Note that the OP said:
As I said I have no idea about CS specifically. And you are correct that some state schools that are otherwise targets or safeties are more competitive if they have a CS direct admit program. My friend’s kid attends Illinois and that is one of the top programs in the country I am told
Whats wrong with UMass?
Also, I see nothing wrong with suggesting places like Buffalo, suggestions can always be ignored. For example, I think Case is a great option assuming they can get aid and it is one that people from NYC do not consider. Perhaps OP would consider it for the right school or package? For example, I would not send my kid to California (across the country), but I might if she gets into Stanford! which I see no danger of happening!
Also what about Union as an option? I know someone who is there and they were very interested in computers, no idea if that ended up their major. Again a target more than a safety and not sure about the money
SUNY New Paltz is a very nice school. I would definitely keep it on the list.
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OOS room board and tuition/fees exceed $52,500 this year. This cost doesn’t include books, spending money, transportation, etc. The student would need about $20,000 in merit aid to attend. I’m not sure that is a realistic expectation. And especially if applying for CS which is a highly competitive major.
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Sure, you can certainly suggest anything.
But the OP has provided parameters: distance, cost and likelihood of admission.
If we provide suggestions outside these boundaries it won’t help OP.
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My daughter had a 33, 10th in her class of 300, got $3. From what I could see from results threads, in a lot of cases, test scores were considered for merit as well as gpa.
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UNH is a great campus and supportive environment. With Merit and other scholarships they offer you may get close your budget goal. There is an Amtrak station on campus (have to transfer in Boston from North Station to South Station to get to NYC) and there is a local Coach bus company with really nice buses that run from Portsmouth, NH to NYC.
They have some innovative engineering and computer science programs like this one for freshmen:
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We know and love Stevens. But it is a “reach” financially, because looks like top merit for boys is 30K or slightly above, and mid-20s for most boys, more for girls. So it is still about 45K or more cost of attendance, even with great merit, so outside of our budget. He will submit his SAT if he gets over 1450, anything less I think it is better to go test optional.
Thank you! I am looking for a particular fit, and it is not helping much suggesting schools that are too far or too expensive for “safeties”. We have an idea of the “reaches” and “targets” around us for comp eng/sci, it is “safeties” we struggle to identify.
What about The College of New Jersey? Cost for OOS students is about $37,500 all in. If your student got just a little merit aid, it would match your $35k price point.
Does this $35,000 include the student Direct Loan? That is $5500 for freshman year…and add that loan to $35,000 and The College of New Jersey would be at your price point.
https://admissions.tcnj.edu/about-tcnj/costs-financial-aid/
It’s within your geographic range and seems to have the right major(s) but you will need to check that.
We know students who are graduates and really liked the school.
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York College of PA.
Of course, your student can go for much less than $35K - if you expand to South or West.
If you look at a UNH, UVM, etc. what’s the difference - you have travel time - so an Alabama or Arizona will be dirt cheap - half your budget.
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I know you say 4-5 hours from NY max…but my sample of two…
One kid went to college a two hour drive from home. Whenever there was a school break, we drove round trip to get this kid…actually easily 5 hours round trip.
The other kid went to college all the way on the other coast. That kid hopped on a plane and travelled for 5 hours. We picked her up at the airport. Really…her trips were easier!
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I’m not going to judge the quality of the computer science/computer engineering program. But I’m going to give you some colleges that are ABET accredited in either CS or CE that I think would fall within budget. If no time is listed, it’s within a 5 hour drive. Within each category, the colleges are listed in descending order of graduation rate. All have graduation rates higher than 65%.
This list is categorized based on my very fallible sense of what might be your chances of acceptance AND getting the price under budget.
Guaranteed
Extremely Likely (80-99%)
- Grove City (PA ), 6 hours away
- Elizabethtown (PA )
Likely (60-79%)
- Christopher Newport (VA) sticker is under $35k for OOS, but this is 6 hours away
- Clarkson (NY), but 6 hours away
- SUNY Buffalo (6h40m)
- Rowan (NJ)…sticker is under $35k
- Towson (MD)
- U. of Maryland – Baltimore County
- Montclair (NJ)
Toss-Up (40-59%)
- Loyola Maryland – I think it’s extremely likely for acceptance, but might be closer to $40k than $35k…but could get down to the $35k mark
- U. of Scranton (PA ) – again again, highly likely for acceptance, but might be closer to $40k than $35k but could get down to $35k
- Monmouth (NJ) – ditto above two comments
- Wentworth Institute of Technology (MA) – same
- Manhattan College (NY) – same
- Roger Williams (RI) – same
- SUNY Oswego
Possible (20-39%)
Less Likely (20% or less)
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My son is currently a Computer Science major at Hobart and William Smith, where he received a merit scholarship. An interview is required (can be virtual).
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My DS22 was accepted to Wentworth in Engineering. He received a merit award that brought the COA to $34000, just direct costs. And he received a $1250 book scholarship with the honors program. Hope that helps! GPA: 3.0 Uniweighted, and 1430 SAT
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Congratulations!
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