<p>safety schools have to be 1) schools you’re almost guaranteed to get into; 2) schools you’re almost certain to be able to afford because you’ve run the net price calculators or they’ve offered you a full ride or you’re independently wealthy; 3) schools that you’ve visited and are sure you would attend if every other school turns you down; and 4) schools that don’t announce on the common data set that they consider highly “applicant interest.” So generally your state colleges make good places to begin looking for safeties because they have in-state and somewhat cheaper tuition, they’re nearby so easier to visit, and they want to admit in-state students because that’s what they’re chartered to do.</p>