Have we missed any budget-friendly, outdoorsy, mid-sized options?

Daughter is finalizing her list. We live in Virginia and are looking at in-state schools or a budget friendly out-of-state option. GPA is 4.0/4.17, SAT 1240, 5 APs. Leadership in tech theater. Major will be psychology, career goal is clinical psychology.

She is looking for a mid-size school (<20K students), proximity to mountains because she is an avid hiker, and prefers to have clear option for on-campus housing beyond freshman year. We’re open to anywhere in the Mid-Atlantic or East Coast areas. Her best list for this criteria:

Virginia:
James Madison Univerity
Radford University - Honors College

Out-of-state:
Western Carolina University (NC Promise tuition)
University of Maine (Flagship match)
West Virginia University (Good merit)

Are we missing any hidden gems, especially outside of Virginia? Budget is a big consideration since she’ll go on to grad school and we don’t qualify for need-based aid, so looking particularly for tuition schemes or merit that will get out-of-state schools into in-state range.

She will also apply to some in-state schools outside this criteria (VA Tech, Mary Washington, VCU) to round our her list.

What’s missing?

Ithaca perhaps? I have a relative who got in with sizable merit with similar stats, but class rigor and SAT slightly lower than your daughter. I don’t know about the housing piece.

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What is your budget? App State would fit the other criteria on her list nicely. It is
$36,300 cost of attendance for Out Of State prior to any merit or financial aid.

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University of New Mexico.

I agree with Ithaca. What about Binghamton U? They are actively recruiting OOS students. I think they would offer her a pretty good merit scholarship. Mid sized Uni with lots to do nearby. Has a beautiful nature preserve on campus, lots of river activities, hiking, etc… in the area. Has many excellent housing options for all four years. Tons of great restaurants and plenty of shopping. My son loves it there.

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Ideally 25K all-in after discounts, with some flexibility. We did visit App State, and it stacks up very similar to JMU but JMU would likely be cheaper/closer to home. But very good point, we shouldn’t overlook it!

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Re Binghamton, in terms of outdoorsy-ness, my son turned down the chance to take Hiking for his gym credit. Foolish boy!

Bing is pretty up and coming btw, and is considered the most rigorous of the SUNY’s. Your D seems like a serious student, so she would probably get into the Honors college, which might be even more appealing. Also has a film department. Binghamton University Cinema Department | Cinema | Binghamton University

I’m going to throw you a curveball. It’s not located where you specified, and it’s bigger. University of Utah.

Utah has about 30k students, but due to the commuter and part-time status of some of the student body, students have told me that it just feels smaller, in a good way. Plus, the campus is pretty.

Non-LDS families fear the Mormon influence. It’s there, but SLC is well under 50%. There are tons of great bars and restaurants.

Where it shines is outdoor activities. Accessibility and quality of the outdoors there is probably unparalleled. CU Boulder is analogous, but if she skis or snowboards, even CU can’t hang. There are 7 world class mountains 45 minutes or less away from The U.

They are also generous with merit aid. My son’s SAT was higher, but they offered him a free year, followed by 3 in state. Although deeply tempted as an outdoorsy kid, he didn’t end up there. It was his cheapest option.

Just a thought.

I’ve read that the Binghamton Honors College is great.

Stu Nachbar lists it as one of his “Public Ivy Schools.”

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Run the NPC and check out scholarships for:
App State, UNC-Asheville, WVU, Shepherd University, Sewanee, Hendrix, UNH, U Southern Maine (in addition to UMaine), UT Knoxville.

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Just to add that the hiking is just as good, with National Parks roughly 3-4 hours away in every direction, including Grand Teton/Yellowstone (north), Great Basin (west), Zion (southwest), Capitol Reef (south), Arches/Canyonlands (southeast) and Dinosaur (east). While that may sound like a long distance, lots of kids have cars and they are all very used to driving - D has been to Mammoth (8 hours) for the weekend and Banff (15 hours) for spring break. D has adored the outdoor experience, currently spends most time climbing, but has also done lots of skiing, backpacking, rafting, etc. Even driven to Oregon for surfing.

The outdoor rec center also rents out gear for every conceivable outdoor activity (Outdoor Adventures - Campus Recreation Services - The University of Utah) and organizes trips at fall and spring break.

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I think your budget makes this difficult. Ulyoube been provided great schools. I think you are well above Radford. Someone mentioned Hendrix. They will, for some, match the flagship.

Its ’s not in your geography and a little big but Arkansas meets your outdoor needs. Not sure about mountains exactly nearby but Ohio U is another ti check out. It’s in Appalachia. Both are aggressive $ wise.

Because of your budget, most won’t work financially. Good luck.

App state has a great honors program and good merit for top students. A great campus town in the mountains.

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I was BLOWN AWAY by that program when we visited!

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Yes, definitely helped by the number of people who stay for residency, rather than going home at breaks. OP: if you aren’t from a WUE state then you can get instate rates after the first year by staying over the summer, most merit now assumes you will do that - total four year cost before merit is about $120K if you pay one year at OOS rates of $45K and the rest at instate rates of $25K. For the merit awards they like to see a 4.0UW plus a strong course load of APs or IB (expectations on ACT scores were 33+, but they were test optional last year). My D (now a senior) had 4.0UW/35 ACT/9 APs with 8 5s.

D has spent every summer there, including during COVID, enjoying the outdoors, and there are plenty of jobs in SLC. One of last summer’s adventures: What "Daredevil" Thing Have You Done? - #23 by Twoin18

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I think University of New Mexico would work financially. Location is terrific for outdoor activities. While a flagship…it doesn’t feel that big.

@WayOutWestMom

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University of North Georgia

Know it was already mentioned but Arkansas checks many of your boxes. She would automatically qualify for 80% off the out of state fee with the Non-Resident Tuition Award, and pretty sure other merit scholarships based on GPA/Test Scores/Extra-Curricular stack. Tuition with the NRTA award alone is in the $13,500 range plus another $11k for room and board. Definitely in your range. Also, if you take the necessary steps, you can establish residency in a 6 month period while attending school. It’s not Harvard, but everyone we have talked to seems incredibly happy here.

My D is looking at instate options as well (CA), but this is a strong safety - rolling admissions - she got admitted with the NRTA in 3 days!

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Arkansas is a great school. Lots of Texans. Few schools check the box tuition wise. That’s why I mentioned. Florida State…too big and not mountainous…and the score requirement is much higher for cheap tuition. The Southern schools like Ole Miss, MSU, Arkansas, Bama throw out merit bit Arkansas is closest to the desire. Campus is gorgeous. Academics strong. Area is booming and still affordable. Lots of opportunity.

W Carolina does work $ wise and was mentioned. Jmu in state will. Radford will although that’s one school I’ve never heard good about. Someone mentioned N Georgia. Also works budget wise.

Know nothing about it and it’s small but a lot recommend is warren Wilson.

I think given the $25k budget many listed previously won’t work… like CU Boulder.

It’s Redford level but Ft Lewis would work but it’s in Colorado. And they want to be further East.

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Yeah, but OP indicated mid-Atlantic or East Coast.

I understand…but if folks are recommending Utah, I think New Mexico should be considered as well.

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