Looking for colleges to study math [TX resident, not top 10%, NMSF, 1480 SAT, <$60k, currently in 11th grade with calculus BC]

So - first off - congrats on NMSF.

So Tulsa is a full ride - this is a school where kids that don’t get into Rice go. Over a quarter of their students on NMSF or higher, so that’s a first to look at. Take a look at curriculum. Not qualifying for aid - saving $350K+ at some schools mentioned - the math works.

Similalrly, if he gets NMF, an Alabama, Houston, UTD, and and more will be free or close too. Bama, for example, is five years free tuition and four years housing - plus a stipend - which will cover food. So that’s your undergrad and grad - and I assure you, he won’t run out of math classes.

Otherwise, you need a budget.

You say this: We won’t qualify for need based aid but also need to consider where he could get merit scholarships if it’s a high priced school.

So your budget is $60K - and that eliminates many.

Even if not NMF, he can go to a Bama for $20K - or you can try LACs like a Trinity, etc. but the issue becomes, do they have enough math classes?

You could try a Rice, Vandy, WUSTL although the SAT is low. And their tuition is over your desires but they have some merit.

If it were me, you have great schools in state and you have large flagships that will be under $60K full pay - some like Bama and Ms State under $20K.

That he likes urban though will eliminate many - including Purdue.

But schools that meet cost full price or near assured merit will include the Texas schools, UMN (cold - he’ll be $40Kish), Purdue as you saw, UF, FSU, Delaware, Miami Ohio, U of SC (top Honors college and urban), ASU, depending on GPA U of A, U of Kansas (sub 30K, top Honors), UGA, and really so so many more.

Mid size - U Denver, maybe Miami (Florida) as they give good merit. SMU too.

But I’d start with Tulsa…given it’s free at NMSF if it’s curriculum and overall fit work for you.

Best of luck.

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