2023 Best Value Colleges in America

• Pasadena, CA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.95 out of 5  129 reviews

Freshman: Great school, amazing opportunities provided by all the faculty. Beautiful campus perfect for anyone around :)... Read 129 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 7%

• Net price $26,591

• SAT range 1530-1580

• Claremont, CA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.76 out of 5  143 reviews

Alum: My relationship with Harvey Mudd is quite messy and convoluted. No single experience will suffice to describe in its entirety; however, hopefully there is something helpful to you in my description! Let's begin. One thing I will say, Harvey Mudd is very difficult. I assume you already know this if you are looking into it, but I want to stress that you will most definitely be challenged. There are many classes to get through, and they are very rigorous. There were a lot sleepless nights, several of which spent in the engineering basement. The constant flow of problem sets, quizzes, midterms and projects will keep you busy to say the least! That being said, there is a wonderful support system at Mudd. Being in graduate school now, I really miss the accessibility to professors and student tutors. Mudd does a really amazing job of fostering collaboration with fellow peers and you guys will grow very close from all the shared struggle. I miss spending every night with them studying!... Read 143 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 18%

• Net price $37,192

• SAT range 1490-1570

• Claremont, CA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.94 out of 5  423 reviews

Sophomore: Claremont Mckenna College is an amazing academic institution. Every student here is so passionate and loves to learn. Claremont has an incredible, close knit-community that is incredibly supportive. My professors all are so kind and involved. I love CMC! Sko nas!... Read 423 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 13%

• Net price $22,004

• SAT range 1330-1500

• Claremont, CA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 4.22 out of 5  416 reviews

Alum: Pomona College was a very transformative space for me. The small class sizes and strong sense of community among professors and students really helped me thrive. I was surrounded by intellectually curious peers and inspiring professors during my four years. Beyond academics, there were an abundance of research and work opportunities to help explore my passions and potential career interests that I would not have been able to do in a larger school. I was able to pursue athletics at the collegiate level, work as a teaching research assistant, and organize community events— the opportunities were endless if you really searched for them. I also cannot forget how beautiful the campus was and how amazing the dining hall food was! Beyond the Pomona College community, you also have access to a consortium of four more top undergraduate colleges (Claremont McKenna, Scripps, Harvey Mudd, and Pitzer) where you can take classes at and connect with a whole new network of students and professors.... Read 416 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 9%

• Net price $30,392

• SAT range 1390-1540

• Amherst, MA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.84 out of 5  314 reviews

Sophomore: Incredible school. You can tell that Amherst invests and prioritizes its academic experience above all. Admittedly, this may come at the price of other "bells and whistles"-- its not flashy, so do not expect a great dining experience, wide merchandise selection, or hype around sports... but your academic career will be worth it! Great professors, small class sizes, diverse student body, and incredible support.... Read 314 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 12%

• Net price $18,832

• SAT range 1430-1560

• Williamstown, MA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.84 out of 5  307 reviews

Alum: TL;DR: Williams is one of the best schools out there, especially for economically underprivileged and/or international students. Apply even if you think you won’t get in! Financials: I am a recent alumnus from a foreign country who had to pay less than 3K per year(!) towards my education at Williams; the rest was covered by non-repayable Williams grants. The College also pays for your medical insurance, ALL book expenditures, yearly round-trip to your home country (with all expenses). Other one-off expenses they covered: getting a visa, passport renewal, dental expenditures (over $10K). For someone who comes from a poor family whose total earnings are less than $30K/year, all this was an enormous benefit! Academics: Williams is very strong because its professors take time to teach you the material. 1-1 teaching sessions, research work with professors is easily attainable because professors care about their students. Exit opportunities: plentiful, prosperous, and very accessible!... Read 307 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 15%

• Net price $22,356

• SAT range 1410-1550

• Lexington, VA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.99 out of 5  456 reviews

Freshman: I was nervous about going to W&L after hearing so many controversial things. However, I absolutely love my college! There is such a wide range of people, opinions, and opportunities that I truly believe that there is a place for everyone here. Furthermore, the university is working really hard to become more inclusive and diverse. I feel cared about and listened to at W&L.... Read 456 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 25%

• Net price $27,148

• SAT range 1350-1500

• Swarthmore, PA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.61 out of 5  423 reviews

Alum: Life changing. Not only because of the quality of professors and the teacher to student ratio, but because the student body is so extraordinary. Living with and around people who are major achievers rubs off on you. Being there raised my standards 1000% because that is what I had to do just to keep up. And that habit stayed with me for the rest of my life. It produced a wonderful, successful life and work experience. Proud to be a Swattie!... Read 423 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 9%

• Net price $20,360

• SAT range 1390-1540

• Wellesley, MA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.76 out of 5  614 reviews

Senior: Pretty good! Great environment for learning and fostering a well-rounded perspective on the world. Faculty and your peers will have the greatest influence on your experience, so if you choose well, you will definitely be satisfied.... Read 614 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 20%

• Net price $21,614

• SAT range 1350-1520

• Clinton, NY•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.7 out of 5  477 reviews

