As a public university in Michigan with an international reach, Michigan State University began in 1857 -- as the Agricultural College of the State of Michigan -- with only 63 students and five faculty members. Since then, the university has grown in leaps and bounds. Now employing over 4,500 faculty members and educating more than 45,000 students; the university that was once housed in three buildings has expanded to 660 buildings encompassing 5,200 acres.

Thanks to this growth, Michigan State University has kept true to - and expanded - its educational mission. These days students don't just enjoy a large Michigan campus, they're offered impressive study-abroad opportunities as well. According to the Institute of International Education's annual reports in 2005 and 2006, Michigan State University is the top public university in the U.S. for studying abroad. With over 230 programs in 62 countries (from wildlife study in Antarctica to food science in Tanzania), Michigan State University's study-abroad program is one of the most diverse in the nation. Thanks to the school's unique study-abroad program, students are also able to directly enroll in universities in other countries, such as China.