16 October 2016
Colleges With Generous Merit Aid
Schools offering merit aid to 20% or more of incoming freshmen
In search of schools with generous merit scholarship programs?
Look no further.
Here we've compiled a list of competitive 4-year institutions that offer merit aid to 20% or more of undergraduates. Merit awards are typically not based on financial need but rather on academic performance and other qualities deemed desirable by the institution. As such, they can make college more affordable for academically gifted students—especially those that are unlikely to qualify for need-based financial aid.
Most of these schools automatically consider you for merit scholarships when you submit your application.
Colleges and Universities Offering Generous Merit Aid
College Kickstart LLC
| School | % Undergrads w/ Merit Aid | Merit Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Fairfield University - Arts & Sciences | 57 | $ 18,364 |
| Fairfield University - Business | 57 | $ 18,364 |
| Fairfield University - Engineering | 57 | $ 18,364 |
| Fairfield University - Nursing | 57 | $ 18,364 |
| Cooper Union - Architecture | 51 | $ 24,338 |
| Cooper Union - Art | 51 | $ 24,338 |
| Cooper Union - Engineering | 51 | $ 24,338 |
| Furman University | 46 | $ 23,064 |
| Creighton University - Arts and Sciences | 44 | $ 20,974 |
| Creighton University - Business | 44 | $ 20,974 |
| Creighton University - Nursing | 44 | $ 20,974 |
| University of Dayton - Arts and Sciences | 42 | $ 19,485 |
| University of Dayton - Business | 42 | $ 19,485 |
| University of Dayton - Education and Health Sciences | 42 | $ 19,485 |
| University of Dayton - Engineering | 42 | $ 19,485 |
| Butler University | 42 | $ 19,322 |
| Whitman College | 41 | $ 15,333 |
| Texas Christian University - Business | 39 | $ 19,482 |
| Texas Christian University - Communication | 39 | $ 19,482 |
| Texas Christian University - Education | 39 | $ 19,482 |
| Texas Christian University - Fine Arts | 39 | $ 19,482 |
| Texas Christian University - Interdisciplinary Studies | 39 | $ 19,482 |
| Texas Christian University - Liberal Arts | 39 | $ 19,482 |
| Texas Christian University - Nursing & Health Sciences | 39 | $ 19,482 |
| Texas Christian University - Science & Engineering | 39 | $ 19,482 |
| Oberlin College | 38 | $ 22,921 |
| Tulane University | 36 | $ 20,655 |
| Santa Clara University - Arts and Sciences | 34 | $ 16,341 |
| Santa Clara University - Business | 34 | $ 16,341 |
| Santa Clara University - Engineering | 34 | $ 16,341 |
| University of Maine - Business | 34 | $ 7,990 |
| University of Maine - Education and Human Development | 34 | $ 7,990 |
| University of Maine - Engineering | 34 | $ 7,990 |
| University of Maine - Explorations Program | 34 | $ 7,990 |
| University of Maine - Liberal Arts and Sciences | 34 | $ 7,990 |
| University of Maine - Natural Sciences Forestry and Agriculture | 34 | $ 7,990 |
| Duquesne University - Biomedical Engineering | 33 | $ 15,916 |
| Duquesne University - Business | 33 | $ 15,916 |
| Duquesne University - Education | 33 | $ 15,916 |
| Duquesne University - Health Sciences | 33 | $ 15,916 |
| Duquesne University - Liberal Arts | 33 | $ 15,916 |
| Duquesne University - Music | 33 | $ 15,916 |
| Duquesne University - Natural and Environmental Sciences | 33 | $ 15,916 |
| Duquesne University - Nursing | 33 | $ 15,916 |
| Duquesne University - Pharmacy | 33 | $ 15,916 |
| University of Colorado - Boulder - Arts & Sciences | 33 | $ 9,594 |
| University of Colorado - Boulder - Business | 33 | $ 9,594 |
| University of Colorado - Boulder - Education | 33 | $ 9,594 |
| University of Colorado - Boulder - Engineering | 33 | $ 9,594 |
| University of Colorado - Boulder - Environmental Design | 33 | $ 9,594 |
| University of Colorado - Boulder - Exploratory Studies | 33 | $ 9,594 |
