SOUTHFIELD--Lawrence Technological University (LTU) was named one of “The Best 386 Colleges” in the United States by the Princeton Review.

LTU also again appears on Princeton Review’s list of “Best Midwestern” colleges and universities. Only 158 colleges and universities in 12 Midwestern states made the list for 2020.

"We salute Lawrence Technological University for its outstanding academics and we are truly pleased to recommend it to prospective applicants searching for their personal ‘best-fit’ college,” said Robert Franek, The Princeton Review’s editor-in-chief and lead author of “The Best 386 Colleges.”  

“This recognition as one of the nation’s foremost universities is a tribute to the hard work of our students, faculty, and staff,” LTU President Virinder Moudgil said. “It continues to demonstrate that Lawrence Tech’s ‘Theory and Practice’ approach to education molds well-rounded graduates that not only succeed in their careers, but who contribute to building a better society.”

Only about 14 percent of America’s 2,800 four-year colleges and universities earn a spot on the list of 386 institutions in the book. The company chooses the colleges based on data it annually collects from administrators at hundreds of colleges about their institutions’ academic offerings. The company also considers data gathered from its 85-question survey of 143,000 college students, who rate their schools on the quality of their professors, school services, campus culture, and other facets of college life.

In the “Students Say” section of LTU’s listing, students describe those attending LTU as “the nerds of the nerds and then some student-athletes,” but that deep down, “nearly everyone is a techie.” Indeed, “they all love some form of technology and are extremely good at working with it.” Undergrads here also emphasize that their classmates are “hard working, dedicated and determined.” The majority are “extremely friendly” as well. One student further explains, “As you walk from the atrium to class, you can’t help but have someone say hello and ask how you are doing.” Undergrads also pride themselves on the fact that the university attracts “people from all over the world.” Ultimately, no matter where they grew up, “students at LTU get to know each other fast and form a family. We help each other in courses and lift each other up.”

As for LTU’s academics, respondents said the university’s motto of “Theory and Practice” is not just a slogan. Students said professors are not only “technologically advanced,” but “still in the industries they teach in”—or, as one enrollee put it, “My CAD professor has a day job working at Ford doing CAD and teaches class Monday nights after work.” Not only does this help to provide additional tools and connections to the real world, but because classes are already “relatively small,” there’s more opportunity to interact with faculty. And while professors hold undergrads to a “high standard,” this “extremely helpful and caring staff” is “always willing to go out of their way to help you.”

“The Best 386 Colleges,” published by Penguin Random House, is available online and from booksellers for $24.99. The online version is at https://www.princetonreview.com/college-rankings?rankings=best-386-colleges.

The Princeton Review, www.PrincetonReview.com, is an education services company known for its tutoring, test preparation courses, books, and other student resources.

Lawrence Technological University, www.ltu.edu, is a private university founded in 1932 that offers more than 100 programs through the doctoral level in its Colleges of Architecture and Design, Arts and Sciences, Business and Information Technology, and Engineering. PayScale lists Lawrence Tech among the nation’s top 11 percent of universities for the salaries of its graduates, and U.S. News and World Report lists it in the top tier of best Midwestern universities. Students benefit from small class sizes and a real-world, hands-on, “theory and practice” education with an emphasis on leadership. Activities on Lawrence Tech’s 107-acre campus include more than 60 student organizations and NAIA varsity sports.