located in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Academically, the university is well-regarded for its programs in business, computer science, criminal justice, education and engineering. Almost 10,000 undergraduate and graduate students attend the school. Campus athletic teams participate in the NAIA, both men’s and women’s teams.

#22 University of Notre Dame

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The Catholic research institution, the University of Notre Dame, is situated beside South Bend, Indiana. The campus spans 1,250 acres and hosts many famous landmarks, including the “World of Life” mural, more lovingly called Touchdown Jesus. Academic and student life activities are based on Catholic teachings and sense of character. Athletic teams compete at the Division I level, including the school’s 11 time national championship football team. Approximately 12,000 student choose between degrees in the humanities, sciences, engineering, and business, among others.

#23 Wabash College

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Operating out of Crawfordsville, Indiana, Wabash College is an all men’s college of liberal arts. It is only one of three all-male liberal arts colleges in the nation. There are approximately 900 undergraduates each year. Academic departments are focused in the natural sciences, humanities and arts, and social sciences. Students participate in extracurricular organizations such as fraternities and athletics.

#24 Indiana University-Purdue University-Indianapolis (IUPUI)

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Indiana University-Purdue University-Indianapolis (IUPUI) is located in Indianapolis and is a public research university. A total of 30,000 students attend the school, one third of which are graduate students. Students choose from over 200 degree programs. Both the Indian University School of Medicine and the Indian University School of Dentistry are located on campus. Students are encouraged to engage with their communities; many clubs offer opportunities to volunteer in various capacities.

#25 Butler University

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Butler University is located in Indianapolis, Indiana. There are approximately 4,000 undergraduate students and 600 graduate students. Colleges include the College of Communication, the College of Education, the College of Business, the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the College of Pharmacy and Health Science, and the Jordan College of the Arts. Main campus is only about five miles from downtown Indianapolis. Butler is well known for its experimental theatre work and also boasts an Institute for Study Abroad.

#26 Trine University

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Trine University, with 2,000 students at tis main campus, is a private, non-profit school located in Angola, Indiana. Satellite campuses are located in Arizona, Michigan, and other cities within Indiana. Key areas of study include education, engineering, business, and the arts and sciences.Students can pursue associate, bachelor, master’s and doctoral degrees. Student life activities consist of Greek Life, athletics, and Christian ministry, among others.

#27 Marian University-Indiana

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Affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church, Marian University is home to 2,700 students. The 200 acre campus is located in Indianapolis. In 2009, former Marian College was renamed Marian University. Popular campus buildings include the Nina Mason Pulliam EcoLab, The Lake Sullivan Sports Complex, and The Riverdale Estate. Studentschoose from 36 majors and 37 minors. Student life activities include student government, business clubs, Greek Life, and the Knights athletic teams.

#28 Ball State University

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Ball State University of Muncie, Indiana is a public research university. The institution is home to 20,000 student, one fourth of which are graduate level students. Colleges include but are not limited to the College of Architecture and Planning, the College of Communication, Information and Media, the Indian Academy for Science, and the Center for Business and Economic Research. The student body hails from 48 states, and 43 countries. Students attend events such as the Ball State Cardinal football games.

#29 Franklin College

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The liberal arts institution known as Franklin College welcomes over 1,000 students each year. Historically, Franklin was the first college in the state and third in the nation to enroll female students in 1842. Today’s campus spans 187 acres. Prominent landmarks include the athletics fields, woodland area for biological research, Old Main, Johnson Center for Fine Arts, and the Hamilton Library. An estimated 40% of students participate in Greek Life.

#30 Indiana University-Bloomington

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Indiana University Bloomington, or IU, welcomes over 40,000 students each year. As a member of the Association of American Universities, IU boasts the Jacobs School of Music, the School of Public Health, the Kelley School of Business, and the Maurer School of Law, among others. In the fall of 2014, students hailed from 49 states and 159 countries. The campus has topped lists as one of the most beautiful in the country. Students can enjoy an extensive library, multiple art and culture museums and a host of extracurriculars including Big Ten Conference athletics.

#31 Martin University

 

Martin University is situated in Indianapolis. It maintains today its original mission in 1977 of especially serving students from disadvantaged backgrounds. There are approximately 700 students in total, undergraduate and graduate. With an emphasis on non-traditional students, the school also supports an andragogy learning approach where adult students are welcome to bring in their personal life experiences to aid in learning and teaching objectives. Degree programs include biology, chemistry, sociology, criminal justice, religious studies, and addiction counseling, among others.

#32 Indiana State University

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Indiana State University, or ISU, is  a public learning institution situated in Terre Haute, Indiana. It has consistenyl ranked high among other top Midwest universities. About 13,000 students attend the university each year, including undergraduate and postgraduate students. As a member of the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll, Indiana State has maintained its reputation for public service. The university is part of a Laptop Initiative which ensures all students are able to learn with the aid of a laptop computers.  Students are able to choose from 90 academic programs.

#33 Saint Joseph’s College-Indiana

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Saint Joseph’s College, or Saint Joe as students refer to it, is located in Rensselaer, Indiana. Almost 2,000 students attend the school annually. The school is well-regarded for its CORE program of history, political science, natural science, literature, and philosophy. Saint Joe boasts a 97% employment rate for graduating seniors within a year of academic completion.  Students participate in NCAA Division II athletics, including baseball, tennis, soccer, basketball, and football.

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The 49 Safest Colleges in Illinois

Illinois

The state of Illinois is located in the midwest region of the United States, bordered by Wisconsin, Iowa, Missouri, Kentucky, and Indiana. While the metropolitan area of Chicago expands throughout the upper northeast, the southern part of the state remains mostly rural. Primary industries include coal, timber, and petroleum. O’Hare International Airport is located just outside Chicago, and is considered on of the busiest airports in the world. Almost 13 million people live in the state of Illinois. The Chicago River and Lake Michigan both serve the state directly.

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For the sake of this list , a “college” is considered any accredited public or private not-for-profit institution that offers four-year degree programs. Campus crime stats, graduation rates, and student retention rates were taken from U.S. Department of Education annual reports. Campus crime rates are based on the number of crimes per 1,000 residents.

#1 Wheaton College-Illinois

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Wheaton College in Illinois is a four-year, non-profit school 25 miles west of Chicago. The school is aligned with evangelical Protestant teachings. A student body of 3,000, including undergraduate and postgraduate, hail from all 50 states as well as 50 other countries, including. The institution has consistently ranked high as a liberal arts college. Wheaton belongs to the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools and offers 40 majors to students, in the liberal arts and sciences.

#2 Moody Bible Institute

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Located near the North Side of Chicago, Moody Bible Institute is a Christian school founded in 1886. A second campus can be found in Spokane, Washington as well as a graduate campus in Plymouth, Michigan. MBI seeks to train students for full-time ministry work. It’s accredited by the Higher Learning Commission as well as the Association for Biblical Higher Education and National Association of Music. Common majors include biblical studies, theology, and a bachelor of music degree in sacred music.

#3 Lewis University

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The Roman Catholic and Lasallian institution, Lewis University, is located in Romeoville, Illinois. The student body is comprised of undergraduate and graduate students, approximately 6,500 in total. Students have a choice of more than 80 undergraduate majors or 22 graduate programs. Colleges include the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Business, the College of Education, the College of Nursing and Health Professions, and the School for Professional and Continuing Education.

#4 University of St.Francis-Illinois

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A Catholic (Franciscan) institution, University of St.Francis is located in Joliet, Illinois. About 1,300 student attend the school each year. The campus spans across 22 acres southwest of Chicago. Notable buildings include the City Center Campus, Tower Hall, the Pat Sullivan Recreation Center, and the Motherhouse.

#5 Trinity Christian College

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Trinity Christian College is located in Palos Heights Illinois, near Chicago. The institution is a four-year liberal arts college which offers 70 programs in which to focus. Core curriculum studies include philosophy, history, English, and philosophy. Recent expansions have brought about programs such as information technology, graphic design, social work , exercise science, and communication disorders. The study body includes more than 1,000 students. The school encourages missionary and study abroad programs, to countries such as Kenya, Ecuador, and Spain, along with many others. Two master’s programs, counseling psychology and special education, are new to the school’s academic programs.

#6 National Louis University

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National Louis Univeristy, or NLU, is located near Chicago, with additional campuses in Wisconsin, Florida, and Poland. NLU maintains a reputation it has long held as a leader in professional training of early childhood education theory. The university houses the School of Business and Management, the School of Health and Human Services, and the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences.

#7 School of the Art Institute of Chicago

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SAIC, formally referred to as the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, specializes in art and design. Both undergraduate and graduate degrees are offered. The school has been ranked in several polls as a top art school in the country. SAIC belongs to the National Association of Schools of Art and Design and hosts approximately 10,000 undergraduate and graduate students each year.

#8 Aurora University

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This liberal arts college hosts 5,000 students each year pursuing bachelor, master, and doctoral degrees. The school is located in Aurora, Illinois, 40 miles from downtown Chicago. Popular majors include education, nursing and business, and online education and social work programs. Aurora’s campus stretches across 32 acres, including residence halls, the Phillips Library, Parolini Music Center, and the Wackerlin Center for Faith and Action.

#9 Dominican University

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Dominican University is a private Catholic institution located in River Forest, Illinois. In addition to bachelor’s and master’s programs, PhD programs are also available. Popular programs include majors in the Rosary College of Arts and Sciences, as well as information science, business, and social work.

#10 Elmhurst College

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A four-year liberal arts institution, Elmhurst College is situated in a suburb of Chicago. Approximately 3,350 students attend the school each year. Facilities include many academic buildings, in addition to theaters, gyms, tennis courts, and student life centers. Since admittance of Japanese racial minorities in 1943 who has been sent to live in internment camps, Elmhurst College has a long-bolstered reputation for social justice.

#11 Northeastern Illinois University

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The community of North Park is home to Northeastern Illinois University, a public state school in Chicago. Additional campuses are focused in the metropolitan area. Over 10,000 undergraduate and graduate students attend the school each year. The student body is 39% White, 32% Hispanic, 10% African American, and 9% Asian. Students earn degrees from one of three colleges: the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Business and Management, and the College of Education.

#12 Lincoln Christian University

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Lincoln Christian University is a four-year, co-ed institution that promotes Christian teachings and a broadened world perspective. The main campus is located in Lincoln, while additional campuses are located in Normal, Illinois; Indianapolis, Indiana, and Las Vegas, Nevada. The residential Bible college offers certificates, and associate and bachelor degrees. The Seminary also offers master’s programs such as a Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry. LSU belongs to the National Christina College Athletic Association (NCCAA).

#13 Concordia University Chicago

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Situated in River Forest, Illinois, Concordia University Chicago is a Lutheran liberal arts school. Over 5,000 undergraduates and graduate students attend the school. Colleges include the College of Arts and Sciences, College of Education, the College of Business, and the College of Graduate and Innovative Programs. The institution is associated with the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.

#14 Trinity International University Deerfield

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The Trinity International University, or TIU, is located in Deerfield, Illinois. Undergraduate and graduate students total about 3,000. The school is home to a theological seminary, as well as the Trinity Law School in Santa Ana, California. The school is accredited by the Commission on the Institution of Higher Education of the north Central Association of Colleges and Schools. Athletics at the school include men’s baseball, soccer and cross country as well as women’s volleyball, softball, and cross country, among other sports.

#15 Loyola University Chicago

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A Catholic university, founded by Jesuits, Loyola University Chicago has a long list of notable alumni including current Speaker of the House, a top-level executive at McDonalds, and several other alumni who have gone on to win Emmy, Grammy, Peabody, and Pulitzer awards. Loyola welcomes approximately 16,000 students each year. More than 80 undergrad and 140 graduate programs are offered to student. The school operates 6 campuses in the Chicago area, as well as international programs in Beijing and Ho Chi Minh City.

#16 Northwestern University

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This private university, Northwestern University, is headquartered in Evanston, Illinois. Additional campuses are located in Chicago, San Francisco, and Qatar. The university offers students 124 undergraduate degrees, and 145 graduate degrees. NU is known as a prominent research institution with an extensive doctoral programs. Northwestern originally founded the Big Ten Conference and today continues to compete in the NCAA’s Division I Big Ten Conference.

#17 Judson University 

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The Christian liberal arts school, Judson University, is located in Elgin, Illinois. The university is a result of the Northern Baptist Theological Seminary. About 1,300 students attend the school each year. ore than 60 undergraduate are offered by the school and is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, the only private Christian univeristy to do so. Fine arts such as theater, music, and art and design are incorporated into programs of study as well as extracurriculars.

