Colleges on the East Coast with strong math/comp.sci. programs and generous merit aid?

College Search & Selection
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<p>Trying to come up with a list of colleges/universities with strong programs in math and/or computer science which are also likely to give some substantial merit aid to a high-stat student (all A's, rigorous course load, AP scholar with honor, 2220 SAT). Not necessarily looking for a full ride or full tuition, but schools that would be comparable financially to a state flagship after merit aid. Hoping to stay on the East coast (Northeast or Mid-Atlantic region). Would really appreciate ideas! </p>

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<p>The NE isn’t great stomping grounds for good-sized merit at schools with comp sci. The NE has sooo many high stats students that their aid tends to be need-based.</p>

<p>how much do you need? in other words, how much will your family pay?</p>

<p>For instance, if your family will pay $15k-17k per year, then you would need a full tuition award. If your family can pay $25k, then you would probably need a 3/4 tuition award. </p>

<p>Much depends on how much your family will pay each year.</p>

<p>are you a NMSF? What state are you from?</p>

<p>What is your M+CR score?</p>

<p>@Fleur007‌ </p>

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<p>The cost of attendance at our state flagship (UConn) is about $25K and we can afford this, but I am wondering if there are smaller schools with more personal attention, interaction between faculty/students, etc. and where the COA would be comparable (+/- 10 K) after merit aid. It is hard to justify choosing another school over UConn if the cost is over $35K per year. </p>

<p>Narrowly missed NMSF in Connecticut, M+CR=1500. </p>

<p>If I should be looking beyond the East Coast, would appreciate other ideas as well! </p>

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<p>I should add: it is hard to justify choosing another school over UConn if the cost is much higher, UNLESS the math/comp sci program is so much better that the extra cost becomes worth it. Perhaps I should try to identify very strong math/comp sci programs and then try to determine the chances of getting merit aid at those schools. </p>

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<p>I would start by taking a look at the Affordable Elite College poll published annually by Washington Monthly magazine, paying particular attention to the column that most closely reflects your family’s income level:
<a href=“http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/college_guide/rankings-2014/affordable-elite-colleges-rank.php”>http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/college_guide/rankings-2014/affordable-elite-colleges-rank.php&lt;/a&gt; THEN, I would do my due diligence by going to every particular college’s website that stands out and try my luck on their net price calculator. There are at least a dozen elite colleges and universities with average net prices in the $25,000 ballpark for incomes ~$75k.</p>

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<p>Here’s a good thread on LACs with compsci:</p>

<p><a href=“Liberal arts colleges with good computer science programs - College Search & Selection - College Confidential Forums”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-search-selection/1391336-liberal-arts-colleges-with-good-computer-science-programs-p1.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Here’s a thread on good compsci programs, many in the northeast:</p>

<p><a href=“Schools With Good Computer Science Programs - College Search & Selection - College Confidential Forums”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-search-selection/405394-schools-with-good-computer-science-programs-p1.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Check out #8 for a list of programs. And a list of lists:</p>

<p><a href=“Google-based Ranking of Computer Science and Engineering Departments”>http://pages.cs.wisc.edu/~remzi/rank.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Their residual costs are something you’ll have to investigate. </p>

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<p>I’ll put in my 2 cents for my own school - Northeastern. It’s got a solid math program (I’m in the math club), and a really strong CS department (I’m a CS minor and TA for a CS class). There’s also the potential for merit aid with the Dean’s Scholarship up to $25,000/yr. There are 13,000 undergrads, but it still feels personal and there are a lot of chances for close interaction with faculty, and research if you’re interested. There’s also the bonus of co-op, and CS/math students can have some REALLY well paid co-ops that often lead to job offers.</p>

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<p>Thank you so much for the resources, everyone!</p>

<p>@nanotechnology: yes, Northeastern is on my list! </p>

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<p>If you’re focusing on merit aid, check out the Kiplinger’s site. Click-sort on the last 3 columns (especially the “Avg non-need-based aid” column). You’ll see that few LACs in the Northeast give very much merit aid, other than women’s colleges (Smith, Mt. Holyoke, Bryn Mawr).<br>
<a href=“http://www.kiplinger.com/tool/college/T014-S001-kiplinger-s-best-values-in-private-colleges/index.php?table=lib_arts&state_code[]=ALL&id[]=none”>http://www.kiplinger.com/tool/college/T014-S001-kiplinger-s-best-values-in-private-colleges/index.php?table=lib_arts&state_code[]=ALL&id[]=none&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>If women’s colleges aren’t an option, consider Oberlin. Of the 10 LACs whose alumni earned the most PhDs in math & statistics from 2008-2012, it’s the only coed college that awards significant amounts of merit aid and is not far outside your preferred region.</p>

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<p>@tk21769, thank you for your help!
Where do you look up the LACs whose alumni earned the most PhDs in math? </p>

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<p>^
<a href=“NCSES”>NCSES;

<p>LACs whose alumni earned 5 or more math/stat PhDs from 2008-12:</p>

<p>21 St Olaf College
20 Williams College
19 Swarthmore College
17 Reed College
16 Carleton College
13 Oberlin College
13 Wheaton College (Wheaton, IL)
12 Whitman College
10 Pomona College
9 Bryn Mawr College
9 Lawrence University
9 Spelman College
8 Grinnell College
8 Haverford College
8 Kenyon College
8 Lafayette College
8 Wesleyan University
7 Bucknell University
6 College of the Holy Cross
6 Davidson College
6 Franklin and Marshall College
6 Kalamazoo College
6 University of Minnesota - Morris
5 Allegheny College
5 Amherst College
5 Bowdoin College
5 Colgate University
5 Concordia College-Moorhead
5 Macalester College
5 Smith College
5 St John’s University (Collegeville, MN)
5 University of Dallas
5 Wellesley College</p>

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<p>@tk21769 Wow, great resource! Thank you.</p>

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<p>Might look at WPI or Holy Cross.</p>

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<p>Holy Cross offers most advanced CS courses only once every two years.
<a href=“http://academics.holycross.edu/mathcs/courses”>http://academics.holycross.edu/mathcs/courses&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;