Frequently Asked Questions

Which Colleges Are the Original Big Ten Schools?

The original Big Ten schools are the seven founding members of the Western Conference (later the Big Ten): the University of Chicago, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, University of Michigan, University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Northwestern University, Purdue University, and University of Wisconsin–Madison.

Indiana University Bloomington and The Ohio State University joined soon after and are often included when people casually say “the original Big Ten. ”

Quick list: original Big Ten era schools

To understand “original,” it helps to separate true founding members from early joiners.

Founding members of the Western Conference (1896):

University of Chicago (no longer a Big Ten athletic member)
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
University of Michigan
University of Minnesota Twin Cities
Northwestern University
Purdue University
University of Wisconsin–Madison

Early additions commonly grouped with the “originals”:

Indiana University Bloomington (joined 1899)
The Ohio State University (joined 1912)

Here is the key point:

The phrase “original Big Ten” is informal, but in college discussions it usually means these long-standing Midwestern universities plus Northwestern that anchored the conference before major modern expansion.

How the Big Ten started (and why it matters)

The Big Ten traces back to 1895, when several Midwestern universities created the “Intercollegiate Conference of Faculty Representatives. ” The conference began competition in 1896.

The original aim was to standardize eligibility and rules for college athletics while reinforcing academic expectations across member schools.

Why does this matter for you as a future applicant?

It helps explain why many Big Ten institutions emphasize both academics and athletics.
It shows why several are major research universities with large alumni networks.
It gives context for the culture and traditions you’d encounter on campus.

What does this mean for your college list?

When someone says they want to apply to “Big Ten schools,” they usually mean a mix of these historic members plus later additions like Penn State, Michigan State, and Nebraska, depending on interests and geography.

Founding Big Ten members: brief snapshots

Below is an overview of the seven founding institutions, focused on high-level information that matters to many prospective students.

University of Chicago (no longer an athletic Big Ten member)

The University of Chicago helped found the conference but left Big Ten athletics in 1946 to focus more on academics and a different athletic profile.

Key notes for students:

Highly selective private research university in Chicago, Illinois.
Known for rigorous academics, its Core Curriculum, and strengths in economics, mathematics, and the social sciences.
No longer competes in the Big Ten, but historically a core founding institution.

The bottom line:

In modern conversations about Big Ten sports or admissions, UChicago is usually treated separately, even though it was there at the start.

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC)

UIUC is a large public flagship campus located in Urbana and Champaign, Illinois.

Known for engineering, computer science, business, agriculture, and extensive research activity.
Campus feel: classic large-campus environment with a strong college-town atmosphere.
Admissions are more competitive for majors like engineering and computer science than for some other programs.

Here is the nuance:

At UIUC and several other Big Ten schools, your chances vary a lot by major because some programs receive far more applications.

University of Michigan (Ann Arbor)

The University of Michigan is a highly selective public research university in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Strengths include engineering, business, pre-health fields, social sciences, and the arts.
Reputation: often regarded as one of the top public universities in the United States.
Admissions are very competitive, particularly for out-of-state students and certain colleges within the university.

For many applicants, Michigan functions as a reach school unless their academic profile is especially strong.

University of Minnesota Twin Cities

The University of Minnesota Twin Cities is a large public research university in Minneapolis–Saint Paul.

Strengths: biological sciences, engineering, business, and public health, among others.
Campus feel: urban setting with distinct campus areas along the Mississippi River.
Admissions are generally somewhat less selective than schools like Michigan or Northwestern, though strong academics still matter.

From an application strategy standpoint, many students view Minnesota as a possible target or low-reach, depending on grades, rigor, and residency.

Northwestern University

Northwestern is a private research university located in Evanston, Illinois, just north of Chicago.

Known for programs in journalism, theater, engineering, economics, and communication.
Holds an academically elite reputation with Big Ten athletic membership.
Admissions are highly selective and holistic, with emphasis on strong academics and distinctive interests.

Because Northwestern is private, financial aid structures and overall costs may look different from those at public Big Ten flagships.

Purdue University

Purdue University is a major public research institution in West Lafayette, Indiana.

Widely recognized for engineering, aviation, agriculture, and other STEM fields.
Culture: strong focus on applied science, internships, and co-op opportunities.
Admissions are more competitive for engineering and computer science than for some other majors.

Students interested in a STEM-centered environment often see Purdue as a leading option within the Big Ten landscape.

University of Wisconsin–Madison

UW–Madison is the flagship public university of Wisconsin, located in Madison, the state capital.

Strengths: biology, engineering, business, public affairs, and social sciences.
Campus feel: lakeside setting with a vibrant college-town and state-capitol combination.
Admissions are moderately to highly selective, especially for nonresident applicants.

This blend of academics, school spirit, and campus life makes UW–Madison a popular choice across the country.

