<p>I think it very much depends on the specifics of a school; if this is an important feature for a student, they should be investigating each one. The department websites will usually list, in varying detail and depth, the research opportunities for undergraduates- including whether courses are available or required that involve research with faculty, summer opportunities and how many students are hired, whether the degree involves a thesis component or not, opportunities for research, and publications/presentations undergraduates are involved in. </p>
<p>Though I would further investigate- as its easy to look good on a website- and talk to undergraduates in the major to find out how common it is for students to do research, how available faculty are, how many are selected for the summer grants, and so on. </p>
<p>Schools big and small vary quite a bit in research opportunities but school size doesn’t necessarily matter so much: some small schools give you more connection to professors and LACs are more likely to offer a thesis year where its required and part of the degree to do research. Larger schools may have more of a research culture, and while one may have less contact with professors, most students in such places also don’t realize they can just knock on doors, take initiative and get involved in a lab.</p>