<p>Hood College in Frederick, MD.
I used this as my only in-state safety (I, personally, wanted to leave MD, not stay).<br>
LOVELY liberal arts college that enrolls around 2,500 undergrads and is on the outskirts of downtown Frederick (so definitely not in-the-middle-of-nowhere). They also have a wonderful Honors program, as well.</p>
<p>It's a private college, yes, but they are very generous with merit and need-based scholarships for high-achieving students (including in-state).</p>
<p>Definitely check into it if you aren't set against private! :) MD is not known for their stellar public universities...</p>