#18 Benedictine University

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Benedictine University is a private Roman Catholic school out of Chicago. The school was founded in 1887 by the Benedictine monk of St. Procopius Abbey. Central location of the university makes internship and employments opportunities more readily available. Students choose between 56 majors in subjects such as human resource management, exercise and sports studies, clinical psychology, finance, linguistics, and public health.

#19 Saint Xavier University

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Saint Xavier University on the southside of Chicago is a four-year, co-ed school. The university was originally founded as a women’s college in 1846. Saint Xavier has an expansive campus including facilities such as the Warde Academic Center, the Visual Arts Center, the Graham School of Management Building, and many other academic buildings, as well as a small chapel. Additional campuses are located in Orland Park and Gilbert, Arizona. The school participates in the National Association of intercollegiate Athletics and offers over 40 undergraduate majors.

#20 Quincy University

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The Catholic liberal arts school, Quincy University, of the Franciscan Order is located in Quincy Illinois. The schools enrolls roughly 1,500 students each year. Areas of study at the institution are broken down into behavioral and social sciences, fine arts and communication, humanities, and science and technology. The univeristy is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. Quincy competes in NCAA Division II athletics.

#21 Illinois College

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Illinois College is a private and liberal arts school associated with the United Church of Christ. It was the first college in the state of Illinois to hand out a degree in 1835. Each year, about 1,000 come to Illinois College to participated in over 80 areas of discipline. The school hosts research programs, as well as permanent research facilities, like the Starhilll Forest Arboretum and the Congressional Museum and Archives. The school encourages opportunities to study abroad, to counties  such as Spain, Japan, Germany, England, and Australia.

#22 Illinois Institute of Technology
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This private research university is located in Chicago. Illinois Institute of Technology is also referred to as Illinois Tech or IIT and is well-regarded as a PhD-granting institution. Common area of study include science, engineering, psychology, information technology, design, and law. Approximately 7,800 undergraduate and postgraduate students attend the school each year. Students have the option of choosing between numerous student organizations including Student Government Association, Student Union Board, and TechNews.

#23 University of Chicago

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The prestigious institution of the University of Chicago is a private research school located in the city of Chicago. Since its establishment in 1890, UChicago has devised various undergraduate and graduate programs under the direction of disciplinary committees. Today, these exist within the Graham School of Continuing Liberal and Professional Studies, Pritzker School of Medicine, Booth School of Business, and School of Social Service Administration, among others. Approximately 15,000 students total study at the univeristy today. The university boasts a long list of prominent alumni. Campus stretches across 217 acres in the Hyde Park and Woodlawn neighborhoods and has been consistently been revered for its beauty among national publications.

#24 DePaul University 

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DePaul University is a private school located in Chicago. It became the largest student body of any catholic university in 1998. DePaul emphasizes enrollment especially for first generation students or those otherwise disadvantaged. Undergraduates total nearly 16,000 students, whereas graduates add an extra 7,600. Colleges are spread across two campuses: Lincoln Park and the Loop. DePaul is known for its diversity on the basis of race and ethnicity.

#25 Chicago State University

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Chicago State University is a public state school based out of Chicago. Approximately 4,700 students attend. The school is also a member of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund. The colleges include the College of Arts and Sciences, College of Business, College of Education, College of Heath Sciences, and the College of Pharmacy.

#26 University of Illinois at Springfield

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This public liberal art school is located in Springfield, Illinois. The University belongs to the University of Illinois System as well as the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges. At UIS, nearly 5,700 students attend to pursue one of 27 undergraduate degrees or 20 master’s degrees. The university belongs to the NCAA Division II Great Lakes Valley Conference.

#27 North Park University 

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An institution of 3,000 students, North Park University has a combined campus with the North Park Theological Seminary. In addition to the undergraduate college, academics also include the North Park Theological Seminary, School of Adult Learning, School of Business & Nonprofit Management, School of Education, School of Music, the School of Nursing, and Community Development. North Park University has 8 men’s and 9 women’s athletic teams which belong to the NCAA Division III.

#28 Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

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The coeducational university, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, or SIUE, is situated about 20 miles northeast of St.Louis, Missouri. Doctoral, graduate and undergraduate programs are available to a total student body of approximately 13,300. A majority of student hail from within the state. Common majors include science, medicine, education, business, government, sports and entertainment.

#29 North Central College

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North Central College of Naperville, Illinois is a coeducational, liberal arts college. It belongs to the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin and enrolls about 3,000 students each year. There are 70 degree paths to choose from. The 65-acre campus includes several residence halls, a fine arts building, a concert hall, and black box theatre. The average acceptance rate sits at 57% for first year students.

#30 Eastern Illinois University

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This state university is located in Charleston, Illinois and was established to grant two-year teaching degrees. Eastern Illinois University today specializes in baccalaureate and master’s degrees in business, sciences, arts, education, and the humanities. Approximately 9,000 students attend each year. Campus life offers over 150 student organizations to choose from including the school’s newspaper, the Daily Eastern News.

#31 Illinois Wesleyan University

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The undergraduate liberal arts college, Illinois Wesleyan University, is situated in Bloomington, Illinois. A student body of almost 2,000 can choose between 80 majors, minors, and programs. Academic programs are broken up into 17 programs including the School of Music, the School of Theater, and the School of Nursing, among others. Students are encouraged to study abroad, with over 300 options to choose from in 70 different countries.

#32 University of Illinois at Chicago

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The University of Illinois at Chicago is considered the largest in terms of students (29,000 total) in the Chicago area. Campus is located near the Near West Side and Chicago Loop subway system. UIC boasts the largest medical school in the country. Areas of speciality include programs geared towards physicians, pharmacists, dentist, and nurses. The university competes in NCAA Division I Horizon League athletics.

#33 Greenville College

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Greenville College is a four-year school with a liberal arts focus and connection with the Free Methodist Church. Campus is located in a small town 45 miles east of St. Louis, Missouri. About 1,100 students attend the university. Students who attend the university must agree to a “Christ-honoring”lifestyle on campus. Competitive sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, football, soccer, and track and field.

#34 Monmouth College

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Monmouth College welcomes 1,300 undergraduate students each year to its liberal arts campus in small town Monmouth, Illinois. Students can choose from 35 majors and 30 minors as well as over a dozen pre-professional programs. Monmouth was the originally founder of the Associated Colleges of the Midwest. The teacher student ratio is 11:1. Students have the option to continue research and further studies abroad.

#35 Euerka College

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The town of Eureka hosts Eureka College, a small institution of higher education with approximately 785 students. Common majors include history, political science, business, education, communication, fine arts, and the performing arts. Eureka belongs to NCAA Division III athletics including basketball, tennis swimming, golf and track and field.

#36 University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

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The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, or UIUC, is a public research center. The university belongs to the Association of American Universities and offers students more than 150 programs of study. Campus straddles Green Street, giving the university both a city-like as well as residential feel. Lead by the Student Sustainability Committee, the university is dedicated to minimizing its carbon footprint. The university hosts a Research Park, National Center for Supercomputing Applications, and Prairie Research Institute.

#37 Illinois State University

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Founded in 1857, Illinois State University is the oldest public university in the state. Undergraduate sand graduates make up 20,100 students total. Schools include the College of Education, the College of Fine Arts, the College of Applied Science and Technology, and the College of Arts and Sciences. Campus consists of the Quad, a popular meeting places, the Milner Library, and residence halls in addition to many academic buildings.

#38 Millikin University

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Millikin University is a private co-educational school specializing in the art and sciences, business, fine arts, and professional studies. The school welcomes about 2,400 undergraduate students each year. Student life consists of an active Greek Life and athletics. Millikin boasts numerous notable alumni, as artist, actors, athletes, authors, business figures, and politicians.

#39 Roosevelt University

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Roosevelt is a private and coeducational university of 7,000 students. It’s made up of two campus locations: Chicago, Illinois and Schaumburg, Illinois. The basis of curriculum is a call towards social justice. Roosevelt is home to the Chicago College of Performing Arts and five other colleges. Student Life includes an active greek life as well as Black Student Union, Colleges Against Cancer, Student Government Association, and the student newspaper.

#40 Columbia College Chicago

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Columbia College Chicago is an independent liberal arts school that welcomes undergraduate and graduated students pursuing one of over 80 degrees. Columbia hosts several research-based, cultural, and educational associated organizations such as the Center for Community Arts Partnerships, the Museum of Contemporary Photography, the Center for Black Music Research, and the Sherwood Community Music School. Nearly 9,500 students attend the school.

#41 Blackburn College

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The Carlineville-based school, Blackburn College, focuses on a liberal arts education. It’s considered within the Greater St.Louis metropolitan area. Blackburn is one of seven colleges in the country to identify as a work college, which has put in place a work program required for all on-campus students. Academic facilities include the Alumni Hall of Biology, Bothwell Conservatory of Music, the Lumpkin library, and the Marvin and Ingrid Mahan Science Laboratory Wing.

#42 Knox College

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Knox College is a private liberal arts school established in 1837. It’s located in Galesburg, Illinois. Knox College has consistently ranked high amongst online and college review publications. Knox operates on a trimester basis and requires professors to teach only two of the three trimesters, so there is more time available for one-on-one mentoring with students. Student activities include Greek Life, language clubs, book clubs, neuroscience club, and educational studies club, among others.

#43 Northern Illinois University

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Northern Illinois University is situated in DeKalb, Illinois. It’s a public research university of approximately 20,000 student including undergraduates and postgrads. There are seven colleges within the academic curriculum, 60 majors for undergrads to choose from, 79 graduate programs, and more than 20 pathways for doctoral candidates. NIU belongs to the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities. Campus stretches 756 acres and hosts a myriad of residential halls, academic buildings, and athletic and student life facilities.

#44 Bradley University

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The private institution, Bradley University, is set in Peoria, Illinois. The university holds 22 accreditations and and offers undergraduates 100 programs to choose from–30 for graduate students. More than 240 student organizations are offered on campus, including athletics, forensics, Greek life, and Common Ground (in support of the LGBTQ community).

#45 MacMurray College

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MacMurray College is a four-year private college situated in Jacksonville, Illinois. The student body of 570 is considered 26% ethnically diverse. MacMurray has consistently ranked high for its dedicated to public justice. On average, the institution offers 26 majors and 16 minor programs within a liberal arts curriculum.

#46 Rockford University

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Rockford University was originally established as the Rockford Female Seminary in 1847. Today, the school is a private liberal arts college with 1,2000 students. Rockford offers students 80 majors, minors, and areas of concentration. Colleges include Arts and Humanities, Science, Math, and Nursing, and Social Sciences, Commerce and Education. The school is a member of NCAA Division III athletics.

#47 Augustana College-Illinois

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Augustana College is located in Rock Island, Illinois. The college is a liberal arts school of about 2,500 students. Campus stretches 115 acres along the Mississippi River. Augustana ranks high when it comes to liberal arts graduate students earning PhDs. Academic programs are focused in accounting, applied mathematics, history, astronomy, foreign languages, literatures, philosophy and physics, among a long list of specialities. The school has an active student life, made up of sports, Greek Life, and academic clubs and organizations.

#48 Western Illinois University

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A public university in Macomb, Illinois, Western Illinois University was originally founded in 1899 as a teacher training institute. Today, the university spans across two campuses: Macomb and Moline, Illinois. Academic offerings include 69 undergraduate majors and 42 majors at the graduate level. Sports teams at the university participate in the NCAA Division I Summit League.

#49 Southern Illinois Univeristy Carbondale

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Carbondale, Illinois is home to Southern Illinois University. SIU consists of over 17,000 undergraduate and graduate students pursuing more than 200 graduate and 70 master’s programs. There are an additional 31 doctoral programs available to students. The Student Center is a lively gathering place for student life, including  study spaces, dining facilities, ballrooms, and bowling and billiards facility. Student organizations include athletics and the student newspaper.

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30 Safest Colleges in Florida 2016

FloridaThere are nearly 50 four-year colleges and universities in the state of Florida.  The third largest state by population, Florida has some of the largest public university campuses in the country.  If you think you’d like to pursue higher learning in The Sunshine State, here are the 30 safest colleges in Florida.

For the sake of this list, a “college” is considered any accredited public or private not-for-profit institution that offers four-year degree programs. Campus crime stats, graduation rates, and student retention rates were taken from U.S. Department of Education annual reports. Campus crime rates are based on the number of crimes per 1,000 residents.

