The Metropolitan State College of Denver is a four-year college located in Denver, Colorado, USA. Metro State is one of the largest four-year colleges in the country and has the second largest enrollment of undergraduates in Colorado.

Metro State sits on the amazing Auraria Campus and is really a gem to look at and attend. It sits in the heart of downtown Denver and has numerous access points via public transportation. It is very friendly and has numerous public and private resources in which students can tap.

It shares a campus with 3 other schools, and while it does not offer housing, Denver has many affordable housing options very close nearby.

I remember taking a hard look at Fort Hays Community College, now known as Fort Hays State University. It is located in Western Kansas and is a great affordable university with some amazing technology focused programs.

A bit about Fort Hays State University:

Fort Hays State University is a liberal arts, state-assisted institution in western Kansas with an enrollment of more than 9,000 students. It has four colleges — Arts and Sciences, Education and Technology, Business and Leadership, and Health and Life Sciences — and a Graduate School. It also has a Virtual College that delivers courses electronically throughout Kansas and beyond. Students at FHSU can select a major field of study from 30 departments and study in an electronic environment throughout the campus. They can obtain associate degrees in office technology and radiologic technology; do their preprofessional study at FHSU then transfer to a medical or law school; obtain bachelor’s and master’s degrees; and in some areas of the curriculum, can earn specialist’s degrees.

One thing that appealed to me about Fort Hays, was the community in Western Kansas. The community of Hays has been recognized nationally as an exceptional place to live. A study conducted by BizJournals, a division of American City Business Journals, named Hays in 2006 as one of the top small communities in the country in which to live. It has also been listed as one of the top 5 small college towns in the nation. This appeals to me hugely.

The University of Montana is located in the pristine valley of Missoula,Montana. Missoula,Montana is one of Montanas largest cities. And easily its most liberal minded city. The University of Montana has an amazing campus that is really beautiful for a small university.

A little bit about the University of Montana:

The University of Montana was founded in 1893 in the burgeoning pioneer town of Missoula, less than 90 years after Lewis and Clark and their Corps of Discovery explored the area. Since then, the University has nurtured a tradition of cultural and scientific exploration. Today, “The Discovery Continues” at UM – from a local, regional and global perspective into the next frontier of space.

Students receive a high-quality, well-rounded education and training for professional careers in the University’s three colleges – arts and sciences, forestry and conservation, and technology – and six schools – journalism, law, business, education, pharmacy and the fine arts.

Located at the heart of western Montana’s stunning natural landscape, UM is a magnet not only for top-notch teachers and researchers, but also for students from across