Small LACs with likely merit

Paying for College
1

My D is a junior interested in attending a small LAC. We will not qualify for need based aid at most schools, but are not willing to spend more than $30k per year for undergrad. Her stats are:

4.0 unweighted
34 ACT (one test, not planning to take it again)
Good ECs and leadership positions
Some volunteer work and a 60 hour service learning project
Seasonal work since she was 14
Classical pianist with some awards, but not planning to major in music

She understands the financial parameters and does not need to be in a top 50 or even a top 100 school.

Thanks

2

St Olaf comes to mind immediately. Great LAC with a wonderful music program for non majors with extra merit.

3

Here are some that D looked at or applied to that came in around that price point:

-Wheaton (MA)
-St. Lawrence
-Muhlenberg
-Susquehanna
-Allegheny
-Gettysburg
-Juniata
-Ursinus

Check out the CTCL schools (some are included here) There are many LACs that offer great merit for high stats kids.

4

Ursinus in Pennsylvania and Ohio Wesleyan in Ohio have automatic scholarships listed on their websites. Other PA LACs that would very likely give good merit to your daughter are Allegheny, Susquehanna, and Juniata. Dickinson and Gettysburg (more selective than the previously mentioned schools) also have merit available but I don’t know if you could get costs down to $30,000.

5

Truman State and University of Minnesota - Morris may be within budget even at out-of-state list price (they may also have merit scholarships).

6

Knox college. You can stack merit.

Illinois Wesleyan University and she will get money
Possibly a full ride.

Beloit College… Possibly a full ride on merit.

I can answer questions about IWU and Beloit. My daughter started at IWU then changed majors and graduates from Beloit this May ?. Pm me if you wish.

7

Lawrence University in Wisconsin

8

Earlham, Denison, Knox, Lawrence, Beloit, Union, Dickinson, Gettysburg. All worth a look.

9

Grinnell
Dickinson
Conn College
Your D would likely get nice merit at these, though not sure it would get your cost down to 30k. But worth a look

10

Yes, that would apply to many schools mentioned on this list. Many give $10K, $20K but it sounds like OP is looking for more than that.

@Teachme21 What state do you reside in?

11

Try Union College in NY. I think she’d be welcomed there.

12

Ohio. Miami will likely be her safety school, but she really wants to be at a school with less than 4,000 students. Others have suggested Wooster and Centre.

13

I don’t have enough posts to pm, but as soon as I do I will reach out about Beloit. Thanks

14

Does she have certain areas of study she is leaning towards? Does she prefer a more moderate, preppy campus atmosphere or something more progressive?

15

She is undecided on a major, but leaning toward the social sciences… Her current plan is to attend law school. She would prefer a more moderate atmosphere.

16

@Teachme21. I will pm you later since going to work now. I think you can respond once I do that. Short story an amazing diamond in the rough. As a junior transfer my daughter got a $30,000 merit. Which was $12,000 more then IWU.

17

Second St. Olaf. Great school and good merit. I also have a friend whose D got a great package at Luther College in Iowa which brought it into line with in-state MN schools. Lower stats but was strong/hooked? in band - they are into music there too.

18

I think max merit at Dickinson and Grinnell is $20k per year so they won’t make the OP’s cut off.

19

I think the maximum merit at St. Olaf is half of billed costs (tuition, fees, room & board), which is $61K this year. So it wouldn’t come in under $30K but could be close. And it’s a great school.

There are lower-ranked private colleges in MN and IA that would probably come in cheaper. Many are Catholic or Lutheran. Luther, Gustavus, St. Benedict, St. Catherine, Loras, Concordia in Moorhead, etc.

20

Rhodes College is very generous with merit scholarships. It would likely meet OP’s financial criteria and has great law school placement numbers.