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#1 The Baptist College of Florida, Graceville, FL

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Located in the northern panhandle city of Graceville, The Baptist College of Florida (BCF) is a private Christian College that is affiliated with the Florida Baptist Convention.  The school was founded in 1943, serves over 700 enrolled students, and offers degree programs in more than fifteen different areas.  BCF is the safest school in Florida.  The freshman retention rate here is 83%, the graduation rate at this school is 36.8%, and the rate of crime on campus is 0.

#2 Carlos Albizu University – Miami, Miami, FL

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Carlos Albizu University is a private university in Miami that also has a campus in Puerto Rico.  The school specializes in psychology programs but also has both education and business departments.  Another safe choice in The Sunshine State, the freshman retention rate here is an impressive 100%, the graduation rate is 17.4%, and the rate of on-campus crime is 0.

#3 Everglades University, Boca Raton, FL

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Located in Boca Raton, Everglades University is a private university that serves over 600 enrolled students.  The school was founded in 1998, offers both bachelor’s and master’s degrees, and was included on U.S. News and World Report’s 2016 list of best colleges for veterans.  The freshman retention rate here is 72%, the graduation rate is 62%, and the rate of crime on campus is 0.

#4 Nova Southeastern University , Fort Lauderdale, FL

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Nova Southeastern University (NSU) is a private university that is located on a 300-acre campus in Fort Lauderdale.  NSU serves more than 24,100 students and offers more than 250 majors through its 18 colleges and schools.  The freshman retention rate here is 71%, the rate of graduation at the school is 40.5%, and the on-campus crime rate at Nova is 0.

#5 Hodges University, Naples, FL

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Located in Naples, Hodges University is a private university that serves more than 2,100 students.  Formerly known as International College, the school has been open for over 25 years and has an average class size of just 14 students.  The freshman retention rate at Hodges is 49%, the graduation rate here is 30%, and the rate of crime on campus is 0.

#6 Florida College, Temple Terrace, FL

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Florida College is a small private Christian college located in the Tampa suburb of Temple Terrace.  The school serves over 500 enrolled students, offers seven different bachelor’s degree programs, and is considered an important training center for ministers.  The freshman retention rate at Florida College is 67%, the graduation rate here is 49.8%, and the on-campus crime rate is 0.

#7 Southeastern University, Lakeland, FL

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A private Christian liberal arts college, Southeastern University is located in the city of Lakeland and is affiliated with the Assemblies of God.  The school was founded in 1935, serves over 4,500 students, and offers 60 different degree programs.  The freshman retention rate here is 69%, the school’s graduation rate is 38.4%, and the rate of crime on campus is 0.

#8 Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University – Daytona Beach, Daytona Beach, FL

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Also known as just Embry-Riddle, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is a private research university located in Daytona Beach.  The school was founded in 1926 as a flying school, has a sister campus in Arizona, and is known for its partnerships with the aerospace industry.  The Daytona Beach campus has an enrollment of over 5,800 students.  The freshman retention rate at Embry-Riddle is 78%, the graduation rate is 56.9%, and the on-campus crime rate is 0.

#9 Adventist University of Health Sciences, Orlando, FL

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Located in Orlando, Adventist University of Health Sciences (ADU) is a private Seventh-day Adventist university that specializes in nursing and applied health programs.  The school was founded in 1992, serves over 3,000 students, and offers degrees from nine different departments.  The freshman retention rate at ADU is 71%, the rate of graduation here is 39.5%, and the rate of crime on campus is 0.

#10 Palm Beach Atlantic University, West Palm Beach, FL

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Palm Beach Atlantic University is a private Christian non-denominational university that serves over 2,500 undergraduate students.  The school was founded in 1968, is located in West Palm Beach near the Atlantic beaches, and promises students small class sizes.  The freshman retention rate here is 73%, the graduation rate is 46.7%, and the on-campus crime rate is 0.

#11 Florida Gulf Coast University, Fort Myers, FL

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Located in the city of Fort Myers, Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) is a public university and the newest school in the state’s university system.  Founded in 1991, the school now serves over 14,400 students and offers more than 85 degree programs through its six college and schools.  The freshman retention rate here is 77%, the graduation rate at FGCU is 44.2%, and the rate of crime on campus is 0.

#12 Flagler College – St. Augustine, St. Augustine, FL

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Flagler College is a private liberal arts college in the city of St. Augustine.  The school was founded in 1968, serves more than 2,500 students, and offers 29 areas of study.  Flagler College was included on U.S. News & World Report’s list of “Best Regional Colleges in the South.”  The freshman retention rate here is 67%, the school’s graduation rate is 63.1%, and the on-campus crime rate is 0.

#13 Florida Institute of Technology, Melbourne, FL

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Located on a 130-acre campus in the city of Melbourne, Florida Institute of Technology (FIT) is a private research university that serves more than 6,300 students.  The school was founded in 1958 and offers degree programs through its six schools that emphasize STEM areas of study as well as aviation.  The freshman retention rate here is 80%, the graduation rate at FIT is 54.4%, and the rate of crime on campus is 0.

#14 St. Thomas University – Florida, Miami Gardens, FL

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St. Thomas University (STU) is a private Roman Catholic university that is located on a 160-acre campus in Miami Gardens.  The school was founded in 1961, borders a monastery, and has five distinct schools and colleges as well as a separate college of law.  The freshman retention rate at STU is 62%, the school’s graduation rate is 38.3%, and the on-campus crime rate is 0.

#15 Florida International University, Miami, FL

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Located on a 573-acre campus in the Miami suburb of University Park, Florida International University (FIU) is a public research university that is considered a “tier one” school.  The university was founded in 1965, serves over 54,000 students, and offers more than 280 majors through its 23 colleges and schools.  The freshman retention rate at FIU is 84%, the graduation rate here is 51.6%, and the rate of crime on campus is 0.

#16 Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL

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Florida Atlantic University (FAU) is a public state university located on a 805-acre campus in the city of Boca Raton.  The school was founded in 1961, serves over 30,800 students, and offers more than 180 degree programs through its ten colleges.  The freshman retention rate at FAU is 77%, the graduation rate here is 41.1%, and the rate of crime on campus is 0.

#17 University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL

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Located on a 1,878-acre campus in Orlando, the University of Central Florida (UCF) is a public state university.  With more than 60,800 enrolled students, the school is the largest state university in the country by undergraduate enrollment and is ranked among the top 100 public universities by U.S. News & World Report.  The freshman retention rate at UCF is 87%, the graduation rate here is 67.2%, and the on-campus crime rate is 0.

#18 University of South Florida, Tampa, FL

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The University of South Florida (USF) is a public state university that is located on a 1,913-acre campus in Tampa serving over 48,700 students.  The school was founded in 1956, is the fourth-largest public university in the state, and offers more than 200 degree programs through 14 colleges including a medical school. The freshman retention rate here is 89%, the graduation rate at USF is 63.2%, and the rate of crime on campus is 0.

#19 University of North Florida, Jacksonville, FL

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Located on a 1,300-acre campus in the city of Jacksonville, the University of North Florida (UNF) is a public state university that serves over 16,100 students.  The school was founded in 1972, is surrounded by nature preserves, and offers students more than 75 degree programs through its five colleges.  The freshman retention rate at UNF is 82%, the school’s graduation rate is 50%, and the on-campus crime rate is 0.

#20 University of Florida, Gainesville, FL

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Considered a senior member of the state’s university system, the University of Florida (UF) is located on a 2,000-acre campus in Gainesville.    The school was founded in 1853, serves over 49,000 students, and is home to sixteen colleges and more than 150 research centers and institutes.  The freshman retention rate at UF is 96%, the graduation rate here is 86.5%, and the rate of crime on campus is 0.

#21 University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL

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A private research university in the Coral Gables area of Miami, the University of Miami (UM) serves over 16,700 students.  The school was founded in 1925, offer more than 200 degree programs, and has 12 separate colleges including a law school.  The freshman retention rate here is 91%, UM’s graduation rate is 81.7%, and the on-campus crime rate here is 0.

#22 Florida Southern College, Lakeland, FL

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Located on a 110-acre campus in Lakeland, Florida Southern College (FSC) is a private college that serves over 2,800 students.  The school was founded in 1883, is affiliated with the United Methodist Church, and offers more than 50 degree programs.  FSC also holds the world’s largest single-site collection of Frank Lloyd Wright architecture.  The freshman retention rate here is 78%, the graduation rate is 58.2%, and the rate of crime on campus is 0.

#23 Stetson University, DeLand, FL

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Stetson University is a private university located on a 175-acre campus in Deland.  The school was founded in 1883, serves over 4,300 students, and was included on U.S. News & World Report’s list of best regional universities in the South.  There is also a separate law school in the city of Gulfport. The freshman retention rate at Stetson is 78%, the school’s graduation rate is 64.1%, and the rate of crime on campus is 0.

#24 Jacksonville University, Jacksonville, FL

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Located on a 240-acre campus in Jacksonville, Jacksonville University (JU) is a private, nonsectarian university that serves over 3,700 enrolled students.  The school was founded in 1934, offers more than 70 degree programs, and is known for its professional flight training school.  The freshman retention rate at JU is 72%, the graduation rate here is 38.2%, and the on-campus crime rate is 0.

#25 University of West Florida, Pensacola, FL

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The University of West Florida (UWF) is a public state university that is located on a 1,600-acre campus in the panhandle city of Pensacola.  The school was established in 1963, serves over 12,700 students, and offers a variety of undergraduate and graduate degrees through its three colleges.  The freshman retention rate at UWF is 70%, the school’s graduation rate is 42.3%, and the rate of crime on campus is 0.

#26 Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL

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Located in Tallahassee, Florida A&M University (FAMU) is a public historically black university that serves over 9,900 enrolled students.  The school was founded in 1887, is one of the largest historically black colleges in the country, and offers more than 100 degree programs through its 13 colleges and schools.  FAMU’s freshman retention rate is 82%, the graduation rate here is 40.9%, and the rate of crime on campus is 0.

#27 Florida State University. Tallahassee, FL

Also located in Tallahassee, Florida State University (FSU) is a senior member of the state university system that serves over 41,700 students.  The school was founded in 1851, has a 1,391-acre campus, and offers students the choice of more than 360 programs of study through its 16 different colleges.  The freshman retention rate at FSU is 92%, the school’s graduation rate is 76.9%, and the on-campus crime rate is 0.

#28 Florida Memorial University, Miami Gardens, FL

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A private Baptist university in the Miami suburb of Miami Gardens, Florida Memorial University serves over 1,800 students.  The school was founded in 1879, is affiliated with both the American Baptist Churches USA and the National Baptist Convention, and offers students more than 40 degree programs.  The freshman retention rate at this school is 69%, the graduation rate here is 39.6%, and the rate of crime on campus is 0.

#29 Trinity Baptist College

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Trinity Baptist College (TBC) is a private college located in the city of Jacksonville.  The school was established in 1974, is affiliated with the Independent Baptist churches, and serves over 300 enrolled students.  The freshman retention rate at TBC is 47%, the graduation rate here is 38.9%, and the rate of crime on campus is 0.

#30 Ringling College of Art & Design, Sarasota, FL

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Located in the city of Sarasota, the Ringling College of Art and Design is a private college that serves more than 1,400 students.  Originally founded as an art school in 1931, the school now offers degrees in such areas as game art, computer animation, illustration, painting, and graphic design.  The freshman retention rate here is 78%, the graduation rate is 65%, and the on-campus crime rate is 1.

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50 Safest Colleges in New York 2016

New YorkThere are well over 200 four-year colleges and universities in the state of New York, more than any other U.S. state.  The state university system alone is the most extensive in the country.   If you or a loved one would like to pursue higher learning in The Empire State, here are the 50 safest colleges in New York.

For the sake of this list, a “college” is considered any accredited public or private not-for-profit institution that offers four-year degree programs. Campus crime stats, graduation rates, and student retention rates were taken from U.S. Department of Education annual reports. Campus crime rates are based on the number of crimes per 1,000 residents.

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#1 Roberts Wesleyan College, Rochester, NY

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Located in the city of Rochester, Roberts Wesleyan College is a private liberal arts college that was the first school in the country established by the Free Methodist Church.  The school was founded in 1866, serves over 1,700 students, and offers several areas of study including a separate graduate seminary school.  This is the safest college in New York, with a freshman retention rate of 86%, a graduation rate of 60.6%, and an on-campus crime rate of 0.

#2 New York Institute of Technology, Old Westbury, NY

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A private research university, the New York Institute of Technology is located on a 1,050-acre campus in the Long Island city of Old Westbury.  The school was founded in 1910, serves more than 9,400 students, and offers more than 100 degree programs through its seven schools and colleges.  Another safe choice, the freshman retention rate here is 72%, the rate of graduation is 47.1%, and the on-campus crime rate is 0.

