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Financial Fit Is Part of College Fit

Before falling in love with a college, families should understand the likely cost. Net price calculators, scholarship policies, tuition discounting, and financial aid deadlines are important parts of the admissions process. A college that doesn't look affordable at first may be the most affordable option, so families should look carefully at the full cost and ask good questions early.

College
Colorado State University
Public University, Carnegie Research 1 Institution
Fort Collins, Colorado
www.admissions.colostate.edu

• Undergraduate student enrollment: 26,221
• College location: Suburban, college-town
• Distance from nearest airport: Denver International Airport – 1 Hour/~70 miles
• Average accepted GPA & test scores: 3.70 GPA. Test optional.
• Acceptance rate: 89%
• Application deadlines: Early Action - November 15th; WUE and scholarship consideration and Regular Decision – January 15th. Rolling after that.
• Merit scholarships/Need-based financial aid: Out of state western students - Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE): 1.5x in-state tuition = $11,229. 3.2 unweighted GPA requirement. Merit Scholarships: Sliding scale based on GPA. CSU Scholarship Application (CSUSA): Institution scholarships. FAFSA for limited need-based aid.
• Most popular, new, or unique majors: 75+ majors: Pre-Vet ( #2 Veterinary School in the Country), Biomedical Sciences, Health and Exercise Science, Engineering, Computer Science, Business, Watershed Science, Construction Management, Zoology, Equine Science, Fermentation Science
• Student Life: NCAA Division 1 athletic teams, Infinite Outdoor Recreation opportunities including rock climbing, skiing/snowboarding, hiking, equestrian, etc., Intramural Sports Teams, Greek Life, 500+ Student Clubs and Organizations, Residence Hall learning communities.
• Total Cost of Attendance 2025-2026: In-state = $35,722. WUE COA = $47,720. Out of state COA = $58,949
• What is unique or makes your school stand out? Fort Collins is a top-rated city for bicyclists and an outdoor enthusiast’s playground. Old Town Fort Collins is picturesque and served as inspiration for Main Street USA at Disneyland. CSU is the greenest University in the US and is the first school in the world to earn Platinum in the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating System (STARS) rating system for multiple consecutive years. CSU believes in holistic student success. Our students actively learn and get involved in the community – our Sports Management and Health and Exercise students get hands on experience with not only our CSU athletic teams but also the Denver Broncos and the Colorado Rockies. Our Apparel and Design students create costumes for the Colorado Ballet Academy. Our Hospitality Management and Food Sciences students run Aspen Grille, the student operated restaurant on campus. Our Interior Design and Construction Management students build tiny homes, and our Equine Science students rehabilitate horses and find them new homes. Our students are encouraged to be a part of our Honors program, participate in research projects and study abroad. Colorado State University has something for everyone to feel at home. We are excited for you to join our RAMily!

Major Snapshot
Professional Tennis Management

The USTA’s professional tennis management (PTM) program is a great addition to a four-year bachelor’s degree. Students with focus areas in hospitality, sports management and exercise science can add value to their degree and open career options in tennis in facility management, technology, marketing, and business.

Colleges offering a bachelors or master’s degree in professional Tennis Management:
Berry College
Bridgewater State University
Ferris State University
Hope College
Manhattanville College
Methodist University
San Diego State University
University of Central Florida
University of Florida

There Is More Than One Right College

Students do not need one perfect dream school. There are many colleges where a student can grow, succeed, make friends, explore interests, and prepare for the future. A healthy admissions process focuses on building strong options rather than placing all the pressure on one school. The goal is not just to get in, it is to find places where the student can thrive.

College Spotlight
Connecticut College
Private College
New London, Connecticut
www.conncoll.edu

• Undergraduate student enrollment: 1,990
• College location: Suburban; a 750-acre arboretum campus adjacent to the historic seaport city of New London.
• Distance from nearest major airport: Providence/PVD – 50 miles, less than one hour.
• Average accepted GPA and test scores: GPA average 3.7. SAT 1340 – 1470. ACT 31-33
Test-optional for 15 years and counting.
• Acceptance rate: 37%
• Application deadlines: Early Decision: November 1, Early Action: November 1. Early Decision II: January 15. Regular Decision: January 15.
• Merit scholarships/Need-based aid: Connecticut College meets 100% of demonstrated financial need, primarily through grants and scholarships. FAFSA and CSS Profile are required for need-based awarding. Merit scholarships, ranging from $15,000 to $34,000, are automatically awarded.
• Most popular, new, or unique majors Popular: Economics, Government, Biology, Psychology, English, Computer Science, International Affairs, Neuroscience, Environmental Studies. Unique/Strengths: Architectural Studies, Botany, Dance, Film Studies, Quantitative Economics, Theater, and our unique Pathways and Centers!
• Student Life: A vibrant and engaged residential campus, 98% live on campus all four years. NCAA Division 3 athletics, 26 teams. Strong involvement in the arts, athletics, community service, outdoor activities, and various affinity groups. More than 80 registered student-run organizations.
• Total Cost of Attendance 2025-2026: $94,800
• What is unique or makes your school stand out? Founded in 1911, in the historic seaport town of New London, Connecticut College is a highly selective liberal arts college situated on a 750-acre arboretum campus overlooking Long Island Sound and the Thames River. Our innovative educational approach, Connections, integrates everything our 1,900 students experience here—classes, majors, study abroad, internships, residence hall and campus life—so they learn how to look at problems from multiple angles and find value in differing points of view. Along the way, each student is fully supported by a team comprising an academic adviser, a career adviser, a staff adviser and a peer adviser, and they obtain real-world experience in many classes and extracurricular activities. Our mission is to educate students to put the liberal arts into action as citizens in a global society.

