Can someone list what they consider average schools?
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When I think of average schools, here are some that come to mind.
Some average state schools:
SUNY Fredonia
Illinois State University
Salem State University
Wisconsin Whitewater
UNC Greensboro
University of Mississippi
Texas State University
Western Michigan University
Basically any state school that is fairly easy to get into as an (in-state) applicant that also provides a decent education.
Average private schools:
Seattle Pacific University
Marietta College
Niagara University
Wittenburg University
University of Lynchburg
Ohio Wesleyan
Baker University
Again, fairly easy admission to schools which provide decent education.
All the schools listed above get a B rating (or above) on Niche and accept at least 70% of their applicants (many accepting a far higher rate). I think it is often forgotten on CC that most college applicants get accepted to the schools they apply to, which is also how I decided to interpret “average” school.
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I agree with you. We were really impressed with Trinity when my son applied this past year. I think it would have been a top contender for him except he really wanted to get out of TX.
Is it the Niche rating that makes them average, or the acceptance rate?
If a school games the system to garner more applicants than they can accomodate does that make them “above average?”
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For broad-access admissions, this is probably true for most state flagships (some states may effectively have more than one) in the west (other than CA and WA), as well as some state flagships in other parts of the country. Some of them may also have good affordability to much of the state population for geographic reasons (e.g. AZ and HI).
Would say both Niche rating and acceptance rate makes those schools average, along with their online rankings (many in high 200 - 600 range in terms of rankings via Niche). Their standardized test scores also ranged (generally) from about 950-1200 which seems to again allow for many “average” students, in terms of their standardized scores. I think the average SAT score is usually right around 1050 or so.
If a school games a system to garner more applicants (and therefor lowering their acceptance rate), they do have the potential to become “above average” in terms of selectivity. Whether that then translates into “above average” in any other way is in the eyes of the applicants and incoming students.
not average but definitely underrated <3
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I would add Santa Clara (happy kiddos) and Chapman. My S almost went to SCU and I was sold after the tour. Some very accomplished kids from his class are going to Chapman. We also discovered Seattle University on my S’ search. Seattle U has been getting some nice donations (like from the Costco founder) and has a new head of school. It has great job placement for computer science and my son received a lot of merit aid there. My son did not like the very urban location, but otherwise was seriously considering it. There is staff poaching, but also in these tech areas, I suspect that they get part-time or guest teachers in the industry.
UCSC is my favorite UC campus. As the mid-tiers get harder to get into, this is a gem IMHO if you can pay a premium for housing in the area.
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Eckerd feels like the one that got away for my S20. He applied but got in ED somewhere else. We never visited, but may look at it for his younger brother.
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Is Eckerd College financially sound ?
Yes. They have expanded programs, remodeled dorms, labs and classrooms, enrollment exceeds projections. Full time professors, over 97% have terminal degrees in their field. No cutbacks. New BFA program with Circle in the Square, Animal Studies, Peace Corps Prep, articulation agreements with UF/Law, Stetson/Law. Increased first yr. research fellowships, diversity scholarship, and newly funded study abroad scholarships. Exceeded fundraising goals in all recent capital campaign projects and parent fund campaigns. Newly named Executive Director of inclusive excellence. New president joined the board of American College on Education. Plans include increasing endowment.
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Favorite average schools might include:
Eckerd College, Rollins College, & Flagler College. (In my case, if young enough to redo my undergraduate years, I would attend with the intention of transferring after one or two years as I would like to experience a different location & a larger school.)
College of Charleston & University of Vermont would also be interesting due to location.
The University of Texas at Austin is another non-top 40 school which is a favorite,but not average. FSU (Florida State University) is another as is SMU (Southern Methodist University).
Any SEC or PAC 12 school due to large campus environment & DI athletics.
Any school with easy access to the Pacific Ocean.
In short, if considering average schools,location becomes a very important consideration.
In my case, since I always knew that law school was in my future, undergraduate school was not as important as it would be for one not intending to go to law school.
Pennsylvania has a really nice set of state schools (beyond Penn State) that are affordable. Lots of really nice setting. Great teaching programs, health professions, music.
Avg Pennsylvania schools include:
Bloomsburg, Kutztown, Slippery Rock, Indiana; Westminster, Lycoming, Wilkes, Immaculata, Chestnut Hill, De Sales, Alvernia, Albright to name a few.
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I have a niece at VCU and she has loved it. She’s hard working in school and at a job. Prefers the highly diverse student body to the very white composition at UVA, William & Mary, JMU etc. She also needed in state tuition and has received excellent value. Has loved her time there. Psych major. Richmond is loved by residents old and new…it’s an exciting small city.
While my niece is not an artist, I’ll speak for their sculpture dept which is considered top in the country; fine art school second only to RISD.
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My S attends RIT. Its ranked over 100, but their coop program is fabulous and for those with kids on the Spectrum they have a program. Great for arts, and comp sci/ computer security, and engineering. They have packaging design programs as well.
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Ohio University in Athens Ohio.
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I know several RIT alumni and current students. Great school.
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