The Missouri Valley Conference (MVC or "The Valley") is an NCAA Division I athletic conference with members coming from six midwestern states: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska. The conference headquarters are located in St. Louis, Missouri. The ten member institutions represent a mix of public and private universities that range in size from 3,000 to over 20,000 students. The conference also has three affiliate members for men's soccer: Eastern Illinois University, Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville, and the University of Central Arkansas. The Missouri Valley Conference fields 19 sports.
Compare the Missouri Valley Conference universities: SAT Scores | ACT Scores
1. Bradley University
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Bradley University undergraduates can choose from over 100 programs spread across the university's five colleges: Business Administration, Communications & Fine Arts, Education & Health Sciences, Engineering & Technology, and Liberal Arts & Sciences. The university has wide-ranging academic strengths, and all five colleges are popular with undergraduates. Bradley has a 13 to 1 student / faculty ratio and an average class size of 25 students. Students come from 39 states and 30 countries.
- Location: Peoria, Illinois
- School type: private university
- Enrollment: 5,800 (5,061 undergraduates)
- Team: Braves
- For acceptance rate, test scores, costs and other information, see the Bradley University profile.
2. Creighton University
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Creighton University undergraduates can choose from over 50 academic programs, and the school has an impressive 12 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: 7,385 (4,133 undergraduates)
- Team: Bluejays
- For acceptance rate, test scores, costs and other information, see the Creighton University profile.
3. Drake University
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Drake University students come from 47 states and 54 countries, and they can choose from over 70 academic programs. The university has a 14 to 1 student / faculty ratio and values personal interaction between students and their professors. The school also values real-world experience -- nearly 80% of students participate in a professional internship. Drake University frequently receives high marks for its value and for its level of student engagement.
- Location: Des Moines, Iowa
- School type: private university
- Enrollment: 5,653 (3,548 undergraduates)
- Team: Bulldogs
- For acceptance rate, test scores, costs and other information, see the Drake University profile.
4. Illinois State University
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Founded in 1857, Illinois State University is the oldest public university in the state. Illinois State ranks well for its academic quality and value, and the school has a significantly higher graduation rate than the majority of other public universities with a similar student profile. The university has broad academic strengths, and programs in business, education, and nursing are all highly regarded nationally. Students can choose from more than 200 academic majors and minors. Classes are supported by a 19 to 1 student / faculty ratio, and about two-thirds of classes have fewer than 30 students.
- Location: Normal, Illinois
- School type: public university
- Enrollment: 21,184 (18,389 undergraduates)
- Team: Redbirds
- For acceptance rate, test scores, costs and other information, see the Illinois State University profile.
5. Indiana State University
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Founded in 1865, Indiana State University has an 18 to 1 student / faculty ratio and an average class size of 33. Students can choose from over 100 majors, and professional fields such as business, criminology, education, nursing, and communications are among the most popular with undergraduates. As part of the university's technology initiative, all students who have at least a 3.0 high school GPA and have completed all core courses will receive a laptop from ISU.
- Location: Terre Haute, Indiana
- School type: pubilc university
- Enrollment: 10,534 (8,460 undergraduates)
- Team: Sycamores
- For acceptance rate, test scores, costs and other information, see the Indiana State University profile.
6. Missouri State University
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Missouri State University is the second largest university in Missouri. The university is made up of six academic colleges; majors in business, education and psychology are among the most popular with undergraduates. Students can choose from over 150 bachelor degree programs, and the university has a 19 to 1 student / faculty ratio.
- Location: Springfield, Missouri
- School type: public university
- Enrollment: 20,371 (17,024 undergraduates)
- Team: Bears
- For acceptance rate, test scores, costs and other information, see the Missouri State University profile.
7. Southern Illinois University Carbondale
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SIUC ranks highly among public universities in the Midwest, and students come from all 50 states and over 100 countries. Students can choose from over 100 Bachelor's degree programs, and professional fields such as engineering, education, management and criminal justice are extremely popular among undergraduates. The university has a 16 to 1 student / faculty ratio. With over 450 student organizations, SIUC provides students with lots of opportunities for campus involvement.
- Location: Carbondale, Illinois
- School type: pubic university
- Enrollment: 20,350 (15,551 undergraduates)
- Team: Salukis
- For acceptance rate, test scores, costs and other information, see the Southern Illinois University Carbondale profile.
8. University of Evansville
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Affiliated with the Methodist Church, the University of Evansville prides itself on the strength of its international efforts -- students come from roughly 40 states and 50 countries. Students at the University of Evansville receive lots of personal attention -- the school has a 13 to 1 student / faculty ratio and an average class size o 18.
- Location: Evansville, Indiana
- School type: private Methodist university
- Enrollment: 2,840 (2,672 undergraduates)
- Team: Purple Aces
- For acceptance rate, test scores, costs and other information, see the University of Evansville profile.
9. University of Northern Iowa
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The University of Northern Iowa, UNI, consistently ranks highly among Midwest Master's universities. At the undergraduate level, business and education are the most popular areas of study. 93% OF UNI students come from Iowa, but the university has a global focus and a significant percentage of students study abroad.
- Location: Cedar Falls, Iowa
- School type: public university
- Enrollment: 13,303 (11,381 undergraduates)
- Team: Panthers
- For acceptance rate, test scores, costs and other information, see the University of Northern Iowa profile.
10. Wichita State University
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Established in 1895 and located in the biggest city in Kansas, Wichita State University has a 20 to 1 student / faculty ratio, and about two-thirds of classes have fewer than 30 students. Professional fields in business, nursing, education and engineering are all popular with undergraduates. Students come to the 330-acre main campus from all around the country and world, but the great majority (over 90%) are from Kansas.
- Location: Wichita, Kansas
- School type: public university
- Enrollment: 14,601 (11,540 undergraduates)
- Team: Shockers
- For acceptance rate, test scores, costs and other information, see the Wichita State University profile.
