college search

When To Remove A College From Your List

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on December 22, 2022

Finding the perfect college is no easy task. You want to make sure that the college you choose will help you meet your academic and career goals. With over 4,000 colleges and universities in the US, this can take some time. The first step is to create a manageable shortlist of the best-fit colleges for …

student life

What are the Graduating Latin Honors for College Students?

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on December 22, 2022

Graduating with Latin honors is an indication of academic achievement beyond completion of the basic requirements for earning a college degree. There are three levels of graduating honors – Cum laude, Magna cum laude, and Summa cum laude. Types of Graduating Latin Honors & Minimum Requirements for Each The exact requirements for each honor level …

college search

Strategies For Picking A College To Add To Your List

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on December 22, 2022

Picking a college to add to your list is no easy task. You go through the websites of colleges across the U.S. and they all seem like great options. How do you pick just a few from among these fantastic choices? And how many should you add to your list? These strategies will help to …

tips tools & advice

13 Distance Learning Resources That Will Make Online Education Easier

By Allison WignallLast updated on January 20, 2026

Responding to the pandemic has required creativity, flexibility, and patience. While many schools have switched to online distance learning, both teachers and students alike are still figuring out just how that works. Whether you’ve got your set up figured out or are still ironing out the kinks, these 13 distance learning resources can help you …

hidden gems 2021

Top 25 Best Hidden Gem Colleges with Alternate Tuition Plans | 2021 Rankings

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on December 22, 2022

There is a multitude of ways to pay for college—savings plans, scholarships, grants, work-study programs, loans, etc. But did you know there are alternate tuition plans too? Some colleges offer more than just the standard payment plan. In fact, there are three main alternates—Prepaid Tuition, Tuition Guarantee, and Tuition Payment. Not all colleges provide them, …

hidden gems 2021

Top 25 Best Hidden Gem Colleges with Tuition Under $25K | 2021 Rankings

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on December 22, 2022

The cost of college is a hot topic in the news, politics, and households around America—especially right now, during a pandemic and a shifting educational landscape. Many are searching for low tuition colleges. According to Educationaldata.org, in the 2019-2020 school year, a 4-year out of state college had an average tuition of $26,820. Private colleges, …

hidden gems 2021

Top 25 Best Urban Hidden Gem Colleges | 2021 Rankings

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on December 22, 2022

Cities are known for many great things—incredible architecture, art scenes, performances, industries, diverse populations, and amazing history. Many are also known for incredible urban colleges. But in the hustle and bustle of the city, some things can get glanced over instead of explored. That’s why we created this list highlighting some amazing urban colleges. To …

hidden gems 2021

The Top 25 Best Rural Hidden Gem Colleges | 2021 Rankings

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on December 22, 2022

If you prefer space and a more relaxed atmosphere to the hustle and bustle of a big city, a rural college might be ideal for you. Many of the best college towns are located in rural settings and many of them have a strong sense of community among their students. Additionally, given the current pandemic, …

hidden gems 2021

Hidden Gem Colleges in the Far West | 2021 Rankings

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on December 22, 2022

There is perhaps no region in the US more diverse than the Far West. There are snowy mountain ranges, rainy coasts, sunny beaches, tropical forests, broad deserts, and more. In addition to a variety of landscapes, the Far West is home to a variety of colleges. We wanted to highlight some of the small but …

hidden gems 2021

Hidden Gem Colleges in the Southwest | 2021 Rankings

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on December 22, 2022

Deserts, plateaus, sprawling cities, and canyons, mesas, and more make up the rugged Southwestern landscape. 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. For this list, we’re including the following states as part of the …