Cool schools: the author of the best 345 colleges picks his top 20 underrated gems - The Princeton Review - Selecting A School

Careers and Colleges, Sept-Oct, 2003 by Robert Franek

Some colleges get a lot of press while other quality schools fly under the radar. Robert Franek of The Princeton Review has selected 20 great schools that don't always grab the headlines but are definitely worth checking out. Whether it's a stellar academic reputation, an unusual internship program, or a vibrant student body, these colleges have something exciting to offer. Note that all costs include tuition, fees, books, and supplies. Room and board (R&B) is listed separately. Size refers to number of undergraduates.

1. Albertson College of Idaho, Caldwell, ID

WWW.ALBERTSON.EDU. COST: $14,700 R&B: $5,000 SIZE: 824

Although Albertson is known as a "liberal arts" college, one of the most popular majors here is business administration. The school boasts small classes (average size is 15) and lots of personal attention from the faculty. Biology students often combine classroom work with field trips to the Owyhee and Sawtooth Mountains. A good percentage go on to medical school. Look to the alumni for proof of Albertson's academic reputation: The school has produced six Rhodes scholars, two governors, Academy Award and Pulitzer Prize winners, the co-discoverer of vitamin B-12, and the man who perfected a method to freeze french fries.

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2. Assumption College, Worcester, MA

WWW.ASSUMPTION.EDU COST: $21,765 R&B: $8,210 SIZE: 2,050

Assumption College has all the features of a small college: one on one interaction with professors, manageable class sizes, and fellow students who are names not numbers. And Worcester, Massachusetts, the oft-overlooked neighbor to its famous rival, Boston, is a smokin' town for college students--cheap and user-friendly! Assumption students cash in on their beautiful campus and close-knit student population, while just outside the gates lay nine other colleges. Can you say "undergrad HEAVEN?" Majors of note are business, psychology, and a unique program in social and rehabilitation services.

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3. Butler University, Indianapolis, IN

WWW.BUTLER.EDU COST: $22,040 R&B: $7,040 SIZE: 3,667

Looking for a small school with big-city connections? Look no further! Butler University has the right combination of talented professors and small classes to make even the shyest student comfy. Professors deserve special mention for their professional network--they are hooked up to the pulse of Indianapolis, and students benefit from great internships. Popular majors are business/marketing, health sciences, and education.

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4. Chapman University, Orange, CA

WWW.CHAPMAN.EDU COST: $25,590 R&B $8,200 SIZE: 3,263

All the undergrads at Chapman brag that theirs is one of the most socially responsible communities in the country. The school's ideal sunny, warm location is another big source of pride. Chapman is committed to hiring talented faculty and continually growing the college curriculum. One of the most recent additions is the School of Film and Television, and visual/performing arts is the most popular major. Other top majors are business and communications.

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5. Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO

WWW.WELCOME.COLOSTATE.EDU IN-STATE COST: $2,655 OUT-OF-STATE: $11,925 SIZE: 21,677

While special bragging rights go to the departments of engineering, biology, physical sciences, and veterinary medicine, all CSU students report a stellar overall experience in a large university setting. Though most CSU undergrads hail from Colorado, the university actively seeks students from across the country to diversify its campus. The social scene is jumping with a place for urban hipsters, nature lovers, and everyone in between.

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6. DePaul University, Chicago, IL

WWW.DEPAUL.EDU COST: $18,750 R&B: $7,300 SIZE: 13,020

DePaul offers a campus to suit any taste: there's one urban and one suburban. Students here report unparalleled programs in business, computer science, and pre-professional studies, but are also quick to point out how DePaul's learn-by-doing mantra infuses the educational experience. Undergrads are expected to take advantage of the many opportunities Chicago has to offer through community service, work-study, or internships.

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7. Drew University, Madison, NJ

WWW.DRE.EDU COST: $31,031 R&B: $7,644 SIZE: 1,558

Forget everything bad you ever heard about New Jersey and prepare to be dazzled! Located 25 miles outside of New York City, Drew offers its small student population big city access while maintaining a small town feel at home. Home is a huge (at least by Jersey standards) campus in the woods. Notable programs include poly-sci, theater, economics, foreign languages, and killer off-campus semesters. Drew-ids are a close knit, liberally minded group who dig working and playing hard!

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8. Flagler, St. Augustine, FL

WWW.FLAGLER.EDU COST: $8,110 R&B: $4,450 SIZE: 1,921

While Ponce de Leon never found the fountain of youth in Flagler's hometown of St. Augustine, students report near perpetual youth in an academic environment bursting with life. Where else can you find profs who come to class in floral shirts and shorts? And students get personal attention with average class sizes of 21. Within its traditional liberal arts core are many unique majors, including Latin American studies, Spanish, and sports management, as well as a highly touted deaf education program.