In the following list of the 20 Best Deals on Small Colleges for STEM, we selected small colleges with a lower net price than similar institutions of this size and academic focus. We awarded points based on the presence of a wide range of:
- science degrees
- technology degrees
- engineering degrees
- math degrees
- advanced laboratory facilities
- STEM-related internships
- scholarship options
- any additional special features that add value for a student beginning their STEM field career
The top 20 colleges for STEM profiled below scored the highest among institutions with a maximum enrollment of 6,000 students and a net price (per College Navigator) of $32,000 USD or less. The following will serve as a guide to the best colleges for STEM from a dollar value point of view.
Ranking the Top Small Science Colleges
#20 – Westminster College
New Wilmington, Pennsylvania
Points: 11
Enrollment: 1,307
Net Price: $21,635
Just north of Pittsburgh, Westminster College is a small academic community with diverse options for students interested in studying at one of the best STEM colleges. One of its newest majors is engineering physics, where one acquires a well-rounded education in:
- contemporary physics
- mathematics
- computer science
- chemistry
Westminster encourages STEM majors to continue their liberal arts studies for good balance in the future workplace. 98% of students receive financial aid, either through merit-based scholarships or other need-based assistance.
#19 – York College
York, Pennsylvania
Points: 11
Enrollment: $5,067
Net Price: $21,120
York College of Pennsylvania is a small suburban college with several academic departments related to STEM study. Some of these departments include:
- biological sciences
- engineering
- computer science
- nursing
- physical sciences
In addition, York sponsors a number of special interest students groups including Biology Club and Chemistry Society for added science exploration. One of York College’s best offerings is its Center for Professional Excellence. Here, students have access to seminars and other resources for learning how to incorporate professionalism into a career. With an average class size of only 19, this institution provides a personalized, balanced education.
#18 – Christopher Newport University
Newport News, Virginia
Points: 11
Enrollment: 5,221
Net Price: $20,996
Christopher Newport University is in suburban Virginia. The liberal arts college has many opportunities for beginning a STEM career. The Computational and Applied Mathematics program combines a math core curriculum with other scientific courses of study. The 156,000 square-foot science building is an advanced facility for research in:
- behavioral science
- chemistry
- environmental science
- biology
CNU offers valuable work experience at institutions including:
- the Jefferson Lab
- Langley Air Force
- NASA Langley Research Center.
#17 – Berea College
Berea, Kentucky
Points: 11
Enrollment: 1,621
Net Price: $1,990
Berea College has STEM degree opportunities in focus areas including:
- technology and applied design
- mathematics
- computer science
- physics
- engineering, and more
Berea is distinct in that it is a “work-college.” In this tuition model students work a minimum of service hours in exchange for a degree at no cost. One of the school’s newest majors is in its chemistry department. Graduates are prepared to advance in fields including:
- chemical industrial research
- medicine
- biology
The courses taken in the chemistry department also serve as prerequisites for individuals pursuing a nursing career.
#16 – Stevens Institute of Technology
Hoboken, New Jersey
Points: 12
Enrollment: 6,125
Net Price: $31,492
Stevens Institute of Technology is a research university. It’s one of the oldest technological universities in the nation. It’s also the first college in the U.S. dedicated entirely to mechanical engineering. The College’s three “centers of excellence” have top-notch laboratory and research facilities for a wide range of STEM-related disciplines. Some of these disciplines include:
- energy and environment
- systems and security
- nanotechnology
- biomedicine
For more advanced educational opportunities, Stevens also partners with:
- government
- industry
- universities worldwide
The institution reports a 95% employment rate within six months of graduation.
#15 – Wofford College
Spartanburg, South Carolina
Points: 12
Enrollment: 1,658
Net Price: $24,731
Wofford College is located in a dynamic community surrounded by six other higher education institutions. One of the College’s many STEM-related offerings is the physics department. Here, students navigate a rigorous and diverse science curriculum. This curriculum prepares them for careers in:
- physics
- engineering
- technology
Wofford has international study opportunities in more than 70 countries. It was recently ranked fourth in the nation for percentage of students studying abroad.
#14 – Rockford University
Rockford, Illinois
Points: 12
Enrollment: 1,277
Net Price: $20,861
Rockford University has a small enrollment in a rural setting. It’s a strong option for STEM students seeking a rigorous and diverse curriculum. The College of Science, Math, and Nursing includes concentrations in:
- math
- computer science
- physics
- nursing
- psychology
One of Rockford’s best campus resources is the Starr Science Center. It has advanced computer lab facilities and other educational tools. Rockford awards more than $9 million in:
- grants
- scholarships
- other financial aid.
