<p>We are VA state residents and DS will apply to several VA schools. But two are reaches and the others are safety schools for him. He does not know what he wants to major in and really has no leanings and seems to prefer a medium sized school (no tiny LAC's). He has about a 3.5+ GPA uw (with lots of AP courses) and around a 2050 SAT. We will get no financial aid but won't pay $50+ a year either! It is tough to come up with target schools.<br>
He does not see much reason to go out of state and although I do not disagree, I want him to take a fair look around before he decides this. He watched his older sibling go through the application process and visited lots of schools then. I have spent a good part of the weekend trying to come up with target schools to suggest to him and having a great deal of trouble! Any suggestions?</p>
<p>How much are you able and willing to pay?</p>
<p>Kiplinger’s puts out an annual “Best Values in Public Colleges” list.
Most of these schools have OOS costs under $50K, but how far under do you need it to be?
UVa and W&M are a little under $25K in-state, right?
Maryland (College Park), Pittsburgh, or Clemson would be less selective but also about $15K more for OOS (high $30s). The SUNY schools’ OOS prices are around $30K. </p>
<p>[Kiplinger’s</a> Best Values in Public Colleges-Kiplinger](<a href=“http://www.kiplinger.com/tool/college/T014-S001-kiplinger-s-best-values-in-public-colleges/index.php]Kiplinger’s”>Best College Values, 2019 | Kiplinger)</p>
<p>Elon University (private, NC) appears to be in match range.
Total COA is ~$40K.</p>
<p>Yep - UVA/WM are just under $25 - the closer to the low $30’s the better but I am seeing that as next to impossible. Thanks for the link - it makes looking at public out of state costs much easier! I think he would take U of Wisc over Maryland and I think he can get in to both. I like Pitt not sure he does! Will look at Clemson don’t know anything about it or the SUNY schools. We visited Elon with S1 - I think it would be a no for S2 - don’t ask why! it just would be! Kids and their senses!</p>
<p>Georgia Tech.</p>
<p>GWU and American if you can get merit.</p>
<p>west chester university is a great school at an awesome price</p>
<p>We are from Va. I’m guessing you feel that JMU & VT are safeties but you would like more choices. I suggest he know which of those schools he prefers and apply, and then maybe to CNU as a smaller alternative. I have 2 in college out-of-state. Each applied to around 10 schools. We would not have been able to predict the merit/bottom line cost before results came in. The costs re-ordered completely. D received 1/2 off the tuition for 4 yrs at the school she chose. Both kids ended up at higher ranked schools than their options were in-state. BUT if it had been their idea to stay in-state, I wouldn’t have pushed oos ~ it better be their idea.</p>
<p>^^ I’ll second Elon. They seem to have positioned themselves nicely - not too expensive, and yet selective. But I’m afraid I have no other ideas for you if you want medium-sized. I wish I did 'cause I appreciate the spot you are in. In NOVA, I know, the kids work too hard (shooting for UVA & WM) to then settle, happily, for JMU or VT. They can be quite resentful.</p>
<p>Little known Slippery Rock and other PA state schools are only 18,000 a year for the regular dorm for out of state students if they keep a 3.0 GPA. If they upgrade to the LLC, the living learning communities it is more expensive - about $21000 a year - but the rooms are awesome - wood floor in the entry - built in microwave and refrigerator - and own bathroom shared by just one other person. Professors are awesome, they really want the kids to succeed.</p>
<p>I could have written this post. We are also Virginia residents, but DS’s SAT scores are a bit lower. He doesnt really want to go far away and wants a mid-size school. In addition to VA publics, his list includes URichmond, Elon (NC) and American and GWU (DC). There are some really great schools in PA too which isnt too far away and might be surprisingly affordable. Check out some NPCs.</p>
<p>Thanks for the responses! I am going to ask him to take another look at Elon.</p>
<p>@snugapug - yes I see JMU as a safety. Vt would be a target but I don’t get the idea that this would be a good school if he does not know what he wants to major in. I have this feeling that VT is a great school for specific majors - do you think differently?</p>
<p>Thanks again to all who replied - I am going to take a look at your suggestions.</p>