College Raptor's Hidden Gems 2023

The best treasures are worth looking for and may even be hidden right beneath your nose. That’s true for colleges as well. With our 2023 Hidden Gem Colleges, we highlight colleges and universities that students may not have heard of before. These are all amazing schools and are worth exploring for academic, financial, and social …

It’s no secret that college can be expensive. But that doesn’t mean “not affordable.” This year, College Raptor wanted to highlight some hidden gem colleges that are most affordable for the middle class. We rank the most affordable colleges based on the estimated net price at each institution for a “typical” middle-class family. We defined …

STEM fields are the fastest-growing career market out there and, because of that, there are many organizations, programs, and schools dedicated to encouraging young people to pursue science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) majors.  STEM education helps individuals become more innovative, creative, and divergent thinking. The classes focus on hands-on learning where mistakes are not …

The United States is a melting pot of different cultures and religions, and for many, religion is an important part of their life. Hundreds of universities and colleges across the United States were founded with religious affiliation, and many have held onto those roots. They have the ethics and belief system of their religion built …

There are many well-known, household name colleges in New England. They are titans of higher education known the world over for their academics and reputation. However, there are just as many excellent colleges in the New England area that don’t receive as much attention as they deserve. That’s why we wanted to cast the spotlight …

America’s heartland is vast, fertile, and filled with various industries. Additionally, it’s home to a bunch of amazing colleges. While some colleges are certainly household names, some aren’t quite as well known – though they should be! We wanted to feature some of the best colleges in the Plains region, otherwise commonly known as the …

If you are a student looking to go to a college far, far away from home this Top Geographically Diverse College Hidden Gems rankings list is for you. This list is based on colleges and universities with a higher level of geographical diversity. That means these hidden gems have students who come from a wider …

The Great Lakes are so impressive that they get a section of the US named after them. While the area is clearly well-known for the waters, some of the attention should be on the small but mighty Great Lakes colleges within the area. To qualify as a Hidden Gem, a school must meet the following …

Also known as the Mid-Atlantic region, this section of the East Coast has a host of incredible colleges — both known and relatively unknown. However, these lesser-known schools can be real diamonds in the rough. They provide ideal opportunities just waiting for you to learn about all they have to offer. To qualify as a …

The Rocky Mountain Range spans over 3,000 miles from New Mexico to northern British Columbia in Canada. There are a lot of colleges in the Rocky Mountain area that are as mighty as the peaks themselves. However, some of those colleges aren’t household names yet. We wanted to highlight some amazing colleges in the Rockies. …

What do you think about when you hear “the Southeast?” Many think about southern hospitality, comfort food, warm weather, and history. You should add amazing colleges to that list. While there are powerhouse colleges in the Southeast, there are also a bunch of great schools that fly under the radar. That’s why we wanted to …

Vast deserts, sprawling cities, deep canyons, and rugged mountains, all make up the landscape of the Southwest region. Many of the colleges in the area are as excellent as the geography is dynamic. We wanted to highlight some of the lesser-known Southwest colleges that deserve attention. To qualify as a Hidden Gem, a school must …

From sunny beaches to snowy mountains to rainy coasts, there is perhaps no region in the US more diverse than the Far West. In addition to a variety of landscapes, the Far West is home to a variety of schools. With all there is to see, you don’t want to miss out on these incredible …