My son had a blip in high school ( depression). He got thru it but his grades suffered. He’s retaken quite a few classes & has all A’s as a senior now. A year ago he couldn’t have cared less about college ( or anything) but now…. He’s worried. During his tough spot, he had forgotten he signed up for the SAT & took it a week later. No time for prep. He did ok enough he says (1220). He’s applied early action to a few. He’s a gifted kid. Very good ECs, very good recommendations. A few leadership roles in school (theatre) and community (police explorers) Will receive an honors tassel for community service. Prob a 3.0 GPA as of now but this years A’s will bump it up. He’s looking for a small LAC. History/Environmental Science. He’s outdoorsy. Doesn’t mind small towns. Ok with cold weather. He detests Fraternities and isn’t looking for a party school. Just wants a good fit. Mainly looking in Mid-Atlantic, Midwest, north East. Trying not to add more travel costs. Money is an issue. Like many families, We’re in that spot where we make enough to not qualify for aid but don’t have $ left over at the end of the month. He’s applied to Cornell College ( just got accepted with Deans scholarship $28,000), St Mary’s of MD, Allegheny, Juniata, Susquehanna & York. Applying soon to Northland and maybe even College of the Atlantic. We considered a few others but he’s put off when he sees “ best Greek life school” or “ jock life is huge” in reviews. Might look into more though.
Anyone have any suggestions for a small, relaxed LAC that we could afford. Truly, even $20,000 net seems huge but it’s hard to find lower tuitions. 
Your list seems fine especially because of the offer already.
My question would be what kind of need based aid will you qualify for. Given his #s you likely won’t pull a full tuition offer.
Is your state Maryland? I ask bcuz you have St Mary’s. Cornell would then be big travel. Northland in Wisconsin ? Guess confused on travel cost comment but you have a wide geographical spread.
Wooster comes to mind but need more info like your EFC and where you live.
Seems like you’re off to a great start tho.
I don’t think we qualify for any aid because we make around 100 k. However…… we live in DC Metro area of Md. Cost of living is some of the highest on the nation.
It would be travel cost for sure but trying to weigh that with fit of schools if we have to. That was one of the far flung ones. Haha though Northland is practically Canada. Luckily, our area is a hub for flights & trains. Some places are easier that others but places like California, Oregon, etc are def out!
You don’t know that you don’t qualify for need based aid until you run a net price calculator for a school. A fafsa will show your EFC. So you are a MD resident. Got it.
In addition to Wooster, you might look at W Carolina, SUNY ESF (May be stretch). Frostburg is probably too big a party school. E Tenn State but too large perhaps.
Good luck.
Maybe Warren Wilson and/or UNC Asheville? Gorgeous area for outdoorsy students (and it gets colder than many people realize), and he might like the vibe of one or both.
Check out Allegheny. We were very impressed and it ended up being #2 for D. Very strong in ES. Great merit.
Whoops! Nm- didn’t see it the first time I read your list.
Is Cornell affordable with the $28K scholarship (still leaves a net cost of $30K+)? The rest of your list makes sense, and I second Asheville and Warren Wilson and many of the other suggestions so far. Consider Roanoke.
With a family income of $100K, you will qualify for some need based financial aid at many schools. Run the net price calculators at each school to get an estimated cost.
What state are you in?
You can qualify for aid at many schools with that income, but the real question is can you afford the bottom line? That’s what the net price calculators help you figure out before applying.
As far as greek/jock life, our strategy has been to avoid small schools with big Greek life, but not worry about it at the big ones, because it has less of an individual impact and there are more opportunities to find your people.
How much of a factor was COVID in his depression? Colleges are seeing a lot of that in applications, believe me. Can the GC explain?
I always suggest looking at the website for Colleges that Change Lives for ideas. Also check out Berea (no tuition, work program).
You may get more aid than you think at some schools with income of $100k, as others have said.
Are you avoiding public options?
Feels like Roanoke fits all of his requirements and may work out for yours.
Very little. It started before and he had bottomed out before Covid really got going. He actually went to a 3 month therapeutic wilderness program during. I was actually thankful for online school when he came back. It sort of eased him back in.
It’s doubtful but he’s applying for outside scholarships too. There’s really not much we can afford but he has to apply . He’s pretty rational & knows it’s going to come down to money. With my oldest, I actually negotiated between her 2 top choices.
I have that book! We even looked at Berea but they said we don’t qualify. ( even admission is income dependent.
I think I need to follow up. We’re not looking at all into the south east. We’re from the south (pre civil war!) but live in MD now. He just doesn’t want to go back. Looking for something “new”.
I have an older daughter that’s a senior in college so not my first rodeo with the college stuff. Haha It’s just that he’s so very different than her and looking in a different direction. She’s at a women’s college with some amazing scholarship money!!!
I def do all of the FA calculators but was really just wondering if anyone knows any other hidden gem schools that we’re overlooking. 
Washington College in Chestertown, MD may be close by you; have you looked at it?
If you are considering the Midwest, you may wish to consider Albion College (Albion, MI). It has traditionally had good science programs, and has done a lot recently to bring down net costs; according to College Board, “Albion College costs $18,532 after scholarships and grants, with 83% of students receiving financial aid and an average aid package of $52,068.”
I might be mistaken - but I believe they might have referred to a different “Cornell” (Cornell COLLEGE elsewhere in the country), not the Cornell University.
(Same problem as sometimes arises when people speak of “Columbia College” vs. all the unrelated colleges of the same name throughout the country.)
I was referencing Cornell college costs of $60k per year
https://www.cornellcollege.edu/financial-assistance/cost-of-attendance.shtml
In addition to Wooster, I’d say Knox, Beloit, and Kalamazoo. Since he applied to Cornell I guess everything all the way to Iowa in in play.
There are lots of kids from the DC area that go to Wooster, so he may be able to reduce travel expenses by coordinating rides, etc. I have to imagine that’s less the case as you get into IL, MI, IA, and WI.
Maybe Bard College?