Tag: college

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What Will Obama’s Legacy be when it Comes to Diversity on College Campuses?

With less than two years left in office, President Barack Obama still has a lofty agenda when it comes to education in America. From supporting wider access to universal Pre-K all the way up to a proposal for two free years of community college for everyone, President Obama has taken an immersive approach to education that challenges the status quo. When it is all said and done, what will President Obama’s college diversity legacy look like?

More people of color in college leadership positions

Though he has not introduced any official legislation that demands more people of color in leadership spots, the President’s mere presence in the nation’s highest position has paved the way for others to step up in their own industries. I predict a steep rise in minority faculty members, deans and college presidents in the coming decade due indirectly to the example set by this President. His push for more minority graduates will also mean more minority college leaders being fed into university systems.

More minorities graduating from college

The rate of students entering colleges across the nation was already at a record-high when President Obama took office, but so was college debt. Between unchecked student loan interest rates and for-profit universities recruiting non-traditional and minority students without the right support programs in place for those students to graduate, the college landscape had become ineffective for many of the nation’s students. In his tenure, President Obama has worked hard to make the cost of college more affordable, through more federal Pell grants and more federally-backed student loans, as well as loan repayment programs that offer caps on income or loan forgiveness clauses. This has helped all students but an argument can be made that making college more affordable will prove a long-term improvement when it comes to minority graduates who were deterred by the high cost in the first place.

Specifically, President Obama has put minority-friendly programs in place like My Brother’s Keeper that address the specific problems that particular groups face when it comes to obtaining an education. He has also made K-12 schools more accountable for getting their students college-ready with federally-funded incentives like Race to the Top, which focuses on closing the achievement gap between white and minority students. In order to feed colleges more minority students who are ready for the tasks, the grades that come before the college years must be considered – and the President seems get that, and to have a good grasp of the bigger picture of what a college education means for minorities.

More high-skilled minorities in the workforce

With his proposal for tuition-free community college for the first two years for all students, President Obama is ensuring that this next generation of high school graduates will be able to elevate their educations beyond the K-12 years. This applies to all students, but here again is a point where minorities will benefit most. By essentially making the first two years of a college education an extension of the high school years, with some performance requirements attached, minorities will not face the financial roadblock that often accompanies entering college right after high school. Perhaps the area where minorities will see the biggest boost if this proposal becomes law is in the portion that will allow older students who never completed college right after high school to go back to school too. Non-traditional minority students will not have to go the for-profit college route to return to school or find a way to carve out tuition to community colleges from household budgets.

President Obama has always been outspoken about his goals of breaking down barriers in the way of minorities who want to obtain a college education, particularly young men of color. As he completes his term in office, I expect to see him confront these initiatives with even more aggression to cement his legacy as a President that worked hard to improve the diversity on American college campuses.

Click here to read all our posts concerning the Achievement Gap.

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3 Things High School Students Should Know about College

As the stakes rise regarding the necessity of a high school diploma for lifelong success, so do the standards to earn one. High school students and graduates today must know more than the generations that came before them, both in academic and real-world applications. College, which was once considered an option for some students, is now viewed as a necessity. All of the lesson planning from Kindergarten forward funnels student information into the end goal of high school and college graduation.

While rigorous academics can certainly prepare students for college, which is just one facet of what I believe they should know. There is no way to totally prepare a young adult for the realities of the college experience and what it will mean for his or her long-term success, but there are some things that high school educators should emphasize, including:

1. The cost of a college education. We are so quick to push our students towards a college education that we often forget the practicalities. While in most cases a college degree will pay off in the end, it is expensive upfront and can have an impact on the early years of adulthood. It is flawed thinking to assume that young people with very limited experience with their personal finances will truly be able to comprehend the cost and sacrifice of a college education. Any efforts to better inform students about the responsibility and reality of a college education should not be undertaken as a discouragement but rather as a way to inform them of what those things will mean in real-life settings. Things like estimated college loan repayments, and for how long, should be discussed and put in terms of how many hours of work that money will end up equaling.

