Millikin in Decatur brings serious arts and music chops to Illinois, a mid-sized private that punches above its weight in performance and design programs. The music and performing arts programs are legitimately strong — if you sing, act, or design, professors here know their stuff and will push you hard.
Business school is solid too, with good internship connections to Springfield and Chicago. You'll get the classic liberal arts foundation mixed with professional training, which actually matters when you graduate. Campus life is lively for a school this size — students are engaged, events happen, there's real community feel.
Millikin gives you that sweet spot: serious academics, respected programs, and enough resources to actually support your work. Decatur isn't flashy, but it's real, and so is the education you'll get here.