<p>So I'm looking for small college as in 5,000 or less that has a big focus on environmental studies. I was thinking about St. Mary's College Of MD, but when reading reviews, saw that the people there are too laid back (not that its bad), but the campus was very small and it has 1,300 undergrads, which is like a little more than my high school. Either way, I don't want it too expensive either (under $20k), and I'm also planning to do a D3 sport as well. I like the out-there atmosphere which I still like about St. Mary's. I don't want to be near the city is the bottom-line.</p>
<p>Middlebury, maybe? Or SUNY ESF?</p>
<p>I applied to Whitman and Colorado College. Both are very small and outdoorsy. While they aren’t even close to 20k tuition, there’s always financial aid. A friend of mine had no help from his parents at Whitman and graduated with a 25k debt. I have no idea about their sports, but check them out if you want.</p>
<p>St. Mary’s College of Maryland, even for in-state students, costs more than $20K (full cost of attendance). Are you talking about tuition only? Do you mean total out-of-pocket costs after financial aid?</p>
<p>Most small liberal arts colleges cost far more than $20K (full sticker price, total cost of attendance). SMCM is one of very few public LACs; most are private schools that run $45-50K or so.</p>
<p>Anyway, I second the Whitman and Colorado College recommendations, if cost is not in the way. Yes, both these schools have decent financial aid programs. D3, intramural, and recreational sports are huge at Colorado College. It also has D1 men’s ice hockey for an exciting spectator sport (no, you don’t want to get too close to THAT action if you don’t know what you’re doing).</p>
<p>Check out the Semester in the West program at Whitman (for environmental studies). My D discovered the college initially because she heard a discussion about that program on NPR a couple of years ago. Whitman also has roughly 75% of the student body involved in intramural sports. And Walla Walla is a charming small town of 30,000. The student body might be an issue for you, as I think it’s only about 1400.</p>