2. The importance of a college degree. While it does come at a cost, a college degree is well worth it over the course of a lifetime. People with bachelor degrees earn nearly $1 million more over their lifetimes than their peers who receive high school diplomas. People with master’s degrees earn closer to $1.3 million more. So even the most expensive colleges, if paid out of pocket and through loans, still do not tally up to the lifetime earnings potential of a college graduate versus a high school one. A college degree holds more than financial value though. There is the issue of job stability and security too. By 2018, over 60 percent of jobs will require a college degree and that number is sure to rise. This next generation of K-12 students simply cannot afford to bypass college learning and this should be emphasized to high school students whenever higher education is discussed.

3. The outlook in the industry of interest. From a young age, children are asked the inevitable “what do you want to be when you grow up?” question. With stars in their eyes, they talk about the jobs that seem the most glamorous – firefighters, movie stars, doctors and maybe even teachers. While all of these are noble career choices, high school students should have a firm grasp on the field they want to pursue in terms of job opportunities and earning potential. Again, this is not to discourage students from following what they believe to be their calling – but it is a way to guide them into their field of interest with eyes wide open.

Before high school graduates are shipped off to college with dreams of jobs and big paychecks on the other side, they need a reality check. A college degree is a valuable asset but does not come without a cost.

What else should high school students know before they enroll in college?

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Diverse Conversations: The Difference Between Diversity and Equity

The nature of higher education is changing and the student population is changing at colleges and universities across the country. With luck, the promotion of equality in higher education will continue to engender equality in education – not only in terms of student access, actually, but in terms of employment. But how does diversity and equity work out in education – in the practice of teaching in higher education? Given the issues of equality and diversity within education, how, in today’s changing context, can we move on and teach these principles effectively?

To grapple with this issue, I spoke to Dr. Adriel A. Hilton, Director, College Student Personnel Program & Assistant Professor of College Student Personnel at Western Carolina University. Dr. Hilton served as past director for the Center for African American Research and Policy as well as Assistant Vice President for Inclusion Initiatives at Grand Valley State University. He also served as chief diversity officer and executive assistant to the President & Assistant Secretary to the Board of Trustees at Upper Iowa University.

Q: Concentrating on this issue of equality and diversity, first, let’s talk about how they are related. How do you see the relationship between equality and diversity in higher education?

A: I find it interesting that two words with contrasting meanings are used jointly as a way to improve higher education. Equality is synonymous with likeness, uniformity, fairness, and homology; while diversity, on the other hand, means unlikeness, variance, mixed, and heterogeneity. Yet, when the words are synced with higher education, they become mutually beneficial, having a powerful impact.

Much research has been done on the effects of diversity in higher education, concluding it has very positive effects on students. Exposure to diversity—whether it be cultural, race, gender, religion, sexual orientation or those with disabilities—provides students the opportunity to learn about and from each other, resulting in cognitive growth and citizenship.

The equality factor in higher education is to assure all students legally start off on a level playing field. Equity policies have evolved over the years—from the first affirmative action laws in the 60s to the One Florida Initiative of the late 90s to the Student Non-Discrimination Act of 2013. These laws were not intended to give preferential treatment, but are an effort to break down the barriers that discourage underrepresented populations from enrolling in college and suffering injustices in the workplace. These efforts are still widely debated, particularly quotas, but with colleges today focusing on promoting diversity, having some sort of equality policies in place on campus set expectations for students, faculty, and staff. They set standards of respect and call for all students to view each other as equals and for faculty and staff to treat each student, regardless of his or her differences, the same.

Q: Do you think higher education institutions are sufficiently aware of the difference and if not, why not?

