College Raptor’s Hidden Gems 2024

College Raptor’s Hidden Gem College Rankings puts a spotlight on amazing schools in the US that you may not have heard of before. When we talk about hidden gems, they all have three things in common:  They are accessible. They are good schools (generally within the top third of College Raptor’s overall rankings). They are …

College is expensive, and parents and students alike are constantly looking for ways to keep costs low. But did you know that some schools are more affordable than others, particularly for middle-income families? The colleges we listed below are the “hidden gems” of the best and most affordable colleges and universities out there. We defined …

Historically Black Colleges and Universities, or HBCUs, are schools that have a history of providing education to African Americans and underrepresented communities in the United States. Some are more well-known than others, but we wanted to shine some light on 25 amazing “hidden gem” HBCUs.  In order to be considered for this Hidden Gems list, …

Most colleges and universities in the US offer some sort of athletic program. Division III, or D3 is a division of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). These schools represent a great opportunity for student-athletes who want a combined athletic and academic college experience. There are currently 438 Division III colleges, but for our list, …

When colleges have low acceptance rates, students can wait on tenterhooks for a reply. This can lead to a stressful springtime for many graduating high school students. However, there are plenty of amazing schools that have higher-than-average acceptance rates for applicants! These colleges and universities that are easier-to-get-into can be excellent dream schools or safety …

Many of the well-known colleges in the United States are located in New England, including Harvard and Yale, which can make it difficult for lesser-known schools to shine! We want to give some spotlight to those schools with our Hidden Gem Colleges in New England for 2024. These colleges and universities offer outstanding programs and …

America’s heartland (or, the Plains region as we call it) is vast, fertile, and filled with various industries. Additionally, it’s home to a bunch of amazing colleges. These colleges are standouts for a reason, and, while they may not be household names, they’re definitely worth a look when you want to further your education. These …

Also known as the Mid-Atlantic region, the mid-east region of the United States is home to some of the most amazing colleges in the country. Some pre-date the American Revolution! With so many standout names, though, it can be easier to overlook some colleges that deserve more attention. We aim to highlight those in this …

The Great Lakes are so impressive that they get a section of the US named after them. In addition to its thousands of lakes, it’s also home to some amazing schools. For this year’s Hidden Gem colleges in The Great Lakes, we wanted to highlight some of the small but mighty colleges and universities that …

Spanning over 3,000 miles from New Mexico to northern British Columbia in Canada, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the Rocky Mountain region is home to some of the best hidden gems in the United States. While the schools on this list aren’t necessarily household names, they definitely deserve to be! That’s why we …

If you love warm weather and good food, the Southeast United States may be the perfect location for you to continue your studies! Already home to some of the oldest and most impressive schools in the country, these states are also home to some of the best hidden gem colleges we could find. Keep reading …

Home to vast deserts, sprawling cities, rugged mountains, and deep canyons, the Southwest is a dynamic and unique region. The area also boasts some of the most unique colleges in the country. While some big names call this area home, too, we are highlighting “hidden gems” of the region – or schools that are accessible …

From sunny beaches to snowy mountains to rainy coasts, the Far West region is beautifully diverse. In addition to a variety of landscapes, the Far West is home to a variety of both well-know and “hidden gem” colleges and universities. The 2024 Hidden Gem Colleges in the Far West list shines some light on great …