#3 St. Joseph’s College – New York, Brooklyn, NY

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Located in the Clinton Hill section of Brooklyn, St. Joseph’s College is a private liberal arts college that serves just over 1,200 students.  The school was founded in 1916, offers more than 25 majors, and also has a separate campus on Long Island.  The freshman retention rate at St. Joseph’s College is 84%, the graduation rate here is 71.6%, and the rate of crime on campus is 0.

#4 Molloy College, Rockville Centre, NY

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A private Catholic college in the Long Island town of Rockville Center, Molloy College serves more than 4,600 enrolled students.  The school was founded in 1955, is affiliated with the Roman Catholic church, and offers more than 50 degree programs and the undergraduate and graduate level.  The school retains freshmen at a rate of 89%, has a graduation rate of 66.2%, and has an on-campus crime rate of 0.

#5 CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice, New York City, NY

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Located in the Midtown Manhattan area of New York City, the John Jay College of Criminal Justice (John Jay) is part of the City University of New York (CUNY) system.  This public university was founded in 1964, serves more than 15,000 students, and is well-known for its criminal justice, forensics, and public affairs programs.  The freshman retention rate at John Jay is 78%, the graduation rate here is 33.5%, and the rate of crime on campus is 0.

#6 CUNY Brooklyn College, Brooklyn, NY

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A public college in the City University of New York (CUNY) system, Brooklyn College serves over 16,400 enrolled students.  The school was founded in 1930 and is known for both its picturesque 26-acre campus and for the value of quality education that it provides.  The freshman retention rate at Brooklyn College is 86%, the school’s graduation rate is 51%, and the on-campus crime rate is 0.

#7 CUNY Lehman College, The Bronx, NY

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Another CUNY school, Lehman College is a public university that is located in the Bronx section of New York City.  The school was founded in 1967, serves more than 12,000 students, and offers over 90 areas of study at the undergraduate and graduate level.  The freshman retention rate here is 81%, the graduation rate is 37%, and the rate of crime on campus is 0.

#8 Fashion Institute of Technology, New York City, NY

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Located in the Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan, the Fashion Institute of New York (FIT) is a public university in the State University of New York (SUNY) system.  The school was founded in 1944, serves more than 9,700 students, and is ranked among the top five fashion schools in the world.  The freshman retention rate at FIT is 88%, the school’s graduation rate is 70.2%, and the rate of on-campus crime is 0.

#9 Polytechnic Institute of New York University, Brooklyn, NY

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Another State University of New York (SUNY) school, the SUNY Polytechnic Institute is a public research university that is located in the city of Brooklyn.  The school was founded in 1966, serves more than 2,900 students, and offers over 40 different degree programs through its five colleges.  The freshman retention rate at SUNY Poly is 88%, the graduation rate here is 57.1%, and the rate of crime on campus is 0.

#10 Davis College – New York, Johnson City, NY

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Located in the Broome County village of Johnson City, Davis College is a small private bible college that serves just over 300 enrolled students.  The school was founded in 1900 and offers both biblical and education degrees to undergraduates.  The freshman retention rate at Davis College is 87%, the graduation rate here is 42.1%, and the on-campus crime rate is 0.

#11 Hilbert College, Hamburg, NY

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A private Franciscan college located in the Buffalo suburb of Hamburg, Hilbert College serves just over 1,000 enrolled students.  The school was founded in 1957, is considered a liberal arts college, and has a student-faculty ratio of just 13:1.  The freshman retention rate here is 75%, the graduation rate at Hilbert College is 41.1%, and the rate of crime on campus is 0.

#12 CUNY Baruch College, New York City, NY

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Located in the Gramercy Park area of Manhattan, Baruch College is a public college that is a part of the City University of New York (CUNY) system.  The school was founded in 1968, serves more than 17,000 students, and offers more than 50 different degree programs through its three schools.  The freshman retention rate at Baruch College is 88%, the school’s graduation rate is 66.9%, and the on-campus crime rate is 0.

#13 Adelphi University, Garden City, NY

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A private, nonsectarian university, Adelphi University is located on a 75-acre campus in the Long Island village of Garden City.  The school was founded in 1896, serves more than 7,800 students, and is known as the oldest higher learning institution on Long Island.  The freshman retention rate at Adelphi is 81%, the rate of graduation here is 62.5%, and the rate of crime on campus is 0.

#14 Yeshiva University, New York City, NY

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Located in New York City, Yeshiva University is a private research university that is affiliated with Modern Orthodox Judaism.  The school was founded in 1886, serves more than 6,400 enrolled students, and offers a variety of degree programs including a college of medicine and a college of law.  The freshman retention rate here is 93%, the school’s graduation rate is 85.2%, and the on-campus crime rate is 0.

#15 The King’s College – New York, New York City, NY

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The King’s College (TKC) is a private Christian liberal arts college that is located in the financial district area of Manhattan.  The school was founded in 1938, serves just 500 students, and is best-known as a conservative business, economics, and politics educational institution.  The freshman retention rate here is 60%, the graduation rate at The King’s College is 61.4%,  and the rate of crime on campus is 0.

#16 CUNY Hunter College, New York City, NY

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Located in the Lenox Hill section of Manhattan’s Upper East Side, Hunter College is a public university that is part of the City University of New York (CUNY) system.  The school was founded in 1870, serves over 15,500 students, and offers more than 150 degree programs at the undergraduate and graduate level. The freshman retention rate here is 87%, the school’s graduation rate is 50.4%, and the on-campus crime rate is 0.

#17 Touro College, New York City, NY

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Touro College is a private, primarily Jewish, college that is located in New York City.  The school was founded in 1970, serves more than 18,000 students, and offers a variety of degree programs including a separate medical school.  Touro’s freshman retention rate is 46%, the graduation rate here is 34.6%, and the rate of crime on campus is 0.

#18 New York University, New York City, NY

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Located on a 230-acre urban campus in Manhattan, New York University (NYU) is a private research university that serves more than 57,200 enrolled students.  The school was founded in 1831, is one of the largest private universities in the country, and was named by U.S. News & World Report as one of the top 34 universities in the world.  NYU’s freshman retention rate is 92%, it’s graduation rate is 83.3%, the school’s on-campus crime rate is 0.

#19 Marymount Manhattan College, New York City, NY

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Marymount Manhattan College is a private college located in the Upper East Side of Manhattan.  The school was founded in 1936 as a Catholic college, but no longer has a religious affiliation.  The school serves over 1,600 students and is known for producing top stage actors.  The freshman retention rate here is 66%, the school’s graduation rate is 44.3%, and the rate of crime on campus is 0.

#20 CUNY College of Staten Island, Staten Island, NY

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Located on Staten Island, the College of Staten Island is a part of the City University of New York (CUNY) system.  The public university was founded in 1956, serves over 13,700 students, and offers a variety of liberal arts and sciences degrees.  The freshman retention rate at this school is 83%, the graduation rate here is 29.1%, and the on-campus crime rate is 0.

#21 Pace University, New York City, NY

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A private university in New York City, Pace University serves over 12,700 enrolled students.  The school was founded in 1906, has nine different schools and colleges, and is home to the television show “Inside the Actors Studio” hosted by James Lipton.  The freshman retention rate at Pace is 76%, the graduation rate here is 51.5%, and the rate of crime on campus is 0.

#22 CUNY Queens College, New York City, NY

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Located in Queens, New York, Queens College is a public university that is a part of the City University of New York (CUNY) system.  The school was founded in 1937, serves over 18,400 students, and offers more than 90 different degree programs.  The school’s freshman retention rate is 84%, the graduation rate at Queens College is 56.4%, and the on-campus crime rate is 0.

#23 SUNY Empire State College, Saratoga Springs, NY

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Empire State College is a public liberal arts college that is a part of the State University of New York (SUNY) system.  The school was founded in 1971, services more than 18,600 students, and offers a wide variety of degree programs at both the undergraduate and graduate level.  The freshman retention rate at Empire State is 49%, the graduation rate here is 24.5%, and the rate of crime on campus is 0.

#24 Long Island University – Brooklyn, Brooklyn, NY

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Located on an 11-acre urban campus in Brooklyn, Long Island University (LIU) is a private, nonsectarian university.  The school was founded in 1926, offers more than 250 academic programs, and has a 12:1 student to faculty ratio.  The freshman retention rate here is 59%, the graduation rate at this school is 30.2%, and the on-campus crime rate is 0.

#25 Metropolitan College of New York, New York City, NY

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Metropolitan College of New York is a private college located in Manhattan’s Hudson Square.   The school was established in 1964, serves over 1,200 students, and consists of three schools that offer various degree programs.  The freshman retention rate here is 52%, the graduation rate is 24.4%, and the rate of crime on campus is 0.

#26 CUNY York College, New York City, NY

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York College is a public university located in Queens that is a part of the City University of New York (CUNY) system.  The school was founded in 1966, sits on a 50-acre urban campus, and serves more than 8,000 enrolled students.  The freshman enrollment rate at York College is 74%, the graduation rate here is 26.4%, and the on-campus crime rate is 0.

#27 Mercy College, Dobbs Ferry, NY

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Located in the city of Dobbs Ferry, Mercy College is a private liberal arts college that serves over 8,000 enrolled students.  The school was founded in 1950, offers more than 40 areas of study, and has a 20:1 student-faculty ratio.  The freshman retention rate here is 70%, the school’s graduation rate is 33.3%, and the rate of crime on campus is 0.

#28 The Juilliard School, New York City, NY

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The Julliard School is a private performing arts college that serves just 850 enrolled students.  Located on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, the school was founded in 1905 and is known as one of the world’s leading music schools.  The freshman retention rate at Julliard is 94%, the graduation rate here is 87.7%, and the on-campus crime rate is 0.

#29 Clarkson University, Potsdam, NY

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Located in the upstate village of Potsdam in St. Lawrence County, Clarkson University is a private research university that serves over 4,300 students.  The school was established in 1896, has a 640-acre campus, and offer more than 50 different areas of study.  The freshman retention rate here is 87%, Clarkson’s graduation rate is 72.9%, and the rate of crime on campus is 0.

#30 Columbia University, New York City, NY

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Columbia University is a private, Ivy League, research university that is located in Upper Manhattan that serves over 27,900 students.  The school was founded in 1754, is the oldest college in the state, and has 17 colleges and schools including the oldest medical school in the country.  The freshman retention rate at Columbia is 97%, the graduation rate here is 93.3%, and the rate of on-campus crime is 0.

#31 Barnard College, New York City, NY

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Located in the Morningside Heights neighborhood of Manhattan, Barnard College is a private women’s liberal arts college that is affiliated with Columbia University.  The school was founded in 1889, serves over 2,300 students, and is known as one of the most selective women’s colleges in the country.  The freshman retention rate at Barnard is 98%, the graduation rate here is 89.7%, and the rate of crime on campus is 0.

#32 Nazareth College, Rochester, NY

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Nazareth College is a private, non-denominational college located in the Rochester suburb of Pittsford.  The school was founded in 1924, serves over 2,800 students, and offers more than 80 different degree programs at the graduate and undergraduate level.  The freshman retention rate at this school is 79%, the graduation rate here is 68%, and the on-campus crime rate is 0.

#33 The College of New Rochelle, New Rochelle, NY

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Located on a 20-acre suburban campus in the city of New Rochelle, The College of New Rochelle is a private Catholic college that serves more than 4,000 students.  The school was founded in 1904 and is now composed of four separate schools.  The freshman retention rate here is 62%, the school’s graduation rate is 26.3%, and the rate of crime on campus is 0.

#34 The New School, New York City, NY

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The New School is a private research university that is located in the Greenwich Village section of New York City.  The school was founded in 1919, serves more than 10,000 enrolled students, and is known for its open intellectual environment.  The freshman retention rate at The New School is 83%, the graduation rate here is 63.4%, the school’s on-campus crime rate is 0.

#35 CUNY City College of New York, New York City, NY

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Located in the Hamilton Heights area of Manhattan, the City College of New York (CCNY) is a public university that is a part of the City University of New York (CUNY) system.  The school was founded in 1847, serves more than 16,100 students, and offers many areas of study with a well-known physics program.  The freshman retention rate at CCNY is 87%, the graduation rate here is 42%, and the rate of crime on campus is 0.

#36 Iona College, New Rochelle, NY

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Iona College is a private college that is affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church, Congregation of Christian Brothers.  The school was founded in 1940, serves more than 3,900 students, and sits on a 45-acre suburban campus in New Rochelle, just 20 miles north of Midtown Manhattan.  The freshman retention rate at Iona is 83%, the school’s graduation rate is 62.6%, and the on-campus crime rate is 0.