A: I would like to think that anyone employed in higher education appreciates equality and diversity and acts accordingly, but I am not that naive—hence the need for equality regulations and policies. Personal experience has proved that people in higher education are human first, with learned prejudices that have been passed down through the generations and of which are hard to let go. It is only through knowledge of and exposure to people of different races, culture, religion, gender, sexual orientation, and those with disabilities, that insight is gained about another person’s lived experiences. Without this knowledge, any degree of empathy, respect, or joy about any person who is unlike us is impossible to understand. When no conscious effort is made to learn about diversity and equality, progress is impeded.

Q: Explain why you feel it is imperative that courses in diversity and equality are included in college curricula.

A: The obvious answer is knowledge about diversity equips our graduates with the tools needed to effectively cope in today’s diverse workplace and global society. We now live in an age where technology has allowed us to easily connect with all types of people from around the world. Sensitivity toward a person’s culture, race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, and disability is an absolute must.

Community service is another motivation for colleges to offer diversity and equality courses. Who better to pass on the importance of a college education to underrepresented teens than someone who has been through the process? When college students serve as role models through partnership programs with local public schools, it can be very fulfilling and even lead to a lifelong passion for community service.

However, the main reason diversity and equality should be taught at the college level is that it helps to develop empathetic, socially conscious individuals. I think former Florida Governor Jeb Bush is a good example of a college-educated, empathetic, and socially conscious, wealthy white male.

According to the NCSL (National Council of State Legislatures) website, when Governor Bush issued the One Florida Initiative in 1999, his intent was to reform college preparation in Florida public schools (P-12) for all students, regardless of race or ethnicity, and to do away with race-based college admissions. He stated in a press release, “With my One Florida Initiative, we can increase opportunity and diversity in the state universities and state contracting without using policies that discriminate or pit one racial group against another.”

According to the Foundation for Excellence in Education (Bush is founder and board chairman of FEE) website “…during his two terms, Bush championed major reform of education in Florida, raised academic standards, required accountability in public schools …created the most ambitious school choice program in the nation …progress is measurable …more high school seniors are earning a diploma …fewer students are dropping out …third through 10th grade students are outscoring 60-70 percent of their peers in all other states in both reading and math.”

Bush recognized a problem, developed a solution, and put it into action. In my opinion, without a strong conviction toward diversity and equity, Bush would not have seen the potential in all students, no matter their class, race, gender, religion, or disability, nor would he have been empathetic or cared enough to want to help the under-served population so they too had a chance to be successful.

Q: What advice would you give to fellow academics and administrators looking to teach diversity and equality and promote it?

A: Be objective. Teach from diverse perspectives – the first-generation Black male, the low-income Hispanic teen, women, disabled Veterans. Tell people’s stories, past and present. Bring in experts to speak. But most importantly, have your students be a part of the discussion by honestly sharing their own experiences, asking hard questions, and having healthy debates so that they become personally vested in the learning process. Finally, initiate community service programs that partner with local schools to get students involved. It is through service that they will be able to see first-hand what a positive impact they can have on the lives of others. Remember, as instructors, our job is to plant the seed. It is the student’s responsibility to take that seed (knowledge) and, hopefully, choose to nurture it and make it grow.

We would like to thank Dr. Hilton for taking time out of his busy schedule to meet with us.

 

 

 

 

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Are Historically Black Colleges and Universities Worth Saving?

If you haven’t been paying much attention to the debate concerning the relevance and effectiveness of historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs), now is the time to sit up and take notice. If you don’t, there is a chance it could soon be too late. Over the last two decades, we have seen the number of HBCUs in the United States sharply decline and this greatly concerns me. Those who believe in the benefits of HBCUs need to stand up and let their voices be heard, before these important institutions are gone forever.

HBCUs are coming under fire for everything from not improving their failing infrastructures to producing lower graduation rates, and more. But we need to take a moment to look at why people should pull together, rally around them, and help them make it through turbulent economic times. HBCUs have helped to educate some of the most prominent African American figures in this country’s history, including Jesse Jackson, Samuel L. Jackson, Martin Luther King Jr., Spike Lee, and Thurgood Marshall, among many others.

