We’ve rounded up our favorite hidden gems (both public flagships and privates) for students with a "C" average looking for schools that offer up robust and prestigious academic programs:

University of New Hampshire

Named a “Best Value” college that emphasizes undergraduate teaching, the University of New Hampshire offers the spirit and resources of a public flagship university at a much more manageable size. Perched at the mouth of the Oyster River and into the Great Bay, the University’s location of Durham is touted as the ideal New England college town that features four seasons and abundant activities for the outdoor enthusiast. Additionally, nearly half of the student body is out-of-state students.

All UNH students must complete core curriculum requirements known as the Discovery Program. All first-year students are required to enroll in an Inquiry course that exposes them to experiential learning programs taught by pioneering faculty. UNH’s standout programs include majors in the College of Engineering (especially ocean engineering) and those in the Paul College of Business and Economics. Students drawn to politics and current events should be reminded that the state is home to the very first presidential primary of the election season, making the university a popular stop on campaign trails. 

Admit Rate: 84%

Oregon State University

Historically, Oregon State University was best known for its agricultural programs, but today’s Beavers are privy to a spirited campus with Division 1 Athletics and a university experience rich with co-op experiences and extensive opportunities in STEM and pre-professional programs. Students in the College of Business can select from among 14 majors, some of which include non-traditional options like Apparel Design, Design & Innovation Management, and Interior Design.

Opportunities for hands-on learning and career development aren’t limited to students in pre-professional programs, however. In fact, to make the best of Oregon State’s location in small-town Corvallis, which sits about 90 miles south of Portland, the university provides extensive co-op terms for students of any major. 

Admit Rate: 78%

University of Rhode Island 

A manageably-sized university representing the smallest state in the country, the University of Rhode Island is a college on a consistent rise. Located in the small but well-situated town of Kingston, the URI campus is just minutes from the beach and features easy access to Providence, Boston, and New York. Like many state-funded universities, URI gives preference to homegrown applicants, yet 52% of the undergraduate population hail from out of state. 

All incoming students must enroll in URI 101, a seminar-style course that assists with the transition to college-level work and ingrains students with fluency in all the support resources the university has to offer. URI features over 90 undergraduate degree programs, with particular strengths in Pharmacy, Engineering, Business, and Nursing. Unique interdisciplinary degrees include the Green Business Program, which allows students to engage with topics like socially responsible investing strategies, sustainable marketing, and conservation economics. 5-year dual-degree programs in International Computer Science and International Engineering allow for interested students to earn a B.S. in their STEM field in addition to a B.A. in a foreign language of their choosing. International internships and study abroad opportunities are built into these programs. 

Admit Rate: 75%

Quinnipiac University 

A cluster of campuses with hills of Sleeping Giant State Park as their backdrop, Quinnipiac University in Hamden, Connecticut is growing both in size and in national reputation. Now home to approximately 7,000 undergraduate students, this liberal arts college was initially founded as a business school in 1929. It’s no wonder the university offers excellent pre-professional programs with the School of Business attracting nearly a quarter of all undergraduates. Business-focused students can choose from over 14 majors including unique programs like Biomedical Marketing and Talent Management for Entertainment, eSports, and Sports. 

Admit Rate: 72%

Whittier College

Once best-known as the college that graduated Richard Nixon, Whitter College is now an ethnically and socioeconomically diverse liberal arts college that supports its students through creative academic design and a positive learning environment. A Hispanic-serving institution located only 18 miles from Downtown Los Angeles, Whittier College is a comfortable and tolerant environment for students of color, who comprise nearly 70% of the student body. 

The majority of Whittier students, known as Poets, after the college’s mascot Johnny the Poet, enroll in a traditional Liberal Arts Education Program and choose among the college’s 30 major programs. High-achieving students hoping to design their curricular pathways should consider applying to the Whittier Scholars Program. In this signature program, pursued by approximately 12% of all undergraduates, students work closely with faculty mentorship to design a unique and interdisciplinary curriculum. The program involves completing a long-term faculty-sponsored research project, and at least one off-campus learning experience, in addition to fulfilling additional graduation requirements.