Freshman: It's an amazing campus with beautiful and kind professors, students, staff, etc. Everyone is willing to help you and no one leaves you hanging. I'd really recommend checking out this college to see if it's for you!... Read 477 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 18%

• Net price $23,936

• SAT range 1380-1510

• Vallejo, CA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.08 out of 5  157 reviews

Freshman: Cal Maritime University overall is an alright university, it provides us students with the interesting and unique degrees and teachings. This university specializes in teaching Maritime arts, and professionalism. As a current freshman I thought that it was going to be more militarist and strict, but it is quit lenity. overall, I think that it is beneficial academy and prepares us for our next steps into the world and helps build needed connections throughout the industry for our major. the campus is nice, and the community is inclusive within the small number of candidates that attend. even though there are a handful of people at this university the connections we are able to make here are extremely beneficial within the maritime community.... Read 157 reviews

• grade B

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 82%

• Net price $21,069

• SAT range 960-1190

• Terre Haute, IN•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.97 out of 5  415 reviews

Junior: Love Rose-Hulman! If you're looking for a party school, this certainly isn't it. If you want somewhere you can get a great education from professors that care, then look no further. One of my math professors took the time to build our graphs in Minecraft so that we'd have a visual representation of what we were studying. He was so passionate about teaching that he went home at night and worked on that. All of the professors at Rose are very dedicated to helping students learn in and out of the classroom. Even with everything that's going on due to COVID, Rose is taking individual needs into consideration and is creating a much better environment that most the schools my friends go to. It's a great place to learn and a fun place to be in general. If you're going to attend Rose, definitely recommend living on campus. The on-campus atmosphere is like no other and you'll make more lifetime friends than you even thought possible.... Read 415 reviews

• grade A

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 77%

• Net price $43,606

• SAT range 1260-1460

• Brunswick, ME•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 4.11 out of 5  718 reviews

Freshman: Choosing Bowdoin was the best decision of my life! They truly value the liberal arts model AND have great STEM programs. care deeply about the student experience. I would recommend it to absolutely any and every student who is looking for a school with incredible academics and amazing peers. The student body is incredibly intelligent and passionate, yet never competitive. Students are also really friendly and there is a true sense of community on campus: when something is wrong, students look after and take care of each other. Bowdoin works very hard to foster both personal and academic growth in its students—one of Bowdoin's most admirable and impactful qualities. I found the classes to be extremely enjoyable. Professors put tons of effort into teaching their classes and make it clear that they really care about you. Academics are challenging yet extremely rewarding. Yes, the food and dorms are actually as great as everyone says they are. Also financial aid is astonishingly generous.... Read 718 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 9%

• Net price $25,622

• SAT range 1360-1510

• Easton, PA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.63 out of 5  651 reviews

Junior: I am forever glad that I chose Lafayette! It is a wonderful school for so many different reasons. The class sizes are small, which facilitates good relationships with my peers and professors. Classes are rigorous but manageable, and I feel like I have grown so much academically here. There are also so many ways to get involved; there's something for everyone! The student body is quite friendly and I have definitely found my people here. Lafayette College is a great place to spend your undergrad years!... Read 651 reviews

• grade A

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 36%

• Net price $28,735

• SAT range 1250-1440

• Buzzards Bay, MA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3 out of 5  180 reviews

Alum: Despite its limited degree options, Mass. Maritime excels in providing in depth courses and training to future industry leaders. The teachers care very much for student progress and due to our vast alumni network, will most likely set you up with an employer from your field of study. I had a great experience at Mass. Maritime, if you put in the work and stay open minded to everything this school has to offer then you have the chance of doing very well. Most who hate on the school do so because they wasted their 4 years complaining or getting in trouble instead of applying themselves. This school is a great place to flush out the leaders from the followers.... Read 180 reviews

• grade B minus

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 92%

• Net price $17,635

• SAT range 1030-1180

• Rockville Centre, NY•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.91 out of 5  650 reviews

Sophomore: As a transfer student, the transition has been smooth with the help of advisors. It was more cost effective to attend a university within my home state and still have my independence as it changed from a commuter school to now being able to dorm on campus. Great programs to choose from, smaller class sizes, which helps you to have more interaction with your professors so you’re known by name. Campus life can give you the opportunity to participate in different activities/clubs and having a well known theatre on campus exposes you to performances from your peers as well as nationally known artists. Overall, Molloy University is very supportive and passionate about their students success!... Read 650 reviews

• grade B+

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 74%

• Net price $27,454

• SAT range 1080-1250

• Socorro, NM•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.55 out of 5  546 reviews

Alum: Very, very challenging at times but take pride in knowing everyone else is in the trenches with you. Best engineering programs in the state, hands down. Classmates range like everywhere else, but I made very strong and lasting relationships! The town and campus are very small, but safe and allow for many outdoor activities; decent weather all year. The biggest selling point is the reputation, almost guaranteed internship while in school, even one on campus allowed me to work out of state and on patent pending technologies. Most important, I passed my FE, became EIT and secured a job in San Diego within a month of leaving, DEBT FREE!... Read 546 reviews