#37 St. John Fisher College, Rochester, NY

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A private liberal arts college, St. John Fisher College is located in the Rochester suburb of Pittsford.  The school was established in 1948, serves more than 3,700 students, and was ranked number one by U.S. News and World Report on a list of top Doctoral Research Universities.  The freshman retention rate here is 83%, the graduation rate is 72.5%, and the rate of crime on campus is 0.

#38 St. Francis College, New York City, NY

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Located in the Brooklyn Heights area of New York City, St. Francis College is a private college that serves more than 2,700 students.  The school was founded in 1859, is affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church, and has an average class size of just 20 students.  The freshman retention rate at St. Francis College is 80%, the school’s graduation rate is 52.1%, and the rate of on-campus crime is 0.

#39 Niagara University, Niagara Falls, NY

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Niagara University is a private, Catholic university located in the Niagara County town of Lewiston.  The school was established in 1856, serves more than 4,200 students, and offers both liberal arts and technical areas of study.  The freshman retention rate at this school is 81%, the graduation rate is 65.1%, and the rate of crime on campus is 0.

#40 Daemen College, Amherst Town, NY

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Located in the Erie County city of Amherst, Daemen College is a private liberal arts college that serves just over 3,000 students.  The school was founded in 1947 and offers more than 30 different degree programs at the undergraduate and graduate level.  The freshman retention rate here is 74%, the school’s graduation rate is 49.3%, and the rate of on-campus crime is 0.

#41 Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, NY

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Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) is a private university located in the Rochester suburb of Henrietta.  The school was founded in 1829, serves over 18,600 students, and is known for its fine arts programs that often rank in the top in the nation.  The freshman retention rate at RIT is 87%, the graduation rate her is 63.9%, and the rate of crime on campus is 0.

#42 St. John’s University – New York, Queens, NY

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Located in the Queens area of New York City, St. John’s University is a private, Roman Catholic university that serves over 21,000 students.  The school was founded in 1870, has a 105-acre campus, and offers more than 100 different degree programs.  The freshman retention rate here is 80%, the school’s graduation rate is 55.7%, and the on-campus crime rate is 0.

#43 SUNY College of Environmental Science & Forestry, Syracuse, NY

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The State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY-ESF) is a public specialized university that is located in the Central New York city of Syracuse.  The school was founded in 1911, serves over 2,700 students, and is known for its natural sciences programs.  The freshman retention rate at SUNY-ESF is 86%, the school’s graduation rate is 71.6%, and the rate of crime on campus is 0.

#44 The Sage Colleges, Troy, NY

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The Sage Colleges is a collection of three private colleges in the city of Albany.  The schools are Russell Sage College, Sage College of Albany, and Sage Graduate School. The colleges serve a total of 2,800 enrolled students and offer more than 70 different degree programs.  The freshman retention rate here is 78%, the graduation rate at the schools is 58%, the on-campus crime rate is 0.

#45 Concordia College – New York, Bronxville, NY

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Located in the Westchester County village of Bronxville, Concordia College is a private liberal arts college that is affiliated with the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod. The school was founded in 1881, serves over 950 students, and is known for its nursing program.  The freshman retention rate at Concordia is 69%, the graduation rate here is 39.4%, and the rate of crime on campus is 0.

#46 Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, NY

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A private, nonsectarian university, Pratt Institute is located the city of Brooklyn and serves more than 4,600 enrolled students.  The school was founded in 1887, is comprised of five colleges, and is recognized by Princeton Review as one of the top colleges in the Northeast.  The freshman retention rate at Pratt is 87%, the school’s graduation rate is 62.8%, and the on-campus crime rate is 0.

#47 Manhattan College, New York City, NY

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Manhattan College is a private Roman Catholic liberal arts college located in the Bronx area of New York City.  The school was founded in 1853, serves more than 3,100 students, and is divided into five undergraduate schools.  The freshman retention rate here is 88%, the graduation rate at Manhattan College is 73.7%, and the rate of crime on campus is 0.

#48 Binghamton University, SUNY, Vestal Town, NY

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Located in the Broome County town of Vestal, Binghamton University is a public university that is a part of the State University of New York (SUNY) system.  The school was founded in 1946, serves over 16,800 enrolled students, and has a 887-acre suburban campus.  The freshman retention rate here is 91%, the school’s graduation rate is 80.8%, and the on-campus crime rate is 0.

#49 Marist College, Poughkeepsie, NY

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A private liberal arts college on a 180-acre campus in the Hudson River Valley town of Poughkeepsie, Marist College serves over 5,300 students.  The school was established in 1929, offers more than 75 degree programs, and is consistently ranked as one of the country’s top regional colleges.  Marist College’s freshman retention rate is 90%, the graduation rate here is 80.4%, and the rate of crime on campus is 0.

#50 SUNY Maritime College, New York City, NY

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Located in the Bronx neighborhood of New York City, SUNY Maritime College is a part of the State University of New York (SUNY) system and is one of only seven degree-granting maritime academies in the country.  The school was founded in 1874 and serves more than 600 enrolled students.  The freshman retention rate here is 79%, the school’s graduation rate is 50.1%, and the on-campus crime rate is 1.

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50 Safest Colleges in Texas 2016

TexasThere are more than 80 four-year colleges and universities in the state of Texas. The second-largest U.S. state by both area and population, Texas offers students a wide choice in both public and private schools. If you’d like to attend college in The Lone Star State, here are the 50 safest colleges in Texas.

For the sake of this list, a “college” is considered any accredited public or private not-for-profit institution that offers four-year degree programs. Campus crime stats, graduation rates, and student retention rates were taken from U.S. Department of Education annual reports. Campus crime rates are based on the number of crimes per 1,000 residents.

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#1 Dallas Baptist University, Dallas, TX

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Dallas Baptist University (DBU) is a Christian liberal arts university that is located on a 292-acre campus 12 miles southwest of downtown Dallas.  Founded in 1898, the school began offering four-year degrees in 1970 and has an enrollment of over 5,400 students.  DBU is the safest school in Texas.  The freshman retention rate here is 70%, the graduation rate is 55.2%, and the crime rate on campus is 0.

#2 McMurry University, Abilene, TX

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Located in Abilene, McMurry University is a private liberal arts university that serves just over 1,000 students.  The school is affiliated with the United Methodist Church, offers 45 areas of study, and has a 40-acre urban campus.  Another safe choice, the freshman retention rate here is 59%, the graduation rate is 37.9%, and the campus crime rate is 0.

#3 Southwestern Adventist University, Keene, TX

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A private Seventh-day Adventist-affiliated university, Southwestern Adventist University is located in the city of Keene.  The school serves just 800 students on its 150-acre campus, has small class sizes, and offers an accredited nursing program.  The freshman retention rate at this school is 72%, the rate of graduation is 38.2%, and the crime rate on campus is 0.

#4 University of Dallas, Irving, TX

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Located in Irving, the University of Dallas is a private Catholic university that serves over 2,500 students.  Founded in 1956, the school has small class sizes and reports that nearly 80% of its graduates participate in international programs.  The freshman retention rate here is 77%, the graduation rate is 66%, and the on-campus crime rate is 0.

#5 Abilene Christian University, Abilene, TX

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A private university affiliated with the Church of Christ, Abilene Christian University serves over 4,400 students.  The school was founded in 1906 and was named among the “Best in the West” universities by Princeton Review for 2016.   The freshman retention rate here is 79%, the school’s graduation rate is 56.4%, and the crime rate on campus is 0.

#6 Southwestern Assemblies of God University, Waxahachie, TX

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Located in Waxahachie in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, Southwestern Assemblies of God University (SAGU) is a private Christian university that is affiliated with the Assemblies of God USA.  The school serves over 2,000 students, offers bachelor’s and master’s degrees, and is known for its picturesque campus.  SAGU retains freshman at a rate of 67%, has a graduation rate of 32.4%, and has an on-campus crime rate of 0.

#7 Texas A&M University, College Station, TX

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Texas A&M University in College Station is the flagship school of the Texas A&M system.  This public research university is the fourth-largest university in the country, the largest university in Texas, and is designated as a space, land, and sea grant institution.  There are over 64,300 students enrolled here, and the school’s endowment is over $4.6 billion.  The freshman retention rate at TAMU is 91%, the graduation rate is 79.1%, and the rate of crime on campus is 0.

#8 University of Texas – Dallas, Richardson, TX

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Another public research university, the University of Texas at Dallas serves over 24,500 students.  The 445-acre campus is located in Richardson, 18 miles from downtown Dallas, and the school has more than 130 areas of study in its eight schools.  The freshman retention rate at this university is 88%, the graduation rate is 62.9%, and the on-campus crime rate is 0.

#9 University of St. Thomas – Texas, Houston, TX

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Located in Houston, the University of St. Thomas is a private Catholic university that serves over 3,700 students.  The school was founded in 1947, has three schools, and offers several types of campus housing for students.  The freshman retention rate here is 77%, the rate of graduation is 51%, and the on-campus crime rate 0.

#10 University of Houston – Downtown, Houston, TX

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The University of Houston – Downtown (UHD) is one of the four schools in the University of Houston System.  This public university that sits on a 20-acre urban campus in downtown Houston is the second-largest university in the Houston area and is among the top public universities in the region.  UHD has over 14,200 enrolled students.  The freshman retention rate here is 63%, the graduation rate is 14.1%, and the crime rate on UHD’s campus is 0.

#11 Texas Woman’s University, Denton, TX

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Despite its name, Texas Woman’s University (TWU) is a co-ed university that is located in the city of Denton.  The school is one of the largest state-supported universities for women, and its doctoral nursing program is the largest in the country.  The school has an enrollment of over 15,000 students.  The freshman retention rate at TWU is 73%, the graduation rate here is 41.5%, and the rate of crime on campus is 0.

#12 Wayland Baptist University, Plainview, TX

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Located in the city of Plainview, Wayland Baptist University is a private Baptist university with an enrollment of over 8,000 students.  The school was founded in 1908, has eight distinct schools, and runs several external campuses as well as an extensive online degree program.  The freshman retention rate here is 47%, the rate of graduation is 33.2%, and the on-campus crime rate is 0.

#13 University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, Belton, TX

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A Christian university that is affiliated with the Baptist General Convention of Texas, the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor (UMHB) serves over 2,900 students.  Located in the city of Belton, the school offers degree programs at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate level and has a 170-acre suburban campus.  The freshman retention rate at UMHB is 66%, the graduation rate here is 47.2%, and the rate of crime on campus is 0.

#14 Southwestern University, Georgetown, TX

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Located in the city of Georgetown, Southwestern University (SU) is a private liberal arts college that serves over 1,500 undergraduates.  The school was founded in 1840, is affiliated with the United Methodist Church, and offers more than 40 different degree programs.  The freshman retention rate at SU is 87%, the school’s graduation rate is 70.1%, and the on-campus crime rate is 0.

#15 Baylor University, Waco, TX

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A private Baptist university, Baylor University is located in the city of Waco.  Founded in 1845, the school is the oldest continuously operating university in the state, the largest Baptist university in the world, and has an enrollment of over 16,700 students.  The freshman retention rate at Baylor is 88%, the graduation rate here is 74.7%, and the rate of crime on campus is 0.

#16 Lubbock Christian University, Lubbock, TX

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A private Christian university, Lubbock Christian University is located in the city of Lubbock and serves over 1,900 enrolled students.  The school was founded in 1954, is affiliated with the Churches of Christ, and offers both graduate and undergraduate degrees.  The freshman retention rate at Lubbock Christian is 70%, the graduation rate here is 41.3%, and the on-campus crime rate is 0.

#17 Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, TX

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Located in the city of Huntsville, Sam Houston State University (SHSU) is a public university that is a member of the Texas State University system.  Founded in 1879, the school is the third-oldest college in the state, sits just one hour north of Houston, and serves over 20,100 enrolled students.  SHSU retains freshmen at a rate of 78%, has a graduation rate of 50.6%, and has an on-campus crime rate of 0.

#18 Paul Quinn College, Dallas, TX

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Paul Quinn College is a private historically black college that is located in Dallas, just south of downtown.  The school has a 144-acre campus, is affiliated with the African Methodist Episcopal Church, and serves over 500 enrolled students.  The freshman retention rate here is 57%, the school’s graduation rate is 4.9%, and the rate of crime on campus is 0.