#13 – Colorado School of Mines
Golden, Colorado
Points: 15
Enrollment: 5,962
Net Price: $25,138
The Colorado School of Mines is at the base of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains. It’s an exciting option for students seeking a STEM degree. It offers the state-of-the-art facilities comparable to those of larger institutions. The student enrollment allows for a more personalized education. Mines receives extensive research funding from public and private sources that support:
- alternative energy sources
- earth sciences
- environmental science
- engineering, and more
Mines offers research opportunities through strong partnerships with local laboratories, including:
- the National Renewable Energy Laboratory
- the Bureau of Reclamation
- the United States Geological Survey
This institution is home to the largest section of the Society of Women Engineers in the nation, now reaching nearly 400 members.
#12 – Williams College
Williams, Massachusetts
Points: 13
Enrollment: 2,126
Net Price: $20,315
Williams College in northwest Massachusetts includes a science division that will have much appeal to budding STEM professionals. In this division, one can excel in concentrations including:
- physics
- astronomy
- biology
- computer science
- chemistry, and more
Science majors make up more than a third of Williams’ students. 70-80 seniors per year engage in a year-long thesis in collaboration with faculty. Senior thesis projects often result in science journal publications and participation in professional conferences. Williams College is highly committed to creating financial aid opportunities for talented students of all needs.
#11 – George Fox University
Newberg, Oregon
Points: 13
Enrollment: 3,786
Net Price: $25,359
George Fox University is a Christian-based institution in suburban Portland. It’s consistently noted for its top-notch faculty and strong academic offerings. In STEM study, available majors include:
- applied science
- biochemistry
- biology
- chemistry
- computer science
- engineering
- mathematics, and more
According to Money magazine’s “Best Colleges for your Money” issue, George Fox has one of the top values among private universities in the Northwest. Merit scholarships ranging from $7,000 to $17,000 per year are awarded to incoming students with an impressive academic standing, .
#10 – Davidson College
Davidson, North Carolina
Points: 13
Enrollment: 1,658
Net Price: $24,731
Davidson College was founded just north of Charlotte, North Carolina in 1837. The College has maintained a high academic standard. It counts 23 Rhode Scholars among its alumni. The academic dean of Davidson, Wendy Raymond, was recently appointed Chair of the National Science Foundation. She has committed much of her focus on creating STEM opportunities for underrepresented minority groups in the field. One STEM-related initiative at Davidson is called RISE (Research in Science Experience), a month-long research opportunity offered to select first-year students.
#9 – St. Lawrence University
Canton, New York
Points: 14
Enrollment: 2,419
Net Price: $30,938
St. Lawrence University is located in the beautiful Adirondack Mountains of New York State. It’s an excellent choice among the STEM colleges with a smaller student body. Among this institution’s most popular degree programs are:
- biology
- mathematics
- engineering
- statistics
- nursing
Engineering students may choose to take part in international research opportunities in:
- New Zealand
- Australia
- Trinidad
The Johnson Hall of Science is a STEM academic center built with environmentally conscious materials. SLU reports 96.5% of its students are employed or enrolled in professional schools within one year of graduation.
#8 – Albertus Magnus College
New Haven, Connecticut
Points: 14
Enrollment: 1,933
Net Price: $22,171
Albertus Magnus College is receiving increased recognition for its STEM-related academic offerings. The College’s Bachelor of Science in Chemistry prepares students for diverse career options such as:
- medicine
- dentistry
- veterinary science
- chemistry education
Albertus offers financial support to incoming science majors through the S.T.E.M. Award. It provides $7,500 tuition reduction. It’s renewable annually given strong academic standing. Albertus Magnus also sponsors student organizations including Science Club. Here, members aim to generate a wider interest in science through special activities and initiatives.
#7 – Millikin University
Decatur, Illinois
Points: 14
Enrollment: 2,190
Net Price: $19,208
Millikin University is a close-knit liberal arts college. Its goal is to help students become well-rounded critical thinkers. In the College of Arts and Sciences, STEM academics are found in the departments of:
- biology
- chemistry
- clinical nuclear science
- mathematics
- physics
State-of-the-art facilities, including the 83,000 square-foot Leighty-Tabor Science Center, provide:
- advanced research laboratories
- an observatory
- a greenhouse
For extracurricular STEM activity, Millikin sponsors school groups including:
- the Society of Physics Students
- Math Club
- American Chemical Society.
