Affordable small colleges under 2000 students?

Hi there! I've been thinking a lot about the kind of environment I want for my college years, and a small college seems ideal. However, affordability is crucial - does anyone know of any small colleges (under 2000 students) that are also affordable? Thanks in advance!

Sure, I can definitely provide a few suggestions for small, affordable colleges. Just as a disclaimer, the definition of "affordable" can vary greatly depending on a family's income, savings, and financial situation. However, I'll try to list schools known for their solid financial aid or lower-than-average cost of attendance.

Let's start with public colleges:

1. New College of Florida - Known as the "honors college" of the Florida public university system, it has around 800 students and offers full-ride scholarships to Florida residents with strong academics.

2. University of Minnesota, Morris - A public liberal arts college with about 1,600 students. In-state tuition tends to be more affordable, and they offer scholarships for both in-state and out-of-state students.

Next, here are some private colleges that meet a high percentage of demonstrated need, which may make them more affordable dependent on your family's financial situation:

1. Amherst College - Although private, Amherst is known for its top-tier financial aid which makes it surprisingly affordable. It has a robust financial aid program and meets 100% of demonstrated financial need. Amherst's total enrollment is around 1,800 students.

2. Berea College - Located in Kentucky, Berea College offers all students a Tuition Promise Scholarship, which covers 100% of tuition. They have about 1,600 students.

3. Cooper Union - A unique option for students interested in Engineering, Art, or Architecture. Cooper Union has about 950 students and scholarships cover at least half of tuition for every admitted student.

4. Swarthmore College - This school, though private, has a robust financial aid program and meets 100% of demonstrated financial need. Swarthmore's total enrollment is around 1,500 students.

Lastly, I would suggest checking out each school's net price calculator (usually found on their financial aid website) for a more accurate estimate of your personal costs. Best of luck in your college search!