Good colleges that don't break the bank?

College Search & Lists
1

<p>I live in Texas and am guaranteed admission to UT Austin (7%), but I would rather study outside of Texas. If anybody could name some schools that are affordable, due either to a reasonable out of state tuition or a readiness to give scholarships to 4.0+ students, are not in Texas, and have a great academic reputation, I’d be much obliged. I’ve thought about the UCs, but haven’t really found anywhere else. I understand that there probably aren’t many schools that fit that criteria, but maybe one of y’all know of a hidden gem. </p>

2

<p>What are your SAT or ACT scores?</p>

3

<p>I know that’s a crucial bit of info but I haven’t taken either yet. If you could name anu schools that offer scholarships to high heat scores that would be helpful</p>

4

<p>Alabama. You need to save your money if you are premed.</p>

5

<p>As a general rule, you can trade your high test scores for either high prestige or high merit, rarely both. High GPAs are a dime-a-dozen. Even if you are a National Merit Finalist and can get in some of the schools that offer a full ride to National Merit Finalists, you’ll be hard pressed to beat the deal and prestige you get being in-state to UT-Austin. There are no hidden gems.</p>

<p>Non-Texas schools that are close to or better than UT-Austin (#53) in the US News rankings where some merit is possible for high test scores:</p>

<p>Tulane (#54)
Ohio State (#54)
U of Miami (#48)
Case Western (#38)
U of Rochester (#33)
USC (#25)
Wash U (#14)</p>

<p>There are a few others, I’m aware of Boston U., but the awards are extremely rare, so they really aren’t worth mentioning.</p>

6

<p>UCs are 55k a year for OOS and it is fairly rare to get any money from them. You can get some need aid, and infrequently there are Regents scholarships given, which isn’t for much. Basically you are looking at the OOS supplement of 23k per year + your EFC + self help, so you may very likely be full pay as most OOS students are.</p>

7

<p>I agree with Brown Parent^^^^. The UC’s are good but they are not affordable for OOS students.</p>

8

<p>If you have high financial need, many of the top schools in the country will work hard to make the school affordable. it’s the rare middle class student who finds that his state school costs less than Harvard does. </p>

9

<p>Have a look at the Kiplinger’s rankings, which show average merit grants and the percentage of students who get them for 100 private universities and 100 private LACs.
<a href=“http://www.kiplinger.com/tool/college/T014-S001-kiplinger-s-best-values-in-private-colleges/index.php”>http://www.kiplinger.com/tool/college/T014-S001-kiplinger-s-best-values-in-private-colleges/index.php&lt;/a&gt;
<a href=“http://www.kiplinger.com/tool/college/T014-S001-kiplinger-s-best-values-in-private-colleges/index.php?table=lib_arts&state_code[]=ALL&id[]=none”>http://www.kiplinger.com/tool/college/T014-S001-kiplinger-s-best-values-in-private-colleges/index.php?table=lib_arts&state_code[]=ALL&id[]=none&lt;/a&gt;
I think it’s fairly unlikely that the 7 schools listed in post #4 (Tulane etc) will give you enough merit aid to make them cost-competitive with UT at in-state rates. </p>

<p>If your family’s annual income is less than about $110K, it’s possible that some of the USNWR top ~40 schools (in both the National University and National LAC rankings) will offer enough need-based aid to be competitive with UT’s in-state rates. To compare costs after aid, run the online net price calculators for any schools that interest you.</p>

10

<p>It’s already DECEMBER of your senior year; u haven’t taken either the SAT or ACT; and you’re wanting to go to college OOS cheap?</p>

<p>If u want to pursue the University of Alabama, u have 2 weeks before that fairy godmother opportunity turns into a pumpkin.</p>

11

<p>OP is a freshman.</p>

12

<p>If OP is a freshman, then how does he know he’s guaranteed admission to UT already?</p>

13

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<p>Ok, you have no financial need, but you’re looking for value…and you’re premed…</p>

<p><<<<
I’ve thought about the UCs,</p>

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<p>???</p>

<p>This makes NO SENSE at all.  </p>

<p>UC’s will cost you over $50k per year.   
and no OOS student should consider UCs for premed.</p>

<p>Wait…are you a freshman? If so, then how do you know that you’d get into UT?</p>