#6 – Tuskegee University
Tuskegee, Alabama
Points: 15
Enrollment: 3,103
Net Price: $28,414
Tuskegee University is a historically black university located just west of Montgomery, Alabama. It was founded by African-American author and educator Booker T. Washington. It was the academic home of scientist George Washington Carver. Tuskegee has several academic programs for STEM students, including:
- agriculture
- environment
- engineering
- veterinary medicine
- nursing, and more
This institution holds the distinction of being the nation’s number one producer of African-American aerospace science engineers. It’s one of only two centers funded by NASA to develop technology for food growth in space during space missions. Tuskegee has a range of STEM-related scholarships available to qualifying students.
#5 – Albion College
Albion, Michigan
Points: 15
Enrollment: 1,268
Net Price: $24,906
Albion College in South Central Michigan is a higher education community with state-of-the-art facilities. It has numerous STEM-related degree opportunities and a small student body. The College’s Science Complex has four academic buildings that house the departments of:
- biology
- geology
- chemistry
- physics
- mathematics
- computer science
This complex offers research space and laboratories for the best possible education in this field. Albion has study-abroad partnerships in:
- biology
- chemistry
- health science
- mathematics
These partnerships are with colleges all over the world. One of this institution’s goals is affordability. It awards more than $24 million in scholarships and grants in the past academic year alone.
#4 – Colby College
Waterville, Maine
Points: 15
Enrollment: 1,847
Net Price: $18,477
Colby College is one of the most selective institutions in higher education. Among its 54 majors and 30 minors is a comprehensive range of STEM-related degree opportunities. Some of these degrees include:
- biology
- chemistry
- mathematics
- computer science
- physics
- technology
Additionally, Colby participates in engineering dual-degree programs with top STEM colleges including:
- Columbia University’s School of Engineering and Applied Science
- Thayer School of Engineering at Dartmouth College
Colby College offers science-based scholarships including SMART (Science, Mathematics and Research for Transformation). This program is in partnership with the Department of Defense laboratories.
#3 – Aquinas College
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Points: 15
Enrollment: 1,933
Net Price: $18,358
Aquinas College is a diverse liberal arts college rooted in Catholic Dominican tradition. This institution was recently recognized for its affordability by U.S. News and World Report, adding it to its “Great Schools, Great Prices” list. For aspiring STEM professionals, Aquinas has degree programs in:
- chemistry
- mathematics
- pre-med
- nursing
- biology
- physics, and more
The Albertus Magnus Hall of Science features:
- high-end science labs
- a greenhouse
- a scaled model of the solar system called Foster Planet Walk
Aquinas has scholarship opportunities for students in life sciences, and for women who are excelling in STEM academics.
#2 – Clarkson University
Potsdam, NY
Points: 16
Enrollment: 1,376
Net Price: $28,303
Clarkson University in upstate New York is one of the most well-respected educational institutions in the nation. STEM programs occupy a large portion of the college’s 50+ academic programs. Some of these STEM programs include:
- biotechnology
- environment and energy
- advanced materials science
One of the school’s most innovative engineering opportunities is SPEED (Student Projects for Engineering Experience and Design). In SPEED, student teams from 15 different majors collaborate on specialized projects. For extracurricular STEM-related involvement, Clarkson supports professional organizations such as:
- the American Indian Science & Engineering Society
- American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics
- Society of Women Engineers, among others.
#1 – New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology
Socorro, New Mexico
Points: 17
Enrollment: 2,127
Net Price: $11,789
New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology tops this ranking of best STEM colleges. It offers bachelor of science degrees in:
- technology
- engineering
- technical communication
- the sciences
Newsweek ranked this college, also known as New Mexico Tech, among the best small science and engineering schools in North America. This institution is well known for its impressive list of research partnerships, some of which include:
- the New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources
- the National Radio Astronomy Observatory
- the Petroleum Recovery Research Center
These centers often employ students and give them the opportunity contribute to groundbreaking research.
By Tracy Eisenberg
January 2016
Other articles of interest:
- 50 Best Deals on Competitive Small Colleges
- Top 50 Great Deals on Bachelor’s Degrees Online
- Top 20 Deals on Small Colleges in Texas
- Top 50 Best Colleges in Texas
- 20 Best Deals on Colleges that Don’t Require SAT
- 20 Best Deals: Small Colleges for Athletic Types
- 20 Highest Paying Bachelor Degrees
The preceding is a ranked list of the 20 Best Deals on Small Colleges for STEM fields.