• grade A minus

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 97%

• Net price $14,834

• SAT range 1150-1370

• Middlebury, VT•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.8 out of 5  514 reviews

Freshman: Middlebury is an interesting school for sure. On the one hand, the experience so far has been extremely eye-opening. Courses can be hard to get into, just seating wise, but sometimes the classes you panic register for turn out to be your favorite. The professors are knowledgeable. Administration can be kinda top-down organizationy, especially in infrastructure decision making. There are niches for so many different interests at the school, so it feels less like everyone is smarter than you and more than everyone has really cool interests that are different than yours.... Read 514 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 22%

• Net price $24,517

• SAT range 1340-1520

• New York, NY•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.86 out of 5  458 reviews

Alum: I graduated from Barnard over 25 years ago. To this day, I am empowered and inspired by the education I received from Barnard and the friendships I made. The classes were excellent, my classmates were inspiring and diverse and I am continuously impressed with their accomplishments - Pulitzer Prize winners, Emmy winners, authors, rock stars, business leaders, entrepreneurs, professors, doctors, lawyers - it was really special. I loved being able to take advantage of the classes, dorms and dining halls of Columbia, and developed close friendships amongst the entire community. Going to school in NYC was AWESOME! For those who think of it as simply a women’s college, I would say say that is way too narrow. It inspires and emboldens women in a way that is unique, and anyway you are among guys all the time - in class, in dorms, on campus, in the dining halls, socializing…you are not at all isolated. I can’t recommend Barnard highly enough!... Read 458 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 14%

• Net price $30,572

• SAT range 1350-1520

• Haverford, PA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.92 out of 5  259 reviews

Freshman: Haverford is a great place! This is very cliche but the community is amazing, the professors are supportive and very knowledgable, and the atmosphere is welcoming! I chose Haverford because of the unique Honor Code and the Quaker Consortium. At Haverford, the students have a lot of trust (we have take home exams, self-proctored finals, and we can even change the rules of the school). The Quaker Consortium allows Haverford students to take classes at Bryn Mawr, Swarthmore, and the University of Pennsylvania! There are endless opportunities and I've made great memories. The only complaint I have is the social scene and things to do around campus are limited. Otherwise, the atmosphere is amazing and you will receive a great education here!... Read 259 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 18%

• Net price $25,215

• SAT range 1360-1520

• Worcester, MA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.75 out of 5  562 reviews

Alum: Extremely competitive school from day 1. But - that fosters personal growth! Loved how many service-oriented opportunities there were. This was clearly a strong emphasis in the school's Jesuit identity. When HC says that faculty are there to help, it is not just an empty, overly-stated phrase. As an alum, I still reach out to faculty for advice on the job market and graduate school admissions. Truly thankful that HC has invested so much in recruiting and retaining world-class professors.... Read 562 reviews

• grade A

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 38%

• Net price $32,061

• SAT range 1290-1430

• Butte, MT•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.61 out of 5  494 reviews

Junior: I love Tech! It is incredibly easy to get in touch with professors and receive extra help through the ACE Tutoring Center (Which is included with tuition). You can recieve one-on-one tutoring from a student that has already taken the class, as well as participate in group study sessions for more universally difficult classes, such as calculus. I also found it easy to get involved through the many events that Tech offers throughout the year. While it's a small university, there are still many clubs and groups to join as well. Finding a job on campus is simple, and the career center is a huge help for reviewing resumes and getting ready for an interview or career fair.... Read 494 reviews

• grade B+

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 97%

• Net price $14,618

• SAT range 1110-1280

• Castine, ME•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.15 out of 5  169 reviews

Senior: Maine Maritime is a school unlike any other, even amongst the other maritime schools. Located in rural Maine with a population of only 4,000, students develop a close-knit sense of community. The comradery amongst the population is also largely due to those characteristics. Maine Maritime Academy itself is located on the Castine Peninsula in Maine, overlooking the Penobscot Bay Area. With the nearest metropolitan area an hour away, students rely on interaction with their peers and the population of Castine. The result of which being a symbiotic relationship between local businesses and the energetic students. Furthermore, with the minute student body, residents quickly establish relationships within the multitude of teams and clubs found on campus. Moreover, they are able to share their experiences between organizations allowing the class as a whole to benefit. Through this comradery, alumni fulfil the school's mission to establish future leaders of industry.... Read 169 reviews

• grade B+

• grade A

• Acceptance rate 52%

• Net price $18,739

• SAT range 1000-1160

• Columbus, OH•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.53 out of 5  119 reviews

Senior: AMAZING clinical experiences and opportunities! Professors at the Lancaster campus are driven and care immensely about student education.... Read 119 reviews

• grade B minus

• grade A

• Acceptance rate 81%

• Net price $14,454

• SAT range —

• Richardson, TX•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.9 out of 5  112 reviews

Sophomore: Attending west coast university has been phenomenal. I enjoy my courses, and all my professors are so helpful. West Coast has been fabulous! Since the beginning process of getting me enrolled, everyone has been so kind with open arms. The campus is lovely; it has a cafe, multiple study areas, and resources to assist you.... Read 112 reviews

• grade A

• grade A

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $15,468

• SAT range —