Hi guys,
I just found this forum and it seems like a great place to share and learn. I am an incoming senior and am looking for colleges to apply to. I want to do a business/economic/finance sort of degree in college. I live in California. I have a 4.5ish weighted and 3.9 unweighted with a 35 ACT. I would like to know what schools have a great program for the field i mentioned above. I know UCs are good in California, but what other schools would you all recommend I research?
thanks for your time
Consider Claremont McKenna if you want to get involved in economics or finance.
For economics, colleges that place highly in these analyses, especially within the top six or so, would be excellent schools to research further: “Economics Departments at Liberal Arts Colleges” and “US Economics Departments” (IDEAS). Note, however, that while these schools will offer a wide range of courses in economics and finance, not all of them offer degrees in business.
Well, what would be a good safety school in the west coast that offers a good degree in this field? My dream schools are UC Berkeley, Stanford, and Pomona College, but outside of that, I’m kind of iffy at best in my knowledge of other schools
Santa Clara. U of Washington.
@abiganate : You can go deeper into the analyses provided. With your academic level, some schools even within the top 20 on either list may comfortably serve as safeties for you.
wow! Uc berkeley at #2 in economics! It is so highly ranked in almost every field
USC
Pepperdine would be a nice safety for you with a known business program.
Can your family easily afford as much as $65K/year? If not, do you qualify for enough need-based financial aid that your family can cover the balance (the “Expected Family Contribution”)? Have you run the online Net Price Calculators for schools that interest you (including high-priced schools like Pomona)?
You’re probably looking at a graduate program ranking.
Berkeley certainly represents a good balance of excellent academics and a relatively low sticker price for CA residents. However, if your family income is below ~$150K/year (maybe even a bit more) you might get an even lower net cost, and undergraduate academic programs at least as good, at selective private schools such as:
University of Pennsylvania / Wharton School (or any of the 7 other Ivy League colleges)
MIT
Northwestern
Duke
UChicago
Washington University in St. Louis
Vanderbilt
http://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/paying-for-college/articles/2015/09/14/colleges-that-report-meeting-full-financial-need
Small liberal arts colleges such as Williams or Colgate may also be worth a look (although most of these schools, and some research universities, won’t have business majors).
For middle income California residents with good stats, schools in the University of California or California State system span a broad enough range of selectivity to include good, relatively affordable safety and “match” schools.