| University of Colorado - Boulder - Media, Communication & Information | 33 | $ 9,594 |
| University of Colorado - Boulder - Music | 33 | $ 9,594 |
| Quinnipiac University | 32 | $ 21,805 |
| Millsaps College | 31 | $ 26,359 |
| Indiana University (Non-Resident) | 31 | $ 7,099 |
| Indiana University (Resident) | 31 | $ 7,099 |
| Kenyon College | 30 | $ 14,821 |
| Beloit College | 29 | $ 38,744 |
| Berry College | 29 | $ 20,192 |
| University of Arizona (Non-Resident) | 29 | $ 11,338 |
| University of Arizona (Resident) | 29 | $ 11,338 |
| Arizona State University (Non-Resident) | 29 | $ 8,769 |
| Arizona State University (Resident) | 29 | $ 8,769 |
| University of Massachusetts - Amherst - Education | 28 | $ 6,267 |
| University of Massachusetts - Amherst - Engineering | 28 | $ 6,267 |
| University of Massachusetts - Amherst - Hum and Fine Arts | 28 | $ 6,267 |
| University of Massachusetts - Amherst - Info and Computer Sciences | 28 | $ 6,267 |
| University of Massachusetts - Amherst - Management | 28 | $ 6,267 |
| University of Massachusetts - Amherst - Nat Sci | 28 | $ 6,267 |
| University of Massachusetts - Amherst - Nursing | 28 | $ 6,267 |
| University of Massachusetts - Amherst - Pub Health and Health Sci | 28 | $ 6,267 |
| University of Massachusetts - Amherst - Soc and Beh Sci | 28 | $ 6,267 |
| College of Charleston | 27 | $ 13,280 |
| Goucher College | 26 | $ 24,243 |
| University of Southern California - Architecture | 25 | $ 17,848 |
| University of Southern California - Art & Design | 25 | $ 17,848 |
| University of Southern California - Business | 25 | $ 17,848 |
| University of Southern California - Cinematic Arts | 25 | $ 17,848 |
| University of Southern California - Communication & Journalism | 25 | $ 17,848 |
| University of Southern California - Dance | 25 | $ 17,848 |
| University of Southern California - Dramatic Arts | 25 | $ 17,848 |
| University of Southern California - Engineering | 25 | $ 17,848 |
| University of Southern California - Gerontology | 25 | $ 17,848 |
| University of Southern California - Iovine & Young Academy | 25 | $ 17,848 |
| University of Southern California - Law | 25 | $ 17,848 |
| University of Southern California - Letters, Arts & Sciences | 25 | $ 17,848 |
| University of Southern California - Medicine | 25 | $ 17,848 |
| University of Southern California - Music | 25 | $ 17,848 |
| University of Southern California - Occupational Science & Therapy | 25 | $ 17,848 |
| University of Southern California - Pharmacy | 25 | $ 17,848 |
| University of Southern California - Public Policy | 25 | $ 17,848 |
| Washington and Jefferson College | 23 | $ 30,163 |
| Clemson University - Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences | 23 | $ 4,719 |
| Clemson University - Architecture, Arts and Humanities | 23 | $ 4,719 |
| Clemson University - Behavioral, Social and Health Science | 23 | $ 4,719 |
| Clemson University - Business | 23 | $ 4,719 |
| Clemson University - Education | 23 | $ 4,719 |
| Clemson University - Engineering, Computing and Applied Science | 23 | $ 4,719 |
| Clemson University - Science | 23 | $ 4,719 |
| Texas Tech University - Agr Sci and Nat Resources | 21 | $ 4,465 |
| Texas Tech University - Architecture | 21 | $ 4,465 |
| Texas Tech University - Arts and Sciences | 21 | $ 4,465 |
| Texas Tech University - Business | 21 | $ 4,465 |
| Texas Tech University - Education | 21 | $ 4,465 |
| Texas Tech University - Engineering | 21 | $ 4,465 |
| Texas Tech University - Honors College | 21 | $ 4,465 |
| Texas Tech University - Human Sciences | 21 | $ 4,465 |
| Texas Tech University - Media and Communication | 21 | $ 4,465 |
| Texas Tech University - Undeclared | 21 | $ 4,465 |
| Texas Tech University - Visual and Performing Arts | 21 | $ 4,465 |
| Dickinson College | 20 | $ 18,736 |
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