Stetson University, in DeLand, Florida, is a stunningly beautiful campus equidistant between Orlando and Daytona Beach. Stunningly beautiful. Founded in 1883, it is the oldest private university in Florida. It's also the first business school, first music school, and first law school in the state. And yes, it's named for the maker of the Stetson hat! There are 2500 students here, about 68% of whom are Florida residents. The president, Christopher Roelke, a former dean at Vassar, came to Stetson University at the start of the pandemic. He decided to teach first-year students right away to get a feel for how they were faring, and he still teaches here. He is deeply committed to fostering civil and productive discourse, which he encourages inside and outside the classroom. His stated priorities are student success and wellbeing as well as environmental sustainability.

At Stetson, expect a lot of writing in the curriculum and professors who love to teach. In fact, US News and World Report has recognized Stetson for Best Undergraduate Teaching as well as Best Value School, Top Performer on Social Mobility, and one of the Top 4 Regional Universities in the South. In talking with students and faculty here, the case is made again for the benefits of a small college. Our tour guide's roommate was pre-med, and received one-on-one attention from her Organic Chemistry professor. If you need to do well in Orgo to apply to medical school (and you do), don't you want to go to college somewhere you don't have to fight to be at the top of the curve in a class of 300 people? We were also told that Accounting majors are hired by the Big 4, and Finance majors head to NYC to works for Goldman and the like. In fact, one student told us she will be doing equity research for a household name next year. Starting salary? $165K.

One downside to note: because of the historical nature of the campus, physical accessibility can be tough. Another is the price: $79K all in. But with merit scholarships up to $35K (and up to $40K for honors students), the price becomes more affordable. The president did tell us that they raised $65 million last year, and he's committed to setting 70% of that aside for student scholarships.

I was very impressed by Stetson - the students, the faculty, the president, the campus and the outcomes. The one thing I can't explain is the acceptance rate of 94%. That remains a mystery to me.