Big East Conference: Learn About the 10 Member Schools

The Big East Conference is made up of a diverse group of 10 colleges located in the Northeast, Florida and Midwest. Members range from a small Catholic college to large state schools to highly selective private universities. The Big East is particularly strong in basketball. Admissions criteria vary widely, so be sure to click on the profile link to get more data.

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Butler University

Located on a 290-acre campus, Butler University was founded in 1855 by the attorney and abolitionist Ovid Butler. Undergraduates can choose from 55 degree programs, and the university has an impressive 11 to 1 student / faculty ratio and an average class size of 20. Student life at Butler is active with over 140 student organizations. Students come from 43 states and 52 countries. Butler is one of the highest ranked universities in the Midwest.

Location: Indianapolis, Indiana
School type: private university
Enrollment: 5,495 (4,698 undergraduates)
Team: Bulldogs
For acceptance rate, test scores, costs and other admissions information, see the Butler University profile.

Creighton University

Creighton University undergraduates can choose from over 50 academic programs, and the school has an impressive 11 to 1 student / faculty ratio. Biology and nursing are the most popular undergraduate majors. Creighton frequently ranks #1 among Midwest master's universities in U.S. News & World Report, and the school also wins high marks for its value.

Location: Omaha, Nebraska
School type: private Jesuit university
Enrollment: 8,910 (4,446 undergraduates)
Team: Bluejays
For acceptance rate, test scores, costs and other admissions information, see the Creighton University profile.

DePaul University

With over 22,000 students between its graduate and undergraduate programs, DePaul University is the largest Catholic University in the country, and one of the largest private universities. DePaul has one of the best service-learning programs in the U.S.

Location: Chicago, Illinois
School type: Private, Catholic
Enrollment: 22,437 (14,507 undergraduates)
Team: Blue Demons
For acceptance rate, test scores, costs and other admissions information, see the DePaul University profile.

Big Ten Conference

By Allen Grove

Georgetown University

With an acceptance rate of 15%, Georgetown is the most selective of the Big East universities. Georgetown takes advantage of its location in the country's capital—the university has a significant international population, and study abroad and International Relations are both extremely popular.

Location: Washington, D.C.
School type: Private, Catholic
Enrollment: 19,204 (7,459 undergraduates)
Team: Hoyas
For acceptance rate, test scores, costs and other information, see the Georgetown University profile.

Marquette University

Marquette University is a private, Jesuit, Roman Catholic University. The university typically places well on rankings of national universities, and its programs in business, nursing and the biomedical sciences are worth a close look. For its strengths in the liberal arts and sciences, Marquette was awarded a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa.

Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
School type: Private, Catholic
Enrollment: 11,605 (8,435 undergraduates)
Team: Golden Eagles
For acceptance rate, test scores, costs and other information, see the Marquette University profile.

Providence College

Providence College is the smallest member of the Big East conference. This Catholic college typically ranks well for both its value and its academic quality when compared to other master's-level colleges in the Northeast. Providence College's curriculum is distinguished by a four-semester long course on western civilization that covers history, religion, literature and philosophy.

Location: Providence, Rhode Island
School type: Private, Catholic
Enrollment: 4,674 (4,132 undergraduates)
Team: Friars
For acceptance rate, test scores, costs and other information, see the Providence College profile.

St. John's University

St. John's University is one of the stronger Catholic universities in the United States. The university has a diverse student population, and among undergraduates pre-professional programs such as business, education, and prelaw are quite popular.

Location: Queens, New York
School type: Private, Catholic
Enrollment: 21,635 (16,877 undergraduates)
Team: Red Storm
For acceptance rate, test scores, costs and other information, see the St. John's University profile.

Seton Hall University

With a park-like campus just 14 miles from New York City, students at Seton Hall can easily take advantage of opportunities on campus and in the city. As a mid-sized university, Seton Hall provides a healthy balance of research and teaching. Undergraduates will find 60 programs from which to choose, a 13 to 1 student / faculty ratio, and an average class size of 25.

Location: South Orange, New Jersey
School type: Private, Catholic
Enrollment: 10,162 (6,136 undergraduates)
Team: Pirates
For acceptance rate, test scores, costs and other information, see the Seton Hall University profile.

Villanova University

Founded in 1842, Villanova is the oldest and largest Catholic university in Pennsylvania. Located just outside of Philadelphia, Villanova is well known for both its strong academics and athletic programs. The university has a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, a recognition of its strengths in the liberal arts and sciences. Academics are supported by an 11 to 1 student / faculty ratio.

Location: Villanova, Pennsylvania
School type: Private, Catholic
Enrollment: 11,030 (6,917 undergraduates)
Team: Wildcats
For acceptance rate, test scores, costs and other information, see the Villanova University profile.

Xavier University

Founded in 1831, Xavier is one of the oldest Jesuit universities in the country. The university's preprofessional programs in business, education, communications and nursing are all popular among undergraduates. The school was granted a chapter of the prestigious Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society for its strengths in the liberal arts and sciences.

Location: Cincinnati, Ohio
School type: private Catholic university
Enrollment: 7,127 (4,995 undergraduates)
Team: Musketeers
For acceptance rate, test scores, costs and other information, see the Xavier University profile.