GUIDE TO NEW ENGLAND COLLEGES& UNIVERSITIES From the publishers of Boston magazine 2015 in association with the New England Board of Higher Education. TABLE OF CONTENTS 2. COLLEGE IS STILL WORTH IT 4. COLLEGE GUIDE FOR PARENTS FINANCIAL AID HELPS OFFSET 18. YOUR COLLEGE COSTS 20. OUT-OF-STATE TUITION BREAK 22. SCHOOL PROFILES 24. SCHOOL LISTINGS 43. INDEX 2015 Guide to New England Colleges and Universities is published by Boston magazine in association with the New England Board of Higher Education. All contents are copyright 2014 by Boston magazine. For information, contact Boston magazine at 617.262.9700 or 300 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston, MA 02115. BOSTONMAGAZINE.COM 1 COLLEGE IS STILL WORTH IT STUDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES INCREASINGLY ASK WHETHER COLLEGE IS “WORTH IT” AND CAN THEY AFFORD IT. THE ANSWER COMES IN THE FORM OF COUN- stepped on campus. University research colleges and universities in the other New TER QUESTIONS: Can they affff ord not to labs spin offff into new companies and in- England states when they pursue special- pursue a college education? What would dustries. Vibrant campuses energize towns ized majors. the impact be if they don’t get a college de- and cities with innovation. gree? Some students and families look to More than 9,500 students take advantage “return on investment.” And indeed, me- New England colleges and universities of this program every year, accessing over dian annual earnings for full-time work- serve more than 1.2 million students annu- 750 unique and cutting-edge academic de- ing college-degree holders ages 25 to 32 are ally from around the globe, sending them gree programs and saving $7,000, on aver- $17,500 greater than for those with high forth as teachers, skilled medical techni- age, each year on their tuition bills. school diplomas only—and the gap has cians, entrepreneurs, engineers, poets, and been widening. future Nobel laureates. Th ey are a second Since it was established in 1957, Tuition “home” to more than 60,000 foreign stu- Break has provided New England students But the return to both graduates and dents. Additionally, many other students, and families with over $1 billion in sav- college communities is much greater than from every corner of the world, access ings. And the six states have saved untold dollars and cents—such as the ability to courses and degree programs 24/7 from millions of dollars by avoiding duplication think critically and creatively, the acquisi- New England’s colleges via online learning of programs already available in other New tion of new and stronger skills, a deeper opportunities. England states. Learn more about the pro- understanding and knowledge of our gram in this guide or visit our website at complicated world, and the likelihood of a The New England Board of Higher Edu- nebhe.org/tuitionbreak. better quality of life. cation (NEBHE) works to foster inno- vation and collaboration in the region. NEBHE thanks Boston magazine for the Here in New England, world-class educa- Created in 1955, NEBHE’s mission is to opportunity to work together to produce tion in fi elds ranging from art history to expand, through interstate cooperation, the 2015 Guide. It will be a valuable resource zoology is offff ered by the region’s 250-plus the education opportunities and ser- in connecting you with the region’s wide campuses—public and private, two-year vices available to the region’s residents, array of colleges, opening doors for con- and four-year, religious and secular, pro- with a focus on college affordability, tinued learning, degree attainment, career fessional and liberal arts. access, and success. advancement, and intellectual enrichment. Th e region’s colleges and universities also For example, NEBHE’s “Tuition Break” prepare students for occupations that may program provides a discount on the out- Michael K. Thomas is president and CEO of the New England Board of Higher Education and publisher of The New England not have existed when those students first of-state tuition students pay at public Journal of Higher Education. Email: [email protected]. 2 GUIDE TO NEW ENGLAND COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES | 2015 COLLEGE GUIDE FOR PARENTS WHETHER YOUR CHILD IS IN HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE IS IMMINENT, OR YEARS AWAY, THERE IS INFORMATION HERE WHICH CAN HELP YOU—AND YOUR STUDENT—GET THROUGH THE STRESSFUL COLLEGE APPLICATION PERIOD, AND THE ENTIRE COLLEGE EXPERIENCE, WITH MORE EMOTIONAL AND FINANCIAL SECURITY. STAYING SOLVENT LET’S START WITH THE Keep in mind that tuition increases approximately five per- FINANCIAL SIDE, WHICH, cent annually, according to the College Board, so that the ALL BY ITSELF, ISN’T AN EASY SUBJECT TO TACKLE. So here is the projected tuition and fees over four years of study will be: skinny on real college costs, because tuition isn’t the only one. There are fees, which range from library use and athletics to ID cards. Then there are housing and meals, and books and supplies. THE DETAILS # -&' THE COLLEGE BOARD REPORTS THE AVERAGE COSTS FOR THE 2013-2014 SCHOOL YEAR WERE: PRIVATE COLLEGE $129,700 $312,200 J %)!