Major Snapshot
Zoology

Zoology is the study of animals, from the simplest sponges to the most advanced arthropods, mollusks, and vertebrates. Zoology focuses on mainly un-domesticated animals and their conservation along with physiology, behavior, and evolution. A zoologist studies animals both in the wild and captivity. By observing various species in their habitats, zoologists understand how animals behave in the wild. Their goal is to identify and monitor how different species interact within their ecosystem.

Some colleges offering a degree or certificate in Zoology:
Berry College
Bucknell University
California Polytechnic University Humboldt
Colorado State University
Delaware Valley University
Eckerd College
Kent State University
Kentucky Wesleyan College
Liberty University
Malone University
Miami University (OH)
Michigan State University
North Carolina State University
Ohio State University
Ohio Wesleyan University
Oklahoma State University
Oregon State University
Southern Illinois University
Texas A&M University
University of Florida
University of Maine
University of New Hampshire
University of Oklahoma
University of Vermont
University of Wisconsin
Washington State University

Top College Search & Comparison Websites

College Board BigFuture
Great for searching by major, location, size, cost, selectivity, test scores, and more.
https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org

College Navigator
A U.S. Department of Education site with reliable data on graduation rates, costs, majors, financial aid, admissions, and enrollment.
https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator

College Data
Includes all the usual data and statistics along with information on merit and need-based aid averages.
https://www.collegedata.com/

Niche
Helpful for student reviews, campus life, rankings, location, dorms, food, and overall “feel.”
https://www.niche.com/colleges

U.S. News College Search
Useful for rankings, admissions data, majors, tuition, and academic reputation.
https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges

Cost & Financial Aid Research
College Scorecard
Federal site with data on costs, graduation rates, average earnings, debt, and financial aid.
https://collegescorecard.ed.gov

Net Price Calculator Center
Helps families find college-specific net price calculators to estimate actual cost after aid.
https://collegecost.ed.gov/net-price

Admissions & Application Research
Common App College Search
Good for finding application requirements, deadlines, essay requirements, and participating colleges.
https://www.commonapp.org/explore

Test Optional Colleges
A list of colleges that do not require standardized tests for admission.
http://www.fairtest.org/university/optional

Fit, Reviews & Campus Life
Unigo
Student reviews and perspectives on campus culture, academics, and social life.
https://www.unigo.com

CampusReel
Student-made campus video tours and real student perspectives.
https://www.campusreel.org

College Tour TV
Narrated campus tours with student interviews.
https://www.thecollegetour.com/

YouVisit / EAB Virtual Tours
Virtual college tours for many campuses.
https://www.youvisit.com/collegesearch

Major & Career Research
Occupational Outlook Handbook
Excellent for connecting majors to careers, salaries, job outlook, and education requirements.
https://www.bls.gov/ooh

My Next Move
Career exploration site connected to interests, skills, and job options.
https://www.mynextmove.org

College Spotlight
Muhlenberg College
Private College
Allentown, Pennsylvania
www.muhlenberg.edu