#19 Howard Payne University, Brownwood, TX

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Located in the city of Brownwood, Howard Payne University is a private university that is affiliated with the Baptist General Convention of Texas.  The school was founded in 1889, serves over 1,200 students, is known for its low student-teacher ratio as well as its Christian Studies program.  The freshman retention rate at Howard Payne is 61%, the graduation rate here is 42%, and the on-campus crime rate is 0.

#20 Texas A&M International University, Laredo, TX

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Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) is a public university that is located in Laredo.  The school has a 300-acre campus, is the newest state university, and offers more than 70 degree programs at several levels.  The freshman retention rate at TAMIU is 74%, the graduation rate is 43%, and the rate of crime on campus here is 0.

#21 University of Texas – El Paso, El Paso, TX

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A public research university in El Paso, the University of Texas, El Paso  (UTEP) serves over 23,000 students.  Founded in 1914 as the State School of Mining and Metallurgy, the school now offers over 150 degrees through its seven colleges and its 366-acre campus sits on a hillside overlooking the Rio Grande.  The freshman retention rate at UTEP is 70%, the graduation rate here is 39.5%, and the on-campus crime rate is 0.

#22 Rice University, Houston, TX

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Located on a 295-acre campus in Houston,  William Marsh Rice University, or just Rice, is a private research university that serves over 6,600 students.  The school has a 6:1 student-faculty ratio, is known for its applied sciences programs, and has an endowment of over $5.5 billion.  The freshman retention rate at Rice is 98%, the graduation rate here is 91.1%, and the rate of crime on campus is 0.

#23 West Texas A&M University, Canyon, TX

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West Texas A&M University is a public research university that is located in the city of Canyon, just 13 miles south of Amarillo.  The school was established in 1910, has an enrollment of over 9,400 students, and offers more than 95 degree programs through its five colleges.  The freshman retention rate here is 66%, the graduation is 40.3%, and the crime rate on campus at this school is 0.

#24 Concordia University – Texas, Austin, TX

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Located in the city of Austin, Concordia University is a private liberal arts university that serves over 2,500 students.  The school was founded in 1926, is affiliated with the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, and offers over 30 areas of study.  The freshman retention rate at Concordia is 48%, the graduation rate here is 34.4%, and the on-campus crime rate is 0.

#25 University of Texas – Austin, Austin, TX

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The University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin) is a public research university that is also the flagship school of the University of Texas system.  The school was founded in 1881 and has an enrollment of over 51,300 students, making it one of the largest college campuses in the nation.  UT Austin has also been labeled a “Public Ivy”.  The freshman retention rate here is 94%, the graduation rate at this school is 79.4%, and the rate of crime on campus is 0.

#26 Houston Baptist University, Houston, TX

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Located in Greater Sharpstown in Houston, Houston Baptist University (HBU) is a private university that is affiliated with the Baptist General Convention of Texas.  The school was founded in 1960, has a 100-acre campus as well as three museums, and serves over 3,100 students.  The freshman retention rate at HBU is 63%, the graduation rate here is 43.9%, and the rate of on-campus crime is 0.

#27 University of the Incarnate Word, San Antonio, TX

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A private Catholic university, the University of the Incarnate Word is located on a 154-acre campus in San Antonio.  Founded in 1881, the school is affiliated with the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word, also operates an all-girls high school, and serves over 10,900 students.  The freshman retention rate here is 69%, the school’s graduation rate is 40%, and the rate of crime on campus is 0.

#28 St. Edward’s University, Austin, TX

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Located in the city of Austin, St. Edward’s University is a private liberal arts Roman Catholic university that serves approximately 5,000 students.  The school was founded in 1877, has seven residence halls, and offers more than 60 degree programs.  The freshman retention rate here is 83%, the graduation rate is 69.5%, and the crime rate on campus is 0.

#29 Our Lady of the Lake University, San Antonio, TX

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An independent Catholic university in San Antonio, Our Lady of the Lake University serves over 3,100 enrolled students.  The school was founded in 1895, is affiliated with the Congregation of the Divine Providence, and offers several areas of graduate and undergraduate studies.  The freshman retention rate at the school is 56%, the graduation rate here is 34.1%, and the rate of crime on campus is 0.

#30 University of North Texas, Denton, TX

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Located in the city of Denton, the University of North Texas (UNT) is a public research university that serves more than 37,200 students.  The school was established in 1890, has an 875-acre campus, and offers more than 200 degree programs through its thirteen schools.  The freshman retention rate at UNT is 75%, the graduation rate here is 49.9%, and the on-campus crime rate is 0.

#31 University of Texas – Rio Grande Valley, Brownsville, TX

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A public state university, the University of Texas, Rio Grande Valley is located on a 524-acre campus in the lower Rio Grande Valley in the city of Brownsville.  The school was formed from a partnership between two other colleges but became a standalone university in 2011 and then renamed from UT Brownsville to the University of Texas – Rio Grande Valley in 2015.  The school current serves over 8,600 enrolled students.  The freshman retention rate here is 46%, the graduation rate is 25.7%, and the rate of crime on campus is 0.

#32 Texas Wesleyan University, Fort Worth, TX

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Located in the city of Fort Worth, Texas Wesleyan University is a private liberal arts college that is affiliated with the United Methodist Church.  Founded in 1890, the school owns a 75-acre urban campus, serves over 3,300 students, and offers 27 areas of undergraduate study.  The freshman retention rate at this school is 71%, the graduation rate here is 41.2%, and the on-campus crime rate is 0.

#33 Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX

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Also referred to as Texas Tech, Texas Tech University is a public research university that is located on a 1,830-acre campus in Lubbock.  The school serves over 35,800 students and is the only campus in the state to have an undergraduate university alongside a medical school and a law school.  The freshman retention rate at Texas Tech is 82%, the graduation rate is 59%, and the rate of crime on campus here is 0.

#34 Tarleton State University, Stephenville, TX

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Located in Stephenville, Tarleton State University is a public university that is a part of the Texas A&M system.  The school’s 1,973-acre campus is in a suburb of Dallas-Fort Worth, and it serves over 12,300 students through its more than 85 different degree programs.  The freshman retention rate at Tarleton State is 68%, the graduation rate here is 43.4%, and the on-campus crime rate is 0.

#35 Stephen F Austin State University, Nacogdoches, TX

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Another public state university, Stephen F. Austin State University (SFA) is located in the city of Nacogdoches and serves over 12,900 students.  The school was founded in 1921, is one of just four independent state universities, and offers students more than 120 areas of study.  The freshman retention rate at SFA is 67%, the graduation rate at this school is 43.2%, and the rate of crime on campus is 0.

#36 Austin College, Sherman, TX

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A private liberal arts college in the city of Sherman, Austin College is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church and has an enrollment of over 1,200 students.  The school was established in 1849, has an average class size of 25, and requires that students live on campus for their first three years.  The freshman retention rate at Austin College is 83%, the graduation rate here is 71.8%, and the rate of on-campus crime is 0.

#37 St. Mary’s University – Texas, San Antonio, TX

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Located on a 135-acre campus northwest of downtown San Antonio, St. Mary’s University is a private Catholic liberal arts college.  The school was founded in 1852 by the Society of Mary (Marianists), is the oldest Catholic university in the state, and serves over 3,800 students.  The freshman retention rate here is 73%, the graduation rate at this school is 55%, and the rate of crime on campus is 0.

#38 University of Texas – Arlington, Arlington, TX

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A public state university, the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) is located in a suburb of Dallas-Fort Worth and is the second largest school in the UT system.  UTA offers over 180 degree programs at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate level, and serves more than 37,000 enrolled students.  The freshman retention rate at UTA is 71%, the graduation rate here is 40.4%, and the on-campus crime rate is 0.

#39 Texas A&M University – Commerce, Commerce, TX

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Another public research university, Texas A&M University – Commerce is located in the city of Commerce and is a part of the Texas A&M system.  Founded in 1889, the school is the fourth-oldest college in the state, has a 140-acre campus, and serves over 12,300 students.  The freshman retention rate here is 67%, the graduation rate is 45.2%, and the rate of crime on campus is 0.

#40 University of Texas – San Antonio, San Antonio, TX

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Located on a 725-acre suburban campus in San Antonio, the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) is a public state university and the largest campus in the University of Texas system.  The school was founded in 1969, offers more than 200 degree programs, and serves 28,600 enrolled students.  The freshman retention rate at UTSA is 64%, the graduation rate here is 30%, and the rate of on-campus crime is 0.

#41 Texas State University, San Marcos, TX

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The largest school in the Texas State University system, Texas State University is a public university that is located in the city of San Marcos.  The school was founded in 1899, has an enrollment of over 38,000 students, and offers nearly 200 areas of study through its ten colleges.  The freshman retention rate at Texas State is 77%, the graduation rate here is 57.4%, and the rate of crime on campus is 0.

#42 Dallas Christian College, Dallas, TX

Located in the city of Farmers Branch, which is a Dallas suburb, Dallas Christian College is a private undergraduate college that is affiliated with the Christian Church.  The school was founded in 1950 and has an active enrollment of just over 300 students.  The freshman retention rate here is 58%, the graduation rate at this school is 30.2%, and the rate of on-campus crime here is 0.

#43 Texas A&M University – Galveston, Galveston, TX

Another branch of the Texas A&M system, Texas A&M University at Galveston (TAMUG) is affiliated with the College Station campus and offers ocean-oriented degrees through several maritime-focused majors.  The 135-acre campus is located on Pelican Island and serves over 2,300 enrolled students.  The freshman retention rate at TAMUG is 45%, the graduation rate here is 29.9%, and the rate of crime on campus is 0.

#44 Midwestern State University, Wichita Falls, TX

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Located in Wichita Falls, Midwestern State University is a public liberal arts university that serves over 6,000 students.  The school was established in 1922, is the state’s only public liberal arts school, and has seven colleges that offer more than 70 areas of study.  The freshman retention rate here is 67%, the school’s graduation rate is 44.2%, and the rate of crime on campus is 0.

#45 Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX

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A private research university in the Dallas suburb of Highland Park, Southern Methodist University (SMU) is affiliated with the United Methodist Church.  The school was founded in 1911, serves over 11,600 students, and has an endowment of over $1.5 billion.  The freshman retention rate at SMU is 89%, the graduation rate here is 79%, and the on-campus crime rate is 0.

#46 Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi, Corpus Christi, TX

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Located on a 240-acre campus on Ward Island in Corpus Christi, Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi is a public state university that serves over 11,200 students.  The school was founded in 1947 and offers more than 60 areas of study through its five colleges.  The freshman retention rate here is 57%, the school’s graduation rate is 40.2%, and the rate of crime on campus is 0.

#47 University of Texas – Permian Basin, Odessa, TX

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A state university in the city of Odessa, the University of Texas of the Permian Basin (UTPB) serves over 6,000 enrolled students.  The school was founded in 1973, has a low student-faculty ratio, and has experienced growth due to the area’s recent oil boom.  The freshman retention rate at UTPB is 66%, the graduation rate here is 26.9%, and the on-campus crime rate is 0.

#48 Hardin-Simmons University, Abilene, TX

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Located in the city of Abilene, Hardin-Simmons University is a private Baptist university that is affiliated with the Baptist General Convention of Texas.  The school was founded in 1891, serves over 2,400 students, and offers more than 70 different areas of study.  The freshman retention rate here is 63%, the school’s graduation rate is 51.4%, and the rate of crime on campus is 1.

#49 Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, TX

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A private Christian University, Texas Christian University (TCU) is located in Fort Worth and is affiliated with the Disciples of Christ.  The school was founded in 1873, has a 325-acre urban campus, and serves more than 10,300 students through its eight colleges.  The freshman retention rate at TCU is 90%, the graduation rate here is 76%, and the on-campus crime rate is 1.

#50 Trinity University – Texas, San Antonio, TX

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Located on a 117-acre urban campus in San Antonio, Trinity University is a private liberal arts college.  The school was founded in 1869, is just three miles north of downtown and the popular Riverwalk area, and serves more than 2,400 students who have a choice of 47 majors.  The freshman retention rate at Trinity University is 96%, the graduation rate here is 81.6%, and the rate of crime on campus is 1.

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50 Safest Colleges in California 2016

CaliforniaAs the nation’s most populous state, it’s not surprising that California also has one of the most extensive university and college systems in the country. There are over 140 four-year colleges in the state of California to choose from, some over a century old. If a higher education in The Golden State is in your future, here are the 50 safest colleges in California.

For the sake of this list, a “college” is considered any accredited public or private not-for-profit institution that offers four-year degree programs. Campus crime stats, graduation rates, and student retention rates were taken from U.S. Department of Education annual reports. Campus crime rates are based on the number of crimes per 1,000 residents.

