Any suggestions for liberal arts schools that are strong in STEM but not super selective? We certainly know about Amherst, Williams, etc., but what about schools with acceptance rates in the 40plus percent range? Any suggestions greatly appreciated!
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All LACs will have some offerings in STEM. A few offer engineering. Lafayette and Bucknell are both in the low-30s, so less selective than the top tier but still really good options. Union College is in the 40’s and definitely leans more STEM than the other LACs. D20 toured all 3. They all have a different feel but might be good options to look at.
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St Olaf depending on what type of STEM
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Yeah - all will have STEM to some degree - so you need more than that.
Any geography?
I mean, NE you have your Trinity, CT College. Out in CA you have your Occidntial - or a boatload in the NW.
Some have engineering. Others have tie ins for engineering 3/2s.
Otherwise, look at the rankings - start at #40 and down - and you’ll find your list of schools.
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As also suggested above, look into Union.
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D visited Union and it’s top of her list. Would love to find more like Union but it seems pretty unique (with far more stem majors than the basic bio/chem/physics). May look at Lafayette but it’s more selective.
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What majors are you looking for? Are you looking in a certain geographic area? We toured a whole bunch of LACs in NE/NY/PA but if you are looking outside of the area or have a specific program you’re looking for, they may not fit the bill.
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Be more specific than “STEM”. Many LACs do not have E(ngineering). Even less common generally (and among LACs) is (engineering) T(echnology). Among S(science) and M(ath), some may be strong in some but not other subjects.
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We’re in the mid-Atlantic and mostly looking within a days drive (but open to considering anywhere). As for programs she hasn’t narrowed it much, but when she sees a list of majors that includes more than the basic bio/chem/physics she gets excited. So it’s when she sees things like biochemistry, astrophysics, or materials science. I think this comes from wanting to break free of the basic science classes in high school and dig into something really interesting. Another factor is she’d like a school climate that’s super welcoming and where kids can be themselves, and that’s very LGBTQ friendly.
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Day’s drive or 5 hours flight - what’s the difference 
I’d look at Eckerd (FL), Agnes Scott (GA), Mt. Holyoke, Bryn Mawr, College of the Atlantic, Connecticut, Macalester (MN), Oberlin (OH). Dennison too.
A few are further away.
I do think an Occidental in CA could work or some of the schools in Portland (Willamette, William & Clark) - and throwing in a flagship - UVM.
Good luck
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While not a true LAC, Geneseo is the LAC of the SUNY system. They have some interesting majors. Hobart & William Smith has a geoscience program and a stunning campus. I agree with looking at MHC and might add Holy Cross, if Jesuit schools are OK (might not tick the lgbtq+ box enough).
Have her check out the College of Wooster
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Trinity (CT), Bucknell, and Union all have acceptance rates in the 30s; Augustana has an acceptance rate in the 50s. All offer undergrad engineering programs. Whitman College has an acceptance rate in the 50s and has an exceptional commitment to environmental science.
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Just getting a little nutty but you have some decent public LACs in mid Atlantic. Or in range. UNC Asheville and St Mary’s in Maryland are two public LACs
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STEM is an unfortunate name because relatively few LAC (and not every college) has engineering. Furthermore at many/most colleges that do offer it if you start out in a non-engineering major it is difficult to transfer into engineering. So I suggest your daughter at least consider whether she’d want an engineering major, although with the interests you’ve listed it doesn’t sound like it.
Look at Muhlenberg. Strong in bio and Chem.
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Earlham really punches above its weight in the sciences.
Another vote for Union.
RIT might be worth a look as well depending on interests.
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Not nutty at all, and she’s considering both. St. Mary’s has an interetesing materials science concentration that students often pair with environmental studies. And UNC Asheville has the right vibe (though I’d like to know more about the strength of the sciences there). I know UNC-A has one enginnering major on campus and a 3-2 enginneeriung partnership with NC State.
Wow, I don’t think you need us. You are well researched. I thought nutty because usually when one says LAC, they don’t think public.
Clarkson University in Potsdam, NY.
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