^
Allegheny was my first thought as well, especially for the sciences.
Warren Wilson and UNC Asheville are worth a look as safeties or safe matches. WWC is much smaller than UNCA and most other LACs, but otherwise they have much in common. The academic offerings are solid (most notably creative writing and environmental studies), and UNCA has a fairly rigorous core curriculum.
Asheville is a great city for young people - an energetic, trendy place with easy access to outdoors activities.