$)&-&$!!()($##'L$&'(( PUBLIC UNIVERSITY $38,300 $92,200 &'#(' $&$)($'((&'#(' #'((&'#( J %&*($)&-&$!!()($##'L TWO-YEARS OF $ 74,700 $179,800 J &$$"#$&L&#&$" ($)&-&%)! COMMUNITY COLLEGE $!!'($ (%&*($!!' AND TWO YEARS OF J $$ '#')%%!'L (%)!$!!'# ( PRIVATE COLLEGE %&*($!!' 4 GUIDE TO NEW ENGLAND COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES | 2015 COLLEGE GUIDE FOR PARENTS DON’T PANIC! FOR STUDENTS CHECK OUT THESE WEBSITES. You’ ll find AS ARTHUR DENT IN THE HITCHHIKERS GUIDE TO THE GALAXY SAYS, DON’T PANIC. online help with your journey, from There are financial aid packages available to virtually all institutions: some learning how to write essays, finding based on need (federal, state, or school grants; federal loans; work study), career ideas, visiting schools, preparing some on merit (determined by high school performance, test scores, or for tests, and more. talent) and some for athletics. CAPPEX.COM 'AB12;A?2C62D@.;1A<<9@A<0<:=.?20<99242@ THERE ARE FOUR FORMS YOU MAY NEED TO FILE FOR FINANCIAL AID: COLLEGEBOARD.ORG ?2@<B?02A<.==9F.;1=?2=.?23<?0<99242 J '?22==960.A6<;3<?212?.9 J ;16C61B.90<992423<?:@L'<:20<99242@?2>B6?2 COLLEGEPROWLER.COM 'AB12;A61L&2>B6?21/F.99 F<BA<0<:=92A2.36;.;06.9.613<?:B;6>B2 6?@A=2?@<;?2C62D@3?<:@AB12;A@ 0<99242@A<?2026C23212?.9.;1 A<A520<99242 PRINCETONREVIEW.COM (BA<?6;4.;1 <A52?.61.3@. 21 4<C A2@A=?2=3<?@A.;1.?16G21A2@A@ J "".@@.05B@[email protected]<;.96;.;06;4 WISECHOICE.COM ".A056;4@AB12;A@ J '' 6;.;06.961%&$!L BA5<?6AF".@@.05B@2AA@?2@612;A@0.;.==9F 6;A2?2@A@D6A50<99242<332?6;4@ &2>B6?21/F:.;F=?6C.A20<99242@ 3<?9<.;@.@0</<??<D2?@D6A5A52@AB12;A3<?.; ZINCH.COM '05<9.?@56=.;10<99242 0<99242/<.?1 <?4 B;12?4?.1B.A2<?@AB12;A1232??219<.; @2.?056;3<?:.A6<; 6 GUIDE TO NEW ENGLAND COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES | 2015 COLLEGE GUIDE FOR PARENTS SAVING YOUR FUTURE YOU WON’T END UP IN DEBTOR’S PRISON—especially if you still have time to start saving with MEFA— the Massachusetts 529 college savings plan, which combines significant tax advantages and age-based savings strategies. MEFA BENEFITS J ")%9.;@=?<0221@4<A< =B/960.;1=?6C.A2".@@ /.@210<99242@.;1B;6C2?@6A62@ -<B42AF<B?6;C2@A:2;A /.08=9B@6;A2?2@A63F<B?@AB12;A1<2@;A4<A<<;2<3A52 =.?A606=.A6;40<99242@ J ")B;192A@3.:6962@6;C2@A6;=<?A3<96<@<3:BAB.9 3B;1@.;10<C2?@AB6A6<;322@?<<:/<.?1/<<8@.;1 @B==962@ A0.;/[email protected].;F.00?216A210<99242<? B;6C2?@6AF;.A6<;D6123<?B;12?4?.1B.A2<? 4?.1B.A221B0.A6<; It’s probably preaching to the choir to say that financ- ing a college education is substantially less expensive if you pay with savings instead of loans, which must be repaid. MEFA shows that by saving $6,960, and earning $3,040 in interest, your actual expenditure in paying off $10,000 in college costs is only $6,960. By taking out a $10,000 loan, to continue the example, the interest accrued is $3,920, so the cost will actually be $13,920. Learn more at mefa.org. USING YOUR HIGH SCHOOL THE CHANCES ARE YOUR STUDENT’S HIGH SCHOOL HAS NOT ONLY COLLEGE INFO SESSIONS FOR STUDENTS, BUT ALSO SEPARATE SEMINARS FOR PARENTS. Bob Hall, Guidance Team Leader at Colchester High School in Vermont says, “We hold three parent nights in the spring for juniors, a senior night in the fall, and a financial night for all parents in the fall. For freshman and sophomore parents we have one night, as well.” “Dual Enrollment—taking college courses in high school—is often recommended for students. Not specifically to save money although the courses are free, but it is an opportunity for students to explore what they’re really interested in and stick their toe in the college water and get a sense of their readiness,” Hall explains. 8 GUIDE TO NEW ENGLAND COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES | 2015 COLLEGE GUIDE FOR PARENTS TWO-YEAR OR FOUR-YEAR? GAP YEAR? ARE FOUR YEARS YES, IT WILL COST LESS FOR YOUR STUDENT TO START HIS COLLEGE CAREER AT A TWO-YEAR REALLY FOUR YEARS? COMMUNITY COLLEGE and then transfer to a four-year institution, if that’s what she wants, or what her grades dictate for admission, or he just needs some time to live at home and Taking a gap year continues to mature. There are many reasons why this can be a viable, even a good option.