HBCUs provide cultural benefits, as well as providing an affordable education. This cultural foundation has been important to the African American community for over a century. Our HBCUs were there, supporting the community and educating our people, long before other colleges would even let them through the door. So are we saying that, just because mainstream American colleges will now let black students in, we should abandon the institutions that supported us and helped us get to where we are today?

HBCUs are a part of African American tradition, going back generations. They were not only there during the struggle; they helped our people get through it! We owe them our support and respect. They were there for us, and it is time, right now, for us to be there for them.

The biggest reason that HBCUs are fading is because they are often lack sufficient funding, which makes it difficult for them to survive. Without adequate funding, they will end up deteriorating and are apt to become a thing of the past. The low completion rate at HBCUs has also been a contributing factor to their demise. But I believe that it is the other way around: the lack of funding has contributed to the lower graduation rates. HBCUs have to deal with the fact that many of their academically eligible students drop out of college each year because their financial needs cannot be met with Pell Grants and other aid. A large portion of HBCUs have small endowments, so there isn’t a huge rainy day fund to tap into when financial challenges arise.

In my home state of Mississippi, I grew up attending athletic and cultural functions at Tougaloo College, Alcorn State University, Mississippi Valley State University and Jackson State University. These universities are sources of great pride and a part of the African American intellectual tradition. Now is the time when people who support HBUCs, including advocates, organizations, faculty, students and alumni, need to rally together to help save this historical piece of African American history. If these groups come together and make their voices heard, we will be able to save these institutions. But make no mistake, if there is no rally, if there is no coming together to let the powers-that-be know that we want them saved, then I predict that they will be gone in 50 or so years. And they will not return. Nobody is going to turn back the hands of time and open another historically black college or university, because it wouldn’t be historic. Right now, they are historic, and they need our support and rescue!

Many people are currently asking whether HBCUs are worth saving in the first place. I ask, how can these historical institutions, which represent African American culture, tradition and struggle for educational equality, not be considered worth saving? If they are not worth saving, then it makes it very difficult to find any other piece of African American heritage that is worth saving. These educational institutions are symbols of our people that must not be ignored.

I urge those who care about these institutions to speak out, show your support, and demand that adequate funding be provided to them, so that they can make it through these turbulent economic times. It’s not just about saving a college or university. This is a metaphor for saving ourselves! With proper funding, these schools will thrive, carrying on our culture and traditions as they were meant to do.

In the words of the great Eldridge Cleaver, “You’re either part of the solution or part of the problem.” Which will you be?

Read all of our posts about HBCUs by clicking here.

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2023 Best Colleges and Universities in Louisiana

Louisiana boasts 36 four-year colleges and universities, and several of them rank among the best institutes of higher education in not only the South but also in the nation. Several of the 2022 best colleges and universities in Louisiana are considered best-value schools as well.

These three schools rank among the top 100 universities in the southern region of the US.

McNeese State University – This public school has developed a strong reputation for being a University of Innovation, and its programs meet a variety of student needs. This campus is home to the Southwest Louisiana Entrepreneurial and Economic Development Center that also serves as a business incubator. Annual tuition is approximately $7,920.

Nicholls State University – A public institution of higher education, Nicholls is known for outstanding teaching and service, and it ranks high as a top public school and among regional universities in the South. Annual tuition here is also approximately $7,346.

Louisiana College – One of the private schools on this list, Louisiana College is a liberal arts school that offers selected professional programs. The student population here is 54% male, and annual tuition and fees cost $16,000.

Four of the top universities are located in Louisiana’s Crescent City: New Orleans.

University of Holy Cross –  This institute of higher education ranks #35 among other national liberal arts colleges, and it accepts 40% of its applicants. Tuition and fees here average $14,720 annually.

Loyola University New Orleans – In the top ten schools in the southern region of the United States, Loyola focuses on academic rigor and personal service. This Jesuit school offer 60 programs, plenty of extracurricular activities, and a range of athletics. The annual tuition is approximately $39,692.