Early additions often grouped with “original Big Ten” schools

In sports and regional culture conversations, people often casually include Indiana and Ohio State when they say “original Big Ten. ”

Indiana University Bloomington

Indiana University Bloomington joined the conference in 1899.

Noted for programs in business, music, media, and education.
Campus feel: wooded, traditional campus with strong arts and social life.
Admissions are generally accessible for strong students, with some programs more selective than others.

For many Midwestern applicants, IU serves as a possible target or match school, especially for business or music.

The Ohio State University (OSU)

The Ohio State University joined the conference in 1912 and is now one of the best-known Big Ten institutions.

Offers strengths in engineering, business, health sciences, and many additional majors.
Campus feel: very large, energetic campus in Columbus with significant school spirit.
Admissions are moderately selective overall, with increased competition for certain colleges and scholarships.

Because of its size and resources, OSU attracts students who want a wide range of academic and extracurricular options.

“Original” versus “modern” Big Ten eras

Today’s Big Ten includes institutions that joined long after the founding years.

Expansion beyond the original Midwestern core has brought in universities from other regions of the United States.

To keep the history straight, it helps to group Big Ten membership into broad eras:

Founding and early members (pre–World War I): Chicago, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Northwestern, Purdue, Wisconsin, Indiana, and Ohio State.
Mid-20th century additions: Iowa and Michigan State, followed later in the century by Penn State.
Modern expansion era: Nebraska, Maryland, Rutgers, UCLA, USC, Oregon, Washington, and other recent additions.

Here is why this context can matter for students:

Founding and early members are often long-established public flagships plus Northwestern, with deep alumni bases in the Midwest.
Modern additions extend the Big Ten’s geographic reach, influencing where alumni live and where conference visibility is highest.
For applications, though, fit, cost, academics, and outcomes matter more than conference history alone.

Using original Big Ten schools in your college search

If you are using “original Big Ten” schools as a starting point for a college list, keep the focus on academic and personal fit rather than just the conference label.

Here is a practical way to think about it.

Step 1: Clarify your priorities

Before focusing on specific universities, identify what you really want from college.

Size: Do you prefer a huge campus like Ohio State or a smaller private setting like Northwestern?
Location: Urban environments (Minnesota, Northwestern) versus college towns (Purdue, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan).
Programs: Which majors or academic areas are essential for you?
Campus culture: How important are sports, school spirit, research, and activities?
Budget: Are you in-state, out-of-state, or relying on need-based or merit aid?

Once your priorities are clear, comparing different Big Ten schools becomes much simpler.

Step 2: Map your academic profile

Next, line up your grades, course rigor, and test scores (if you plan to submit them) with the typical ranges at each institution.

Treat schools like Michigan and Northwestern as reaches for most applicants.
Expect programs such as Purdue engineering and Illinois engineering or computer science to be more selective than many majors.
View Minnesota, Indiana, and Ohio State as potential targets or matches for well-prepared students, depending on residency and program.

So how do you build a balanced list?

Include a healthy mix of reach, target, and likely schools, even if most of them are in the Big Ten family.

Step 3: Look beyond the Big Ten label

The idea of “original Big Ten” is a helpful historical lens, but it should not limit your options.

Compare these schools with other strong public flagships that might fit your goals.
Consider private universities whose academic and financial profiles align with your needs.
Think about where you might want to live or work after graduation, since alumni networks often have regional strengths.

The key takeaway:

Use the original Big Ten as a starting framework to explore universities, not as a strict boundary for your choices.

Common misconceptions about the original Big Ten schools

Because conference realignment is frequently in the news, it is easy to lose track of which schools have long Big Ten histories.

Misconception 1: The Big Ten has always had exactly ten schools. Membership numbers have changed over time, even while the conference name stayed the same.
Misconception 2: Every current Big Ten member is a Midwestern public flagship. Northwestern is private, and several newer members are based on the East and West Coasts.
Misconception 3: Founding status automatically means higher prestige. Academic strength depends on specific programs, student experience, and outcomes.

For your college applications, focusing on concrete factors like programs and affordability will serve you better than focusing only on history.

Putting it all together

To summarize, the “original” Big Ten schools usually refer to Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Northwestern, Purdue, Wisconsin, and the early joiners Indiana and Ohio State, with the University of Chicago noted as a historical founder.

Each offers a distinct mix of academics, size, selectivity, and campus culture, and no single institution is universally “best. ”

Start by clarifying your goals around major, environment, and budget.
Research several Big Ten options that align with those priorities.
Use official admissions websites and campus tours to refine your list.
Consider adding a few non–Big Ten schools so your final list stays balanced.

If you would like more tailored guidance choosing among Big Ten and non–Big Ten schools, Empowerly’s counselors can help you evaluate fit and build a strong, well-balanced college list.