I am a rising senior looking to study public health in college. I really like Tufts University, but it is slightly more rigorous than I am looking for, and because Tufts offers no merit aid, it would be out of my budget. Therefore, what are some colleges or universities that have a good public health program and a similar feel to Tufts, but that are slightly less rigorous and offer more money? The factors I like about Tufts is its size, close faculty relationships, suburban location, beautiful campus, and very liberal student body. For reference, I have a 4.0 gpa and 35 on my act. Thank you all for your help!
University of Rochester! It’s pretty rigorous, but good public health and they offer some merit aid. The campus is nice although cold in the winter (tunnels connect a lot of the buildings though). It’s in a city, but it doesn’t have a strong city feel and Rochester isn’t that big anyways.
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Rochester is a good choice, I agree. really nice campus. It’s just the location way out in snowy upstate NY that keeps it from being more popular. I’m not sure if it is less rigorous, but easier to get in, if that’s what you mean.
Lehigh is beautiful and has a new school of health, and is similar in size to Tufts.
Franklin and Marshall is a little smaller but not tiny, and has a public health major.
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Brandeis is worth a look. Located in a suburb outside Boston. Slightly smaller student body that definitely leans liberal.
Wesleyan might fit the bill as well.
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What is your budget and your home state?
Rochester is a good suggestion, but it is academically intense there, even though the admission rate is not as selective as Tufts.
IMO there aren’t a lot of schools like Tufts, but for some more suggestions with certain similarities (all have public health majors and that aren’t highly selective) I will add SLU, George Washington, Elon, SMU, Ithaca, and CWRU to start.
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Case and Rochester both “punch above their weight” in anything health or public health related, so I wouldn’t assume that they will be less intense/less rigorous than Tufts. I think GW is a great suggestion- from the kids I know that are there, you make your own intensity- there are kids who “major” in living in DC, with internships, volunteer work, making political connections, etc., and kids with more traditional academic focus.
Post your budget- we can probably be more helpful with that in mind…
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I would like to stay under $45,000. Also, my home state is Illinois. Thank you for all of your help! I am a big fan of traditional campuses with quads, so I am a bit worried about GW in that regard.
I didn’t see an actual major at Tufts. Typically there’s a BS…more sciency. Or BA…less so.
Rochester and CWRU are in the same academic vein as Tufts. But do have merit.
Don’t assume because a school has less pedigree it will necessarily be less rigorous.
But smaller /mid size schools where you can meet your budget are…and it depends on what you want to do……College of Charleston, UAB, U of SC …big school but can do Honors. Same with Arizona. Allegheny, Mercer, Truman State, Miami of Ohio and one you’ll never consider N Illinois.
Good luck.
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Saint Louis University School of Public Health and Social Justice may be of interest to you.
Read the short, concise Wikipedia entry for an overview.
St. Louis University offers 8 full tuition merit scholarships (Presidential) & many other merit awards of lesser amounts.
Here’s a list of schools which meet your requirements. All are identified by Money Magazine as colleges which meet 100% of need. All would be considered somewhat less rigorous than Tufts - or at least less intense - but all have excellent reputations. All are liberal campuses more or less.
Connecticut College - the best match for what you want IMO.
Macalester- not suburban, but smaller city with access to state capitol for public policy studies/internships
Oberlin- major in “global health”
Denison- also “global health”
Northeastern - not your preferred size or suburban but it’s Boston. Worth considering.
Occidental- officially a “minor” in public health but enough courses for a major
Oberlin, Denison, and Occidental all have opportunities for interdisciplinary and individually designed majors if needed to better match what you’d like in a public health focus.