Xavier University of Louisiana –  Ranked in the top 25 among regional schools in the South, Xavier is affiliated with the Roman Catholic church, and the school teaches service and leadership in addition to academics. The focus here is on providing minority students an education that surpasses programs at other schools. Tuition and fees at this private school are $24,348 annually.

Tulane University – Tulane is tied for 44th place among universities across the nation. Located in downtown NOLA, this college is at the hub of culture and cuisine. There is also an uptown campus. This university is known for its law school as well as the School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine. The school is highly selective, and those student accepted into the university can expect to pay approximately $54,820 annually in tuition and fees.

Louisiana offers plenty of opportunities to study at institutes of higher education, and students can make their college experience a memorable one here.

 Click here to learn more about the ranking methodology that we used to compile this list.

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2023 Best Colleges and Universities in Maine

Tucked away in the northeastern corner of the United States, Maine is known for lobsters and clam bakes, and it’s the home of writer Stephen King. Maine is also home to outstanding colleges and universities.

These 2022 best colleges and universities may make you reconsider your choices for higher education.

Bowdoin College – This small, private college is the third-best liberal arts school in the United States. In addition to providing an excellent education, the college also offers plenty of rich college experiences. This school is home to the Peucinian Society, of which alumni Henry Wadsworth Longfellow was a member. Bowdoin is a best-value school and is respected for its undergraduate teaching. Annual tuition is approximately $53,922.

Maine Maritime Academy –  This college offers independent and regimental programs of study. Students enrolled in the regimental program train as midshipmen, but there is no requirement for military service. Most students complete academy cruise training consisting of at least four ports of call. This school is a best-value college, and it has a respected engineering program. Annual tuition at MMA is approximately $13,478.

University of Maine – Farmington – This institute of higher education offers a rigorous liberal arts education in a residential setting that encourages students to focus on their studies. The school also teaches community service and prides itself on hiring inspirational faculty to help students learn and grow. This college was the first school of higher education in Maine. The university is a best-value school, recognized as a great school for veterans, and is #4 among top public schools. Annual tuition here is approximately $9,616.

Colby College – Colby ranks at an impressive #18 among liberal arts colleges in the nation. Many students here attend the college to major in environmental studies; attractions include a nearby peat bog and environmental preserve. This college offers fifty majors, and two-thirds of the students study abroad at programs in France, Spain, and Russia. The annual tuition and fees run approximately $55,210.

Bates College – This private, liberal arts school is #22 in the nation among similar schools. The college provides students with a well-rounded education designed to prepare them for their careers, and many students participate in the school’s program for studying abroad. Students can take advantage of many outdoor activities, including canoeing and skiing. Most students live on campus in one of many Victorian homes located on the 133 acres of the school. Tuition here averages $53,794 a year.

These five colleges and universities represent not only some of the best in Maine but the region and the nation as well.

Click here to learn more about the ranking methodology that we used to compile this list.

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2023 Best Colleges and Universities in Arkansas

Arkansas is home to gorgeous scenery thanks to the Ozarks, and this state is also well known for its colleges and universities.

The 2022 best colleges and universities in Arkansas are listed below.

University of the Ozarks – The third best regional college in the south, this school offers a comprehensive, private education.  The college prides itself on small class sizes, and as a result, the education for every student is personalized. This Christian-based school is affiliated with the Presbyterian church. Annual tuition is $24,230.

John Brown University – This is a small, private school that offers 40 undergraduate degrees in the humanities, fine arts, business, engineering and Bible studies, and the school also offers master’s degrees. Students from more than 40 states and almost 40 countries have chosen John Brown as their university. Annual tuition and fees at this school are approximately $29,928.

Harding University – Another private university in Arkansas, Harding is known for its acceptance of National Merit Scholars. The school devotes itself to preparing students for global success, and more than two-thirds of the student population has studied overseas at one of the school’s international campuses located in Africa, Australia, and Europe. Annual tuition and fees are just under $20,000.

