Panorama of "The Bean" Cloud Gate at Millennium Park on a gray day in Chicago

Great Specialized Undergraduate Colleges and Institutes in the Midwest

Interested in pursuing specialized fields like health care, aviation, or Bible studies? Check out this list of great undergraduate colleges in the Midwest.

Sometimes you know exactly what you want to study in college—and that’s the perfect opportunity to pursue your degree at a school that specializes in your field of interest. Whether you’re ready to pursue nursing, health care, ministry, aviation, or something similar, this list of colleges and institutes in the Midwest is worth checking out. You’ll find well-respected programs and tight-knit communities that will enhance your learning experience inside and outside the classroom. If a school sounds especially interesting to you, just click the green “Connect me” button to request more information. Finding your specialty has never been so easy!

Blessing-Rieman College of Nursing & Health Sciences

Blessing-Rieman College of Nursing & Health SciencesBlessing-Rieman College of Nursing & Health Sciences is a private specialized health care college located in Quincy, Illinois. Nursing and health options include Bachelor of Science degrees in Nursing, Respiratory Care, and Radiologic Sciences; an Associate of Science in Medical Laboratory Technology; several online degree programs; and much more. The College’s proximity to the seven-city-block campus of Blessing Hospital offers convenient access to the school’s parent organization and clinical experience partner, while partnerships with two local liberal arts colleges ensure that every student receives a well-rounded education. 

Connect me with Blessing-Rieman!

Grace College

Grace College & Seminary logoGrace College is an evangelical Christian college and seminary in Winona Lake, Indiana. The College offers more than 100 majors, minors, and concentrations as well as a variety of master’s programs, while Grace Theological Seminary offers several Master of Divinity programs plus a Master of Arts in Chaplaincy, Local Church Ministry, and more. Students have the option to earn a three-year bachelor’s degree plus a master’s with one additional year of study, and professors integrate faith in every degree offered, with many classes including prayer and weekly devotions.

Connect me with Grace!

Kettering University

Kettering University logoKettering University is a private STEM and business university in Flint, Michigan—66 miles north of Detroit. Kettering offers 47 highly-specialized programs to more than 18,000 students who develop essential skills every engineer and business leader needs. University students rotate between 11-week classes and work experiences at one of nearly 500 cooperative employment partners, graduating with two and a half years of hands-on work experience for a résumé.

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Mayo Clinic College of Medicine & Science

Mayo Clinic College of Medicine & Science logoThe Mayo Clinic College of Medicine & Science is a private college specializing in allied health education with campuses in Rochester, Minnesota; Phoenix, Arizona; and Jacksonville, Florida. While the College offers 140+ academic programs across 50 health sciences areas for upper-level students, more than 200 undergraduate students are also enrolled, pursuing bachelor’s degrees in Medical Laboratory Science, Nuclear Medicine Technology, Radiation Therapy, Surgical First Assistant, and more. Students enjoy small classes, an 11:1 student-faculty ratio, and early exposure to hands-on clinical work with patient care teams.

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Moody Bible Institute

Moody Bible Institute logoMoody Bible Institute is a private church-affiliated institution located in Chicago, Illinois. Students can choose from more than 20 areas of study, including Biblical Studies, Languages, and Preaching; Intercultural Studies; Communication; Jewish Studies; Missionary Aviation Technology (offered on the Spokane campus); and much more. Moody offers a foundational knowledge of the Bible and theology in all academic programs, while ministry experiences, chapel, internships, conferences, and mission trips help students learn outside the classroom.

Connect me with Moody!

Northwood University

Northwood University logoNorthwood University is a private specialized business university in Midland, Michigan—55 miles north of Flint. The University offers its 2,200+ students the choice between pursuing a personalized, Honors, or bachelor’s/MBA business program, all of which include hands-on, real-world business experiences. Whether it’s through athletics, spirited debates, Greek life, international travel, or gaming, students find a place to belong at NU with 40+ clubs, Greek organizations, study abroad opportunities, and more. 

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Sterling College

Sterling College logoSterling College is a private Christian college located in Sterling, Kansas—65 miles from Wichita. The College offers more than 80 programs of study—including majors in Christian Ministries, Christian Thought, Biblical Studies, and other liberal arts fields—as well as interdisciplinary studies, pre-professional options, education licensure, and more. Students also have the opportunity to grow spiritually by exploring their faith, attending weekly chapel services, joining a Bible study with peers, or traveling domestically or internationally through mission trips.

Connect me with Sterling!

Looking for other specialized colleges in different parts of the country? Check out more options in the Northeast, South, and West.

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Alfred University

Alfred, NY


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