<p>17 yo daughter is avg to just-above average. Wants to go our of state, from Mass., but not too far out of state. Thinks she is interested in"Media Production", but I want to send her to a school with a strong liberal arts curriculum as well. And of course like everyone else, I would like to find that gem of a school that can be had for $20K or less per year.</p>
<p>We are coming up with her list of 6-7 schools as we speak, and using all of what I think are the right tools - US News, Kiplinger, Princeton, StudentReviews, **************, etc. But I do not think I can afford to leave (re)source untapped, and so would enjoy very much hearing about any underrated schools that might have good value for the money in "media production", or other resources you know of. </p>
<p>"Media Production" also be called "communication" in some schools, journalism, in others, or Video / Film in other schools...</p>
<p>Have you tried the MatchMaker on Collegeboard? It’s decent…makes a few mistakes as with any other thing like that, but it does a pretty good job.</p>
<p>Emerson College would be PERFECT for her. It’s above 20k but it’s not ridiculously expensive. Unfortunately their financial aid isn’t the best, but it sounds like the perfect school for her.</p>
<p>Check out the thread entitled,“Brag about your “lesser known” school!” on Parents’ Forum. But I hope you can be flexible about the out-of-state costs; an under-$20,000 school is a rare bird.</p>
<p>Here are the colleges that we are working - and re-working - I woud enjoyhearing your feedback:</p>
<p>Quinnipiac University
Arizona State University
Emerson College
Syracuse University
SUNY Plattsburgh
SUNY-Oneonta
Florida State University
University of Michigan
Miami University of Ohio
Ohio University
University of Connecticut
University of MissouriColumbia</p>
<p>Both SUNY Plattsburgh and Oneonta have “media production” programs - but I am completely in the dark about how these two different campuses (and programs?) compare…</p>
<p>So I think we have a mix of more slective to selctive schools.</p>
<p>I would say we are int every early stages of looking at what their media production programs are all about.</p>
<p>And thanks to all for your very quick responses!!
Much apppreciated.</p>
<p>Personally I think Plattsbugh is a better school than Oneonta. If you aren’t even from NY state I’m not sure I’d look at either one (well, except maybe Plattsburgh - maybe I can see that).</p>
<p>Bluelaser: there is a BIG difference between a communications and media production. The former is more academic, the latter is vocational.</p>
<p>USC probably has the best mix of both, but probably too far away from home for you. Penn is similar, except more on the academic side. Penn is a ivy, so admission there are the usual insanity. Michigan is good, it is already on your list, depending on what you mean that your daughter is an average student, it may or may not be a reach. Syracuse, as far as I can tell, is more academically oriented, city is also not exactly a hotbed of media activity. Penn State is supposed to have a good COMS program that is vocational. Emerson is supposedly snooty, don’t have direct experience, this is just what people on studentsreview say, so take it with a rock of salt. Upside is the location, downside is location (complete lack of a campus). NYU is a natural for media production, but the price tag is outside what you describe, and they do not promise to meet 100% of demonstrated need.</p>
<p>You might want to consider the following. When you ask around, many people consider COMS to be a “fluff major”, full of “sororstitutes who want to be the next Amanda on Sex and the City” (these are quotes, don’t flame me). Given that media production is a vocation, not an education, you may want to just look for a good liberal arts school near a major media center (for you Boston, NY, Philly, possibly DC), where your D can intern actively and get the vocational training that way, while also getting a general education in the process.</p>
<p>Finally, I think that MatchMaker on CB is pretty rudimentary, I have found the results from Princeton Review quite more relevant: </p>
<p>I found that book quite pretentious, full of grand statements but very little substantive information and facts to back up the claims. I fully agree that almost any school is capable of providing a better education than the ivies, which are famous for the research they produce, not for the education they provide.</p>
<p>Groovygeek . . . sorry about previous post - bad fingers this am and not proofing!!! I’m guessing there is a world of difference between a groovygeek (sounds like my son) and a groovygreek (which he is hoping to avoid!)</p>
<p>Lyndon State College in Vermont has a major called Television Studies. I don’t know much about it - only aware of it because the daughter of a friend was interested.</p>
<p>Out of state tuition, room, board and fees is listed as $24,093 but the major may qualify you for the NEBHE Good Neighbor Program which would bring the total down to $19,437. Their website also says that 80% of students receive some form of financial aid.</p>
<p>Additional link from the college’s website does list Massachusetts as a state that would qualify for the Good Neighbor Program for the Television Studies major</p>
<p>I’ll cast a vote for SUNY Plattsburgh for an all-around fine Liberal Arts education. They also have tutition discount programs for non-residents.</p>
<p>If she is open to long distance travel, consider;</p>
<p>Washington State University; Edward R. Murrow School of Communications, as well as a Honors College with a great reputation. Pullman WA is in the middle of nowhere but the weather is and recreational opporunities are good.</p>
<p>Here are a few more [affordable] colleges that I believe are under-appreciated but nevertheless have fine academics, including the Communications and/or Journalism major;</p>
<p>U of Alabama-Birmingham
U of Tulsa
Ohio Wesleyan University
Westminster College ¶
Loyola University of Chicago</p>