Williams Baptist College – This private, Christian school offers a liberal arts education that is tailored to student need and delivered in small class sizes.  Students enroll predominantly in elementary education, biblical studies, psychology, and general management. Annual tuition is $17,320.

University of Arkansas, Pine Bluff – This public institution of higher education is a small school that began as a land grant school. The college is known for programs in criminal justice, business administration/management, physical education/coaching, and biological sciences. It’s also well-known as a historically black college. Annual tuition is under $7,944 for in-state students.

Arkansas State University – A-State, as students and alums call it, offers more than 160 bachelor’s and master’s degrees, and the school ranks at #95 in best regional colleges of the south, and among the top in Arkansas. Also, the school offers classes in military science, a vibrant college experience with plenty of intramurals, and it attracts students from around the world. In-state tuition is $8,478 annually.

Most of the top colleges and universities in Arkansas are smaller in size than schools in other states, but the educational experience offered in Arkansas may be more personalized.

 Click here to learn more about the ranking methodology that we used to compile this list.

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2023 Best Colleges and Universities in Kansas

Kansas has plenty to offer prospective college students, from suburban and rural institutes of higher learning to universities located in urban centers.

Many of the colleges and universities are private, Christian institutions. They offer excellent value, a liberal arts education, and you may be surprised at how good some of their specific programs are.

The 2022 best colleges and universities in Kansas may have you reconsidering your top higher ed picks.

Benedictine College – At #13 in regional colleges of the Midwest, this private Catholic school hand-picks their admitted students, and getting in is not easy. Students are encouraged to study abroad through the university, and options include programs in Italy and Ireland at sister campuses. Tuition and fees are $29,530 annually.

McPherson College – When small class size matters, McPherson is the choice for a liberal arts school in the Midwest. Students expand their learning through internships and international studies. You’ll pay approximately $28,951 a year in tuition and fees.

Ottawa University – Since 1865, this Christian school has provided higher education for students seeking vocational training and service to God.

Emporia State University – This school offers 80 undergrad majors, but the one they are most well known for is their education program. It’s been compared to a similar program at Stanford, and education majors seeking leadership training will find that a degree from this school earns them serious respect in their profession. Tuition is approximately $7,000 annually.

MidAmerica Nazarene University – This Christian-based school prepares students for critical thinking, a conservative philosophy, and a personal relationship with God. Three-fourths of the classes here have fewer than 20 students.   Tuition is $30,736 annually.

University of Kansas  – This university ranks at #129 nationwide, and it focuses on research and teaching. The programs in special education and public administration are outstanding, and the KU law program is a top 20 choice for value. Annual tuition is approximately $11,148.

Haskell Indian Nations University – This school is devoted to educating Native Americans in higher education, and one of its many unique characteristics is that it focuses on indigenous studies. Students learn about their native cultures and explore their role in history. The U.S. Bureau of Education pays for the tuition of native American students.

Even if you’re looking to travel beyond Kansas for your higher education program, Kansas is still a great state to call home. Kansas residents get discounted tuition rates at identified public universities in eight states through the Midwest Student Exchange.

 Click here to learn more about the ranking methodology that we used to compile this list.

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2023 Best Colleges and Universities in Colorado

There may be no better place for higher education, quite literally, than Colorado. This state is entirely above 1,000 meters in elevation, and every campus in the state sits higher than many of the colleges and universities around the country.

Elevation aside, there are several outstanding institutes of higher education in the Centennial State. The 2022 best colleges and universities in Colorado are also some of the best in the western region of schools.

Colorado College – This school offers an innovative block plan for taking classes, and students take one class at a time for three and a half weeks. Students can take advantage of small class sizes, and teachers are encouraged to spend as much time as necessary to make sure the material is learned. Every completed block class gets a several-day break before the next one starts. Also, all students are required to complete a volunteer service project. This school ranks #27 among national liberal arts colleges, and the annual tuition and fees are $55,470.