Admit Rate: 72%

Goucher College 

Formerly a women’s college, Goucher College has been co-educational since 1986 and is heralded as the first college in the nation to make studying abroad a graduation requirement. As a result, Goucher provides a globally-minded academic experience in a traditional liberal arts setting. The Goucher Commons, the college’s core curriculum, requires undergraduates to demonstrate proficiency in writing and a foreign language while taking flexible courses to satisfy learning requirements. All juniors are required to study abroad, and all seniors must complete a portfolio or capstone project to graduate. 

Goucher students can pick among over 30 undergraduate degree programs, including preprofessional and STEM programs like Business Management, Engineering Science, Communication & Media Studies, and Biochemistry. Goucher is also home to 12 Academic Centers (think: departments) that encourage students to take interdisciplinary approaches to their college studies. 

Admit Rate: 79%

University of Mary Washington 

Formerly known as the women’s branch of the University of Virginia, the University of Mary Washington is now a public, coeducational liberal arts college in its own right. Named after George Washington’s mother, and located in his hometown (Fredericksburg, Virginia) the University of Mary Washington offers the support and personalized approach of a liberal arts college with the value of a public one. The campus is built in the Jeffersonian red-brick style that defines higher education in Virginia. The core curriculum requires students to enroll in a course focused on professional and career development called “Life after UMW.”  Completing senior year research or creative project is a graduation requirement, and students can expect faculty guidance and support throughout. 

Admit Rate: 75%

Western Washington University 

Situated 90 miles north of Seattle and 55 miles South of Vancouver, Western Washington University in Bellingham, holds the designation of the northernmost university in the contiguous United States. Serving less than 16,000 undergraduate students, academics at WWU is primarily focused on the undergraduate learning and research experience. 

With nearly 200 major pathways from which to choose, students should have no problem finding an appealing program or research institute. The University is divided into 7 academic colleges, including the Fairhaven College of Interdisciplinary Studies, the College of Performing Arts, the College of Business and Economics, and the College of Science and Engineering. Each college is home to a bevy of majors as well as Academic Programs, Institutes, and Centers (APICS). Car enthusiasts might consider the College of Science and Engineering, home to the Vehicle Research Institute, making it one of the foremost universities for education in car design. 

Admit Rate: 93%

Miami University-Oxford 

A public research university with the look and feel of a prestigious private university, Miami University is home to high-achieving students, a pristine campus, and a well-known business school. Committed to providing a liberal arts education since its founding in 1809, Miami University now offers a breadth of majors across multiple colleges, including the College of Creative Arts, the Farmer School of Business, and the Honors College.

Located in the small college town of Oxford, the Miami University campus is known for its beauty, and poet (and Harvard alumnus) Robert Frost once referred to it as “the most beautiful college campus that ever was.” The university also offers a lively social scene, including numerous Greek Chapters. In fact, Miami University is affectionately referred to as the “Mother of Fraternities” due to the number of founding fraternity chapters based out of the university.

Admit Rate: 89%

Stetson University 

The oldest private university in the state of Florida, Stetson University is now a friendly and supportive campus that boasts three undergraduate colleges: the School of Music, the School of Business Administration, and the College of Arts & Sciences. In fact, Stetson is responsible for many “firsts” in the state of Florida, including the first school of business, law, and music. The School of Music is undergraduate-only and has been celebrated as one of the best in the country. Regardless of major, all undergraduates must complete general education requirements in the liberal arts tradition, including a First Year Seminar that introduces freshmen to faculty mentors.  Unique academic offerings include a business major in Family Enterprise Management, a Bachelor of Music Combined with Business, and the student-designed Business Flex major.   

Admit Rate: 81%