University of North Texas (UNT)

The University of North Texas has all the advantages and disadvantages that you'd expect from a mammoth, research-focused public university. On the plus side, there is "reasonable tuition," and you can choose from a "huge amount of classes and electives." However, courses—particularly the introductory ones—tend to be "larger sized" at best. Also, the faculty is "very mixed." "Some are great," reports a history major. The great professors are "enthusiastic" and "very entertaining." They "do whatever it takes to make their students interested." The weaker links include professors who "really don't seem to care" and "uninspired doctoral candidates." Among the 100 or so undergraduate majors available here, the cream of the crop are the "excellent visual art programs" and the "amazing," dynamic, nationally renowned, and "very difficult" College of Music. UNT is also "very well known for" its education program. There are some unique majors, too, including entrepreneurship and something called aviation logistics. You can also leave here with a well-respected certificate in computer game programming.

If you are a first-year student fresh out of high school, the odds are you'll have to live on campus. Nevertheless, UNT continues to be largely "a commuter school." Commuters often lament the parking situation. If you can find a place to park, though, this "unpretentious, laid-back" campus has a lot to offer. There are "tons of campus groups to join"—more than 300, in fact. "People are always outside" when the weather is nice (and it usually is) and many students spend time at the gargantuan and very snazzy recreation center. Fraternities and sororities also play an active (though not huge) role in the social pecking order. Denton, the decent-sized surrounding city that surrounds UNT, is located on the very northern periphery of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. A few critics argue that there is "not too much to do" here. However, most students are more than satisfied with the locale. "It's a great place to live with a vibrant art and music scene," "good nightlife," businesses "geared toward young people," and "little hidden gems everywhere to hang out." "If I want to party hard or shop, I can go to Dallas," admits one student.

If you are a first-year student fresh out of high school, the odds are you'll have to live on campus. Nevertheless, UNT continues to be largely "a commuter school." Commuters often lament the parking situation. If you can find a place to park, though, this "unpretentious, laid-back" campus has a lot to offer. There are "tons of campus groups to join"—more than 300, in fact. "People are always outside" when the weather is nice (and it usually is) and many students spend time at the gargantuan and very snazzy recreation center. Fraternities and sororities also play an active (though not huge) role in the social pecking order. Denton, the decent-sized surrounding city that surrounds UNT, is located on the very northern periphery of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. A few critics argue that there is "not too much to do" here. However, most students are more than satisfied with the locale. "It's a great place to live with a vibrant art and music scene," "good nightlife," businesses "geared toward young people," and "little hidden gems everywhere to hang out." "If I want to party hard or shop, I can go to Dallas," admits one student.