Colorado Mesa University – A top-25 school in western regional colleges, this university focuses on the student academic experience by offering small classes that investigate regional, national and global issues. A little more than half of the student population is female. In-state tuition and fees are just under $9,243 per year.

United States Air Force Academy – Air Force requires that all students engage in military training in addition to their chosen field of study.  Cadets commit to an ambitious schedule that takes up most of their days, but they also have an opportunity to become involved in additional activities. Academy graduates are well-known for their integrity, likely because they take the school’s honor code seriously. There is no cost for tuition.

Regis University – A top school in Colorado, Regis ranks at #26 among western regional universities, and it’s a good choice for veterans. Regis is a private school that focuses on teaching values as well as academics. Tuition is $36,810 annually.

Colorado School of Mines – Ranked 80th among national universities, this school offers studies in Mechanical Engineering and Geophysical, and it’s also known for Liberal Arts & International Studies as well as Economics & Business. More impressive, though, is that graduates of this school have some of the highest starting salaries in the United States. In-state tuition is just under $19,000 annually.

University of Denver – At #96 nationally, the private University of Denver boasts many programs for study, including fine arts and engineering, and the curriculum in every discipline includes a focus on writing as well as cross-disciplinary studies. The acclaimed Sturm College of Law is housed at this school. Annual tuition is approximately $50,556 per year.

These top colleges and universities are not only among the best in Colorado, but they are among the best in the nation.

 Click here to learn more about the ranking methodology that we used to compile this list.

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2023 Best Colleges and Universities in California

Known for its Pacific Ocean coastline, urban metropolises and variety of scenic beauty, California has always been the epitome of the good life.

If you’re dreaming of California living – and studying – these are the 2022 best colleges and universities in the Golden State.

Stanford University – Ranked #7 in the nation and #1 in California, Stanford is well known for programs in education, engineering, law, medicine, and business. First-year students are required to live on campus, but most Stanford students choose campus housing for their entire educational careers. Annual tuition and fees at this school are just under $51,354.

California Institute of Technology –  Those interested in science and technology degrees attend the California Institute of Technology. Students can expect to have hands-on learning experiences because of this school’s grants from organizations like NASA and the National Science Foundation, and several prominent entrepreneurs are Caltech grads. Annual tuition is $52,362.

Tied for 21st position across the United States are these three schools:

University of California – Berkeley  – Well-known for activism and the Free Speech Movement, this school is a thriving hub of not only academics but also social interest groups, with over 1,000 student clubs and organizations. The university is considered one of the top 25 in the nation, a superior undergraduate teaching school, and a best-value school. In-state tuition is less than $15,000 annually.

University of California – Los Angeles –  Undergrads especially prefer UCLA, likely because of well-known schools in engineering, law, and medicine. The David Geffen School of Medicine is affiliated with the highly acclaimed Ronald Reagan School of Medicine. The competition for acceptance is fierce; UCLA turns away 82% of all applicants. In-state tuition is $13,820.

University of Southern California –  Also known as the University Park campus, this school is home to the famous Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, but it is also home to other programs of distinction like the Marshall School of Business and the Gould School of Law. The tuition and fees at this private school are $54,259 annually.

Other schools of note include:

Claremont McKenna College – One of the top ten liberal arts schools in America, Claremont McKenna is known for its undergraduate programs focusing on leadership skills. Students enjoy small class sizes and hands-on experiences that lead to research projects and internships. The annual tuition and fees are $54,405.

Harvey Mudd College – Harvey Mudd ranks #18 across the nation in liberal arts colleges, and with good reason. The private, liberal arts school is an incubator for leaders in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. It is part of the Claremont College system, and annual tuition and fees are just under $56,876.

With choices like these, who wouldn’t want to study in California?

 Click here to learn more about the ranking methodology that we used to compile this list.

Congratulations! If you represent a college or university that is included in this list, please collect your seal below.