• Undergraduate student enrollment: 1,737
• College location: Suburban. Muhlenberg is in a small city in a suburban setting and is primarily a residential campus. Allentown is the third largest city in Pennsylvania
• Name & distance from nearest airport: Local airport LVIA is 10 miles from campus. Philadelphia Airport – 60 miles and Newark Airport – 70 miles. Shuttle service available.
• Average accepted GPA & test scores: GPA 3.50 unweighted, SAT 1250-1410. ACT 29-33. Muhlenberg College test optional since 1996.
• Acceptance rate: 72%
• Application deadlines: Early Decision I – November 15, Early Action - December 1, Early Decision II – February 16. Regular Decision – February 16. FREE to apply.
• Merit scholarships/Need-based financial aid: Merit scholarships range in amount from $30,000 to $46,000, talent scholarships* range from $1,000-$2,000, and honors program scholarships are $5,000. All are renewable for four years at Muhlenberg, based on academic performance and good campus standing. All students who submit a complete application for admission are considered for merit scholarships and for an honors program (*talent scholarships require separate application). Need-based aid is available to those who are eligible upon completion of the FAFSA and the CSS Profile. 99% of first year students receive financial aid. Muhlenberg offers an Early Scholarship and Aid Review estimate by filling out a form on the website. https://admissions.muhlenberg.edu/register/esar
• Most popular, new or unique majors: New major – Sustainability studies. Unique majors – Documentary Storymaking, and 4+1 Applied Analytics/4+1 Master of Arts in Teaching/4+1 Master’s of Business Administration. Outstanding programs in Theatre Arts, (Annually ranked a Best College Theater), Dance, Studio Arts, Business, Finance, Accounting, Media and Communications, Film Studies, Psychology, Public Health, and Health Sciences. Shankweiler Scholars is the Pre-Medicine Honors Program. Exceptional Advising and Pre-Medical Career Preparation. Many Academic Partnerships & Pre-professional programs for Medicine, Dental, Optometry, Nursing, Public Health, Law, Finance, Management, Engineering and Music.
• Student Life: NCAA Division III Athletics, 21 teams including football. Newest team- women’s varsity wrestling. 30% of students are varsity athletes. Greek Life, Intramural and club sports (including men’s ice hockey, women’s rugby, and ultimate Frisbee). Strong community service and over 118 clubs and organizations. More than 50% of students study abroad. Students can choose from 130+ programs in 60+ countries. Muhlenberg College encourages students in all science, social science, arts and humanities majors to study overseas. Muhlenberg supports discipline-specific study abroad opportunities. The London Theatre Program at the University of London and the Accademia dell’Arte in Italy for Theatre, Music and Dance Majors. There are programs for Accounting, Business and Economics majors at the University of Maastricht in the Netherlands or a Semester in Washington D.C. A program for Media & Communication & Film Studies majors at Dublin City University, Ireland. Is also available.
• Total Cost of Attendance 2026-2027: $88,696
• What is unique or makes your school stand out? Muhlenberg College is an independent liberal arts institution located in Allentown, Pennsylvania, about fifty-five miles north of Philadelphia. Muhlenberg is dedicated to shaping creative, compassionate, collaborative citizens through rigorous academic programs in the arts, humanities, natural sciences and social sciences, as well as select preprofessional programs. Muhlenberg is unique among private colleges in offering programs in professional areas such as business, education, public health, media & communication and neuroscience in addition to the traditional liberal arts majors. The Muhlenberg curriculum provides opportunities for students in all programs to participate in research, community engagement, internships and study abroad options that provide critical experiences for students in today’s rapidly changing world. The outstanding quality of the Muhlenberg academic program has been recognized by Phi Beta Kappa and some 15 additional national honorary societies with established chapters at the College. The College recently began offering graduate degrees in applied analytics and organizational leadership. Our newest building on campus, the Fahy Commons, is one of the most sustainable buildings in higher education (even made with a rainwater recycling system and bird safe glass); over the past five years, 92 percent of all graduates who applied to medical and dental school were admitted; and we were named as an American Talent Initiative "High-Flier", a group of 28 high-graduation-rate institutions nationwide named as leaders in college access and success for lower-income students.

Major Snapshot
Major in Unmanned Aerial Vehicles or Drone Technology

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV), also known as ‘Drones,’ have made their way into product delivery, surveillance, aerial photography and videography, agriculture, drone racing, geographical explorations, wildfire mapping, and more. Today, they remain one of the most exciting and emerging areas in modern tech.

The Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) estimates that the Unmanned Aircraft Systems industry will generate more than 100,000 new job opportunities by the year 2025. The increase in production of unmanned systems will create additional revenue totaling more than $82 billion in economic impact from 2015-2025.

Considering the ever-increasing demand for professionals in this field, colleges across the United States are now offering educational programs ranging from associates to full-fledged doctoral degrees. A formal education program in unmanned aerial systems can help you achieve high-paying roles like UAV pilots, design and operations of unmanned systems, military drone pilots, and research.

Some colleges with a major in Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and Drone Technology:
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University – Florida
Florida State University
Idaho State University
Indiana State University
Kansas State University
Liberty University
Middle Tennessee State University
New England Institute of Technology
North Carolina State University
University of Maine
University of North Dakota

What are Institutional Priorities in College Admissions?

Institutional priorities refer to the specific goals and needs that a college or university aims to fulfill through its admissions process. These priorities can vary widely between institutions. They may change from year to year. They are shaped by the institution’s mission, values, strategic plans, and current plans.

Common institutional priorities include:
• Academic Strengths - Some colleges recruit students with strong backgrounds in certain programs, such as STEM excellence or the humanities.
• Athletics - Recruiting athletes for specific sports teams are a priority for some institutions.
• Legacy Admissions - Preference may be given to applicants who are children of alumni.
• First-Generation Students - Colleges often aim to support students who are the first in their families to attend college.
• Special Talents - Students with unique talents in arts, music, or other areas may be given priority.
• Public service and Civic Engagement – Students who have demonstrated a commitment to school/community service and leadership.
• Financial Needs - Some institutions have a focus on enrolling students who require significant financial aid or those who can pay full tuition.

Students should thoroughly research each college to understand their priorities. Look for information on the college’s website, attend information sessions, visit the college, and meet admissions counselors. Your application and essays can focus on your fit with the college.