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#1 Menlo College, Atherton, CA

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Located in the Bay Area’s Silicon Valley, Menlo College is a private four-year college that specializes in business.  The college sits on a 45-acre campus in the town of Atherton and is just 25 miles southeast of San Francisco.  The school was founded in 1927 and has an enrollment of just 750 students.  The school has a freshman retention rate of 82% and a graduation rate of 40.8%.  Menlo College is the safest college in the state of California with a campus crime rate of 0.

#2 Biola University, La Mirada, CA

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Biola University is a private non-denominational Christian university located in La Mirada, CA.  The 96-acre campus is just 16 miles from downtown Los Angeles, and the college has a total enrollment of over 5,300 students.  The university is divided into six schools and offers more than 40 fields of study at both the undergraduate and postgraduate level.  The freshman retention rate here is 85%, and the graduation rate is 68.2%.  Another safe choice,  the campus crime rate at Biola University is also 0.

#3 The Master’s College & Seminary, Santa Clarita, CA

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Located in Santa Clarita, The Master’s College is a private non-denominational conservative liberal arts college.  The school offers degree programs in 58 areas of study from a biblical perspective and has an average enrollment of 1,100 students.   The Master’s College has a freshman retention rate of 81%, and its graduation rate is 53.6%.  The campus crime rate here is also 0.

#4 Point Loma Nazarene University, San Diego, CA

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Point Loma Nazarene University (PLNU) is located on the oceanfront in San Diego’s Point Loma area.  The school is a private Christian liberal arts college that was founded in 1902 by the Church of the Nazarene.  PLNU has over 3.400 enrolled students and offers more than 60 areas of study for both undergraduates and graduates.  Freshmen here have an 89% retention rate, and the school has an impressive 72.1% graduation rate.  PNLU’s campus crime rate is 0.

#5 Art Center College of Design, Pasadena, CA

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Located in Pasadena, ArtCenter College of Design is a private specialized college that specializes in a variety of art and design fields.  The college was founded in 1930, owns a 175-acre campus, and has an enrollment of over 1,700 students.  The school has gained recognition for its programs in industrial design, media design, and film from several outlets.  The freshman retention rate here is 80%, and the graduation rate is 64.4%.  The crime rate on this school’s campus is 0.

#6 Woodbury University, Burbank, CA

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Woodbury University is private university located in Burbank.  The school was established in 1884 and has four schools that offer both undergraduate and graduate degrees.  The schools are Liberal Arts, Business, Architecture, and Media, Culture & Design.  Woodbury has approximately 1,500 students on its 22.4-acre campus and has residence halls that can accommodate 225 residents.  The school retains 75% of freshmen, and its graduation rate is 44.7%.  The campus crime rate here is also 0.

#7 Laguna College of Art & Design, Laguna Beach, CA

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Located in Laguna Beach, Laguna College of Art & Design (LCAD) is a private fine arts college with an enrollment of just 500 students.  Founded in 1961, the school offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts in several areas including Animation, Design & Digital Media, and Illustration.   LCAD is considered by many leading companies to be one of the best design schools in the world.  The freshman retention rate here is 84%, and the graduation rate is 63.3%.  The campus crime rate at LCAD is 0.

#8 Pepperdine University, Malibu, CA

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Pepperdine University is private research university in Malibu that is affiliated with the Churches of Christ.  The school owns an 830-acre campus that overlooks the Pacific Ocean and has a total enrollment of 7,600 students.  The school offers many undergraduate and graduate programs and is also home to a School of Law.  in 2016, Pepperdine was ranked 52nd among top “National Universities” and 25th on the list of Best Value Schools by U.S. News and World Report.  The freshman retention rate here is 92%, the graduation rate is 80.4%, and the campus crime rate is also 0.

#9 Soka University of America, Aliso Viejo, CA

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A liberal arts college in Aliso Viejo, Soka University of America was established in 2001.  The school has an endowment of over $1 billion, serves just 400 undergraduates, and specializes in liberal arts studies with an emphasis on such areas as Humanities, International Studies, and Environmental Studies.  Class sizes here average 12 students, the freshman retention rate is 96%, and the graduation rate is 84.2%.  The campus crime rate at Soka University is 0.

#10 California Baptist University, Riverside, CA

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Located in Riverside, California Baptist University (CBU) is a private, Christian liberal arts university.  Founded in 1950, the school is affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention and has an enrollment of more than 8,500 students.    The freshman retention rate at CBU is 77%, and the graduation is 58.1%.  The campus crime rate here is also 0.

#11 Mount Saint Mary’s University, Los Angeles, CA

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A private Catholic liberal arts college, Mount Saint Mary’s University is located in Los Angeles.  The school is considered primarily a women’s college and has an enrollment of over 2,700 students.  Mount St. Mary’s University now has two urban campuses and is among the highest-ranking graduate universities in the western U.S.  The school’s freshman retention rate is 79%, its graduation rate is 63.8%, and its campus crime rate is 0.

#12 Saint Mary’s College of California, Moraga, CA

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Located in the Bay Area suburb of Moraga, Saint Mary’s College of California is a private college that is affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church that serves over 4,100 students.  This suburban school sits on a 420-acre campus just 20 miles east of San Francisco and offers 40 academic majors through its four schools.  The school’s freshman retention rate is 90%, its graduation rate is 67.5%, and its campus crime rate is 0.

#13 Cogswell College, Sunnyvale, CA

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A private college in San Jose, Cogswell Polytechnical College has just 600 enrolled students.  Founded in 1887, the school has programs that range from Engineering to Digital Audio Technology to Game Design Art.  The student to faculty ratio at Cogswell is just 7:1.  The freshman retention rate here is 80%, and the graduation rate is 31.3%.  The campus crime rate at this school is 0.

#14 California State University – Fullerton, Fullerton, CA

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Located in Fullerton in Southern California, California State University, Fullerton (CSUF) is a public research university that is part of the “CSU” system.  With over 38,900 students, the school has the second-largest student body in the CSU system, and it offers more than 240 degree programs.  The freshman retention rate at CSUF is 89%, and the graduation rate is 53.5%.  The campus crime rate here is 0.

#15 University of La Verne, La Verne, CA

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The University of La Verne is a private university located in the city of La Verne, just 35 miles east of Los Angeles.  Founded in 1891, the school has a total enrollment of 7,000 students in its four schools that includes a College of Law.  The school retains freshmen at a rate of 88%, has a graduation rate of 59.3%, and its campus crime rate is 0.

#16 Westmont College, Santa Barbara, CA

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Westmont College is located in Montecito in Santa Barbara County.  This private Christian liberal arts college was founded in 1937 and serves over 1,300 registered students.  The school offers 26 degree programs and has an average class size of just 18 students.  The freshman retention rate here is 85%, the graduation rate is 75.8%, and the crime rate on campus is 0.

#17 Vanguard University of Southern California, Costa Mesa, CA

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Located in Costa Mesa, Vanguard University of Southern California is a private Christian university that serves over 2,500 students.  The school’s programs specialize in liberal arts and professional studies through its more than 30 degree programs.  The retention rate of freshmen here is 76%, the graduation rate is 52.3%, and the campus crime rate is 0.

#18 California Lutheran University, Thousand Oaks, CA

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A private liberal arts university, California Lutheran University (CLU) is located on a 225-acre campus in Thousand Oaks.  Founded in 1959 by the Evangelical Church in America, the school is now nonsectarian and has over 4,200 students.  CLU’s freshman retention rate is 85%, its graduation rate is 70.1%, and its campus crime rate is 0.

#19 University of California – Merced, Merced, CA

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Located in the San Joaquin Valley city of Merced, the University of California, Merced (UCM) is the newest of the state University of California campuses.  Founded in 2005, the school is a public research university that serves over 6.200 students, offering 21 degree programs through its three schools.  The freshman retention rate at UCM is 84%, the graduation rate here is 56.7%, and the campus crime rate is 0.

#20 California State University – Stanislaus, Turlock, CA

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A campus in the California State University system, CSU Stanislaus is located in Turlock and serves over 9,200 students.  The school offers 170 degree programs and is the only school in the CSU system to offer a program in cognitive studies.  Stanislaus State’s freshman retention rate is 87%, its graduation rate is 52%, and the crime rate on campus here is 0.

#21 Otis College of Art & Design, Los Angeles, CA

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Located in the Westchester neighborhood of Los Angeles, Otis College of Art and Design is a private art and design school that serves just over 1,000 undergraduates.  Founded in 1918, the school offers four-year degrees in such areas as graphic design, landscape design, illustration, and toy design.  The freshman retention rate here is 81%, the graduation rate is 57.3%, and the campus crime rate is 0.

#22 California State University – Long Beach, Long Beach, CA

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CSU Long Beach is one of the campuses in the California State University system.  Located in the coastal city of Long Beach, the university serves 37,400 students and offers over 200 degree programs.  The school is the largest publicly funded university in the western U.S. and was included on Princeton Review’s list of “Best Value Colleges.”   The freshman retention rate at Long Beach State is 82%, the graduation rate is 64.9%, and the campus crime rate here is 0.

#23 Azusa Pacific University, Azusa, CA

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Located in the San Gabriel Valley in Azusa near Los Angeles, Azusa Pacific University is a private evangelical Christian university that serves over 10,700 students.  Founded in 1899, the school offers a variety of degree programs as well as a seminary and Graduate School of Theology.  The freshman retention rate at Azusa Pacific University is 82%, the graduation rate is 64.9%, and the crime rate on campus is just 0.

#24 Simpson University, Redding, CA

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A private liberal arts college in Redding, Simpson University is affiliated with the Christian and Missionary Alliance.  The school has a 92-acre campus, serves over 1,300 students,  and offers over 300 degree programs.  The freshman retention rate at Simpson is 81%, the graduation rate is 47.2%, and the campus crime rate here is 0.

#25 San Diego Christian College, El Cajon, CA

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Located in the San Diego suburb of Santee, San Diego Christian College (SDCC) is a private non-denominational evangelical Christian college.  The school was founded in 1970, serves over 1,000 enrolled students, and offers a variety of Bachelor of Arts and Science degrees. SDCC’s freshman retention rate is 68%, its graduation rate is 41.3%, and the rate of crime on campus is 0.

#26 California State University – Sacramento, Sacramento, CA

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California State University, Sacramento (CSUS) is a public space-grant university in the CSU system in the state’s capital city.  The school has over 30,200 enrolled students, offers more than 200 degree programs, and has a sprawling 300-acre campus.  Sac State retains freshmen at the rate of 83%, has a 42.9% graduation rate, and its on campus crime rate is 0.

#27 California State University – Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA

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Located in Los Angeles, California State University, Los Angeles is another CSU school that sits in the University Hills district, just five miles from downtown.  Founded in 1947, the university has a 175-acre urban campus that serves over 27,600 students and offers more than 240 degree programs.  The freshman retention rate here is 82%, the graduation rate is 35.7%, and the crime rate on campus is 0.

#28 University of California – Davis, Davis, CA

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The University of California, Davis (UCD) is a public research university that is the third-largest in the UC system.  The 7,309-acre campus serves 36,100 students, and the school is known for its graduate and professional programs in medicine, law, education, business, and veterinary medicine.  Its  School of Veterinary Medicine is ranked number one in the country.  The freshman retention rate at UCD is 93%, the graduation rate here is 81.3%, and the campus crime rate is 0.

#29 Life Pacific College, San Dimas, CA

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Located in San Dimas, Life Pacific College is a private college that is affiliated with the International Church of the Foursquare Gospel.   The school has an enrollment of approximately 500 students, is a center for missionary studies, and offers both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in several areas.  The freshman retention rate here is 63%, the graduation rate is 51.1%, and the crime rate on campus is 0.

#30 Santa Clara University, Santa Clara, CA

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Santa Clara University is a private Jesuit university located in the Bay Area city of Santa Clara.  Founded in 1851, the school is the oldest college in the state and serves over 8,700 students.  Santa Clara University offers many areas of study, including a law school, and has been named one of the most beautiful colleges in the country.  The freshman retention rate here is 95%, the graduation rate is 84%, and the campus crime rate is 0.

#31 California State University – San Bernardino, San Bernardino, CA

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Located on a 441-acre campus in the Palm Desert area of San Bernardino, California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB) is a public university in the CSU system.  The school was named best college in the western region by The Princeton Review, has over 200 degree programs, and serves more than 20,000 enrolled students.  The freshman retention rate at CSUSB is 89%, the graduation rate is 41.1%, and the crime rate on campus here is 0.

