Located in the small town of Bennington, Vermont, this college boasts an extremely small undergraduate size, between 600 and 700 students. Bennington's strongest areas of study are the humanities and performing arts, particularly theater arts, dance and English. The college also offers programs in computer science, psychology and pre-law studies. Bennington has an opportunity called the "Field Work Term," which a Bennington alum describes in U.S. News & World Report as, "invaluable; every Bennington student completes a seven week internship for every year he is enrolled at the school. This internship usually relates to what the student is studying, but not always." According to Princeton Review's 2010 statistical rankings (based on student assessment), Bennington places fourth in the "Best College Theatre" category, as well as fourteenth in "Best Classroom Experience." Tuition cost averages in at about $32,700, with $8,320 room and board, as of 2010.
Alcorn State University is a small agricultural technical college in small town Alcorn State, Mississippi. The university's rural setting is advantageous for those studying agricultural studies and biology, allowing for hands-on experience on the school's nature-set campus; courses and research teams are often set outside, where students can study nature in action. The school's other common majors include education, liberal arts, and health sciences. Enrollment is under 3,000 students, with a 17-1 student-to-professor ratio. Out-of-state tuition averages at 11,900, with 4,800 room and board, as of 2010.
Located in the town of Williamsburg, Virginia, the College of William and Mary is primarily rooted in the arts and sciences, yet also provides programs in education, business, health sciences and pre-law. According to College Prowler, a source which gathers student and alumni assessments, William and Mary received an "A" grade in academic experience. William and Mary allows students to design their own majors. The undergraduate population averages to under 6,000 students. Out-of-state tuition costs approximately $30,964, with little over $8,300 room and board, as of 2010.
Located in small Middlebury, Vermont, this college's most popular programs include economics, English, and psychology. Middlebury College also boasts one of the best college abroad programs in the country, ranked sixth in Princeton Review's rankings. Princeton Review also ranks Middlebury third in "Best Professors," twelfth in "Best Career Services," and sixth in "Best Quality of Life." Undergraduate student enrollment includes approximately 2,500 students, with a 9-1 student-faculty ratio. As of 2010, tuition costs, including room and board, are approximately $52,500, yet with an average outstanding financial aid package of about $35,000 (based on need).