<p>I’d add a couple more in-state choices to your list. Remember your safeties need to be both financial and admissions safeties, or they are not really safeties. There is some state aid for college students that might only be available if you attend an in-state college. </p>
<p>Talk over with your parents about how much is really affordable. Penn State for instance provides little aid, and out of state tuition is in the same range as many full price private universities. Some colleges such as Penn State also charge more for the last 2 years of nursing school. </p>
<p>There are many less famous private universities with good direct entry inursing programs and that offer large amounts of merit aid. If you are eligible for their merit aid, they may be equal in price to an in-state public university. </p>
<p>It is OK to have a couple reach colleges, such as Boston College, as long as you are not relying too much upon them.</p>
<p>At many moderately selective universities, the nursing program is one of the hardest for admission. I would assume that is true for U. Mass and U. Conn for example, and I know it is true to Penn State and U Del. In other words, don’t rely upon average admission stats for the whole university to assume you will have no trouble getting admitted.</p>