financial advice & planning

How Much Should You Save for College?

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on October 30, 2024

Key Takeaway: Wondering how much to save for college? To know where to start, it’s important to understand the typical costs of college and how inflation plays a part. This article outlines average tuition costs for the 2023-24 school year and discusses several savings vehicles—529 plans*, Coverdell ESAs, and traditional savings accounts. It will also …

Top 25 Best Colleges in the Great Lakes Region

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on August 5, 2024

Superior, Erie, Michigan, Huron, and Ontario make up the 5 Great Lakes that border the United States and Canada. While the region is well-known for its mighty bodies of water, the colleges in the area are equally impressive. The best colleges Great Lakes list encompass the states of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin. Top …

Top 25 Best Colleges in the Mid-East US

By College Raptor StaffPublished on August 5, 2024

From New York to DC, there are some of the country’s oldest and best schools in the mid-East. The area itself is known for its history, vibrant cities, cultural diversity, and educational and professional opportunities. The top 25 best colleges in the mid-East United States rankings include schools from New York, Delaware, DC, Maryland, New …

Top 25 Best Colleges in the Rocky Mountain Region

By College Raptor StaffPublished on August 5, 2024

Also known as the Rockies, the Rocky Mountain region of the United States is breathtaking – and plenty of outstanding colleges and universities call the mountains and the valleys home. For this 25 best colleges in the Rocky Mountains list, we’ve included: Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Utah, and Wyoming. Top 25 Best Colleges in the Rocky …

Top 25 Best Colleges in the Plains Region

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on August 5, 2024

America’s heartland has a lot to offer — beautiful scenery, booming industry, vast farmlands, and fantastic colleges. In fact, some of the very best colleges in the US are located in the plains region. For this list, we’re including the following states in the plains region: Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South …

Top 25 Best Colleges in the Southwest US

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on August 5, 2024

When you think of the southwest, you likely think of Westerns and deserts, and it’s true, there are deserts in the region. However, the region has so much to offer students and visitors. The southwest region of the United States is home to sweeping vistas, snow capped mountains, and stunning wildlife – and some of …

Top 25 Best Colleges in the Southeast US

By College Raptor StaffPublished on August 5, 2024

The Southeast is often what people think of when they say “The South.” Schools in these states are some of the oldest in the country, dating back to the Civil War and even before in many cases. For our top 25 best colleges in the Southeast United States rankings, we’ve included Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, …

Top 25 Best Colleges in New England

By College Raptor StaffPublished on August 5, 2024

New England is home to some of the oldest colleges and universities in the United States. So, it’s no surprise that it’s home to some of the best schools in the country, too. From its rich history to its amazing scenery, New England offers a unique experience to its students. The states we include in …

Top 25 Best Colleges in the Far West US

By College Raptor StaffPublished on August 5, 2024

The western United States has some of the most diverse wildlife, landscapes, cultures, and foods in the country. Not to mention the area has a strong reputation for business acumen, technological innovation, and entrepreneurship. And of course, they have some amazing colleges and universities. For this top 25 list, we’ve included the best colleges from …