Overwhelmed with college search - ecology,liberal,outdoors

@Elijah123, As you can judge from the response quite a few small liberal arts colleges can offer outdoorsy, liberal environments, but before you start making your list, you need to clarify your financial situation.

If you qualify for sufficient need-based financial aid, then you will find that many private LACs have generous need-based programs. Ask your parents to use each college’s net price calculator (found on the college’s website) to get an idea of your estimated family contribution. If that works, then good, you can put together a wide ranging list.

If, however, it turns out your EFC is unaffordable, then you will need to find colleges that offer MERIT aid. Many colleges, including quite a few that have been recommended here, are need-only. You have check each one individually.

If need-based aid works for you, then you might look at Williams College which has excellent environmental and biology programs and a super-active Outing Club. It offers majors in Environmental Science and in Environmental Polivy. Williams is highly selective though so you’ll need to bump up those scores a bit and put together a compelling application.

Montana State

Seconding Eckerd College. It’s worth a visit - and you could even ask for a pet dorm which would allow you to keep a snake with you.

Thirding Eckerd College.

Plus Rollins College and the New College of Florida. That last one is so liberal it’ll knock your liberal socks off.

They’re all located on the gulf coast of Florida.