#32 California State University – Dominguez Hills, Carson, CA

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Another CSU school, California State University, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH) is located in Carson in Los Angeles’ South Bay area.  Founded in 1960, the school doesn’t offer doctorate degrees but offers over 65 majors and serves more than 14,600 students.  The freshman retention rate here is 79%, the graduation rate is 29.4%, and the rate of crime on campus is 0.

#33 Dominican University of California, San Rafael, CA

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Located in San Rafael, Dominican University of California is a private college on an 80-acre campus at the base of San Pedro Mountain.  Founded in 1890, the schools is one of the oldest colleges in the state, has an enrollment of 2,200 students, and an average class size of 16.  The freshman retention rate at this school is 86%, the graduation rate is 53.9%, and the rate of crime on campus here is 0.

#34 Hope International University, Fullerton, CA

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Hope International University is a private non-denominational Christian university in the Orange County city of Fullerton.  The school was founded in1928, have five colleges that offer both graduate and undergraduate programs, and serves more than 2,000 enrolled students.  The freshman retention rate at Hope International University is 73%, the graduation rate is 45.1%, and the campus crime rate is 0.

#35 Chapman University, Orange, CA

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Located in the city of Orange, Chapman University is a private university that is affiliated with the Christian Church, aka Disciples of Christ.  The school has eight colleges on its 75-acre campus and has a current enrollment of over 7,500 students.  The freshman retention rate here is 91%, the graduation rate is 76.1%, and the rate of crime on campus is 0.

#36 California State University – Bakersfield, Bakersfield, CA

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A public university in the CSU system, California State University, Bakersfield (CSUB) is located in the city of Bakersfield.  Founded in 1965, the school offers more than 110 degree programs, has an enrollment of over 9,200 students, and has the only public petroleum geology program west of the Rockies.  The freshman retention rate at CSUB is 74%, the graduation rate is 39.5%, and the rate of crime on campus is 0.

#37 California State University – East Bay, Hayward, CA

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Located in the East Bay city of Hayward, California State University, East Bay (CSUEB) is a public university that is part of the CSU system.  Founded in 1957, the university still operates on the quarter system but will convert to semesters by 2020 and serves over 15,500 enrolled students.  The freshman retention rate at CSUEB is 78%, the graduation rate is 38.1%, and the on campus crime rate is 0.

#38 Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, CA

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Loyola Marymount University (LMU) is a private university in both the Jesuit and Marymount traditions.  The school is located in the Westchester are of West Los Angeles, is considered one of the west coast’s largest Roman Catholic universities, and has an enrollment of over 9,000 students.  The freshman retention rate at LMU is 91%, the rate of graduation here is 75.8%, and the on campus crime rate is 0.

#39 California State Polytechnic University – Pomona, Pomona, CA

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Located in Pomona, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona (Cal Poly) is a public polytechnic university that is a part of the CSU system.  The school is the second-largest polytechnic university in the country, with over 23,700 enrolled students, and it offers more than 130 degree programs through its nine colleges.  The freshman retention rate at Cal Poly is 90%, the graduation rate is 52.4%, and the crime rate on campus is 0.

#40 University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA

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The University of Southern California (USC) is a private research university located in Los Angeles.  Founded in 1880, the school’s is the state’s oldest private research university, has an endowment of over $4.7 billion, and serves more than 42,400 enrolled students.  Notable alumni include Neil Armstrong, Clint Eastwood, and George Lucas.  The freshman retention rate at USC is 96%, the school’s graduation rate is 91.2%, and the rate of crime on campus here is 0.

#41 University of California – Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA

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Located in the Westwood area of Los Angeles, the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) is a public research university that is part of the state’s UC system.  The school offers over 300 degree programs, has more than 43,300 enrolled students, and has several professional schools including a medical school and a law school.  UCLA retains freshman at a rate of 96%, has a graduation rate of 90.3%, and has an on-campus crime rate of 0.

#42 California State University – San Marcos, San Marcos, CA

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A public university in the CSU system, California State University, San Marcos (CSUSM) is located in north San Diego County.  Founded in 1989, the school offers over 70 degree programs in its four colleges and has an enrollment of more than 12,700 students.  The freshman retention rate here is 82%, the graduation rate is 47.9%, and the rate of crime on campus is 0.

#43 California State University – Northridge, Los Angeles, CA

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Located in the Northridge area of Los Angeles, California State University, Northridge (CSUN) is a public university and one of the largest universities in the CSU system.  The school sits on a 353-acre campus, offers more 200 areas of study, and has a current enrollment of 41,500 students.  The freshman retention rate at CSUN is 78%, the graduation rate here is 45.8%, and the campus crime rate is 0.

#44 Mills College, Oakland, CA

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A private liberal arts college, Mills College is located in the Bay Area city of Oakland.  Founded in 1852, the school offers undergraduate programs for women only and graduate programs for both women and men.  More than 65 degree programs are available, and Mills College has an enrollment of 1,500 students.  The freshman retention rate here is 81%, the school’s graduation rate is 61.4%, and the rate of crime on campus is 0.

#45 Notre Dame de Namur University, Belmont, CA

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Located in the Bay Area city of Belmont, Notre Dame de Namur University is a private Catholic university that serves over 1,900 students.  Founded in 1851, the school is the third-oldest college in the state and was the first college that granted baccalaureate degrees to women.  The school now offers over 30 different areas of study.  The freshman retention rate here is 77%, the graduation rate is 47.9%, and the campus crime rate is 0.

#46 William Jessup University, Rocklin, CA

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Located in the Sacramento suburb of Rocklin, William Jessup University is a private Christian liberal arts university that serves approximately 1,500 students.  Founded in 1939, the school has a wide range of both graduate and undergraduate degree programs.  The freshman retention rate here is 82%, the graduation rate is 56.1%, and the campus crime rate is 1.

#47 California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA

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Also known as CalTech, the California Institute of Technology is a private university located in Pasadena. Originally founded as a vocational school in 1891, the influential scientists that have passed through its doors have evolved the institution, which now manages and operates NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory.  The school serves over 2,200 students with an endowment of over $2.1 billion.  CalTech’s freshman retention rate is 97%, its graduation rate is 93.1%, and its campus crime rate is 1.

#48 Fresno Pacific University, Fresno, CA

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Located in the Central Valley city of Fresno, Fresno Pacific University (FPU) is a private Christian liberal arts university that is affiliated with the Mennonite Brethren Church.  The school has over 3,600 enrolled students, offers more than 60 areas of study, and has a program that guarantees 4-year graduation for some students.  The freshman retention rate at FPU is 83%, the graduation rate is 54.1%, and the rate of crime on campus here is 1.

#49 La Sierra University, Riverside, CA

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A private Seventh-day Adventist university located in Riverside, La Sierra University serves 2,400 students.  The school is considered a liberal arts college, has four distinct schools, and has a 150-acre suburban campus.  The freshman retention rate here is 76%, the graduation rate is 49.2%, and the rate of on-campus crime is 1.

#50 Pomona College, Claremont, CA

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Located in the city of Claremont, Pomona College is a private liberal arts college that serves 1,600 students.  The school offers 47 majors, has an endowment of over $2 billion, and is ranked among the top  undergraduate schools in the country by U.S. News and World Report and Forbes.  The freshman retention rate at Pomona College is 97%, the graduation rate here is 95.7%, and the rate of crime on campus is 3.

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5 Safest Cities in Wyoming 2016

WyomingLocated in the Western region of the United States, Wyoming is home to over 580,000 residents.  The state is the least populous and second least densely populated U.S. state, with its largest city and capital being Cheyenne.   Nearly two-thirds of the state to the west is covered by the mountain ranges and foothills of the Rocky Mountains, and the eastern part of the state is known as the High Plains.  Major industries in Wyoming include mineral production, agriculture, and tourism.  A few of the state’s attractions are Yellowstone National Park, Grand Teton National Park, and Independence Rock.  If you’re planning a move to the Equality State, here are the 5 safest cities in Wyoming.

Related: Check out our Wyoming Public Records guide.

Our list was compiled based on FBI violent crime stats and proprietary backgroundchecks.org research data.  Rates are normalized per 100,000 residents with the state average being 195 for violent crime and 1,965 for property crime.  This is calculated by taking (# of crimes/population) * 100,000.

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#1 Evanston

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Located in Uinta County, the city of Evanston is home to 12,300 residents.  Also the county seat, the community lies along the banks of the Bear River, covers 10.3 square miles, and is served by the Uinta County School District.  Evanston is the safest place to live in Wyoming, with a violent crime rate of 40.1, and the chance of being involved in a property crime here just 2.3%.

#2 Laramie

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A city in Albany County, Laramie has a current population of 30,800 residents.  Also the county seat, the community is 50 miles west of Cheyenne, is home to the University of Wyoming, and has been included on Money’s list of best cities in which to retire.  Another safe choice, the violent crime rate here is 107, and residents of Laramie have a 2.2% chance of being affected by property crime.

#3 Gillette

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Located in Campbell County, the city of Gillette is home to 31,700 residents.  Also the county seat, this fast-growing community is in the middle of the region that is booming with methane gas, oil, and coal production.  The community is also close Keyhole State Park and Devil’s Tower National Monument.  The violent crime rate in Gillette is 127.4, and the chance of being involved in a property crime here is 4%.

#4 Sheridan

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A city in Sheridan County, Sheridan is home to 29,100 residents.  Also the county seat, the community was named after a Civil War Union General, is known for its well-performing schools, and is involved in such major industries as energy production, ranching, manufacturing, and logging.  The violent crime rate here is 146.3, and residents of Sheridan have a 2.5% chance of being affected by property crime.

#5 Casper

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Located in Natrona County, the city of Casper is home to 55,300 residents.  Also the county seat, Casper is the second-largest city in the state, and the community lies along the North Platte River at the base of Casper Mountain. It is also known as “The Oil City” for its history in oil production and its proximity to the Salt Creek Oil Field.  The violent crime rate in Casper is 151.4, and the chance of being involved in a property crime here is 3.4%.

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5 Safest Cities in Vermont 2016

Vermont Located in the New England region of the United States, Vermont is home to over 620,000 residents.  The state borders Canada to the north, and its Lake Champlain forms nearly half of its western border.  Vermont is the second least populous state, with Burlington as its largest city and Montpelier serving as the state capital.  The state’s landscape ranges from the fertile Champlain Valley to the Green Mountains and the banks of the Connecticut River.  Major industries in Vermont include tourism, healthcare, insurance, and agriculture, with the state being the leading producer of maple syrup.  If you’d like to make The Green Mountain State your next home, here are the 5 safest cities in Vermont.

Related: Check out our Vermont Public Records guide.

Our list was compiled based on FBI violent crime stats and proprietary backgroundchecks.org research data.  Rates are normalized per 100,000 residents with the state average being 100 for violent crime and 1,524 for property crime.  This is calculated by taking (# of crimes/population) * 100,000.

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#1 Essex Junction

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Located in Chittenden County in the town of Essex, the village of Essex Junction is home to 9,200 residents.  The community was incorporated in 1892, covers 4.7 square miles, and is the site of Global Foundries, a large semiconductor plant.  Essex Junction is the safest place to live in Vermont, with a violent crime rate of 55.8, and the chance of being involved in a property crime here just 2.4%.

#2 Milton

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Another town in Chittenden County, Milton has a current population of 10,300 residents.  The community covers 60.9 square miles, was named after English poet John Milton, and is home to several large businesses including Husky Injection Molding Systems and Gardener’s Supply.  Another safe choice, the violent crime rate here is 105.7, and residents of Milton have a 1.9% chance of being affected by property crime.

#3 South Burlington

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Also located in Chittenden County, the city of South Burlington is home to 18,700 residents.  The state’s second largest city, the community is considered a suburb of Burlington, borders Lake Champlain, and is the site of both Burlington International Airport and the headquarters of Ben & Jerry’s.  The violent crime rate in South Burlington is 122.2, and the chance of being involved in a property crime here is 4.2%.

#4 Colchester

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Another Chittenden County town, Colchester is home to 17,000 residents.  Also a Burlington suburb, the community lies along the shores of Lake Champlain and the New York state line and is the site of both the Vermont National Guard and Saint Michael’s College, a private Catholic college.  The violent crime rate here is 122.4, and residents of Colchester have a 3.5% chance of being affected by property crime.

#5 Bennington

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Located in Bennington County, the town of Bennington is home to 15,400 residents.  The community is the largest town in southern Vermont, is the site of the Bennington Battle Monument, and is known for its quality textiles, pottery, and iron.  The violent crime rate in Bennington is 172.1, and the chance of being involved in a property crime here is 3.6%.

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