Cool schools - Selecting a School

Some colleges get a lot of press while other quality schools fly under the radar. CAREERS & COLLEGES 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, supplies, and estimated personal expenses. Room and board (R&B) is listed separately. Size refers to number of undergraduates.

1. Alice Lloyd College, Pippa Passes, KY

WWW.ALC.EDU

COST: $2,190

OUT-OF-TERRITORY: $5,990

R&B: $2,680

SIZE: 557

At Alice Lloyd, students admitted from 100 central Appalachian counties in Kentucky, West Virginia, Virginia, Tennessee, and Ohio do not have to pay tuition; and those eligible for the Pell Grant don't pay for room and board, either. But college here is not a "free ride." Besides keeping up with studies in business, education, and social sciences, students are required to work 10 hours a week at jobs ranging from grounds maintenance to cafeteria duty. This small, Christian college expects students to give back to the Appalachian community as well--e.g., students in the school's Circle K Club assist needy families in the surrounding area.

2. Antioch College, Yellow Springs, OH

WWW.ANTIOCH-COLLEGE.EDU

COST: $22,542

R&B: $5,132

SIZE: 656

To give students a real-world perspective, Antioch stresses its co-op internship program, offering four months of work with class time. Co-op students have assisted at a pottery business in Mexico, served soup to the homeless, and worked in a Fortune 500 company in New York City. Antioch has a reputation for attracting socially active students--vegetarians, feminists, environmentalists, and peace protesters. Professors hand out practical narrative evaluations instead of grades. When students stress out, the 1,000-acre nature preserve provides relief.

3. Ball State University Muncie, IN

WWW.BSU.EDU

IN-STATE COST: $6,920

OUT-OF-STATE: $13,380

R&B: $4,790

SIZE: 16,284

David Letterman's alma mater is no joke--the school places heavy emphasis on research, and majors range from genetic biology and nuclear medical engineering to home economics and jewelry design. When it comes to sports, the school offers everything from badminton to rugby, and a new sports psychology center will help "mentally condition" athletes. Star-gazers can enjoy the on-campus planetarium, and more earthly diversions are provided by the fraternities and sororities.

4. Bowdoin College

Brunswick, ME

WWW.BOWDOIN.EDU

COST: $29,250

R&B: $7,000

SIZE: 1,600

Bowdoin is a sticker-shock school with a total cost above $36,000, but to give some perspective, the average need-based aid package is $22,400. The science programs are highly rated, especially in chemistry, biology, and environmental science. The median class size is 16 and the faculty is accessible. Living in the Pine Tree state, students unwind with hiking, camping, and other outdoor activities. If the lobster bake is any indication, the food is pretty palatable.

5. California Institute of Technology Pasadena, CA

WWW.CALTECH.EDU

COST: $23,817

R&B: $6,543

SIZE: 929

Located just outside Los Angeles, this small school emphasizes engineering and the sciences. In fact, Caltech manages the jet propulsion laboratory for NASA. Many students balance a heavy academic load with activities (Cheerleading Squad, Folk Music Society, Muslim Students Association, various sporting clubs, among others.) The school is famous for Ditch Day--students skip classes to pull pranks (OK-some students end up duct-taped to trees). Caltech has a strong commitment to providing need-based and non need-based financial aid.

6. California State University, Monterey Bay, Seaside, CA

WWW.CSUMB.EDU

IN-STATE COST: $1,855

OUT-OF-STATE: $8,383

R&B: $5,220

Multiculturalism is a driving force at CSUMB, from its diverse student body to its foreign language requirement. The school does not offer traditional majors but more comprehensive areas of study. One doesn't study biology but enrolls as an Earth Systems Science & Policy major, learning a broad scope of science and policy formation. Clubs include the American Sign Language Club, Monterey Bay for a Sustainable Environment, and the "Wet & Soggies" Dive Club.

SIZE: 3,400

7. Colby College

Waterville, ME

WWW.COLBY.EDU

COMPREHENSIVE COST: $37,220

SIZE: 1,814

Colby may be high-priced, but offset by financial aid, its actual cost drops significantly. Colby is especially known for its science programs. Young astronomers research at the campus observatory; the geology department boasts a complete collection of geological maps; the greenhouse is home to more than 200 species of plants. Students often cut loose in the great outdoors, and 90 clubs support interests from the athletic to the political to the artistic.

8. College of St. Catherine

St. Paul, MN

WWW.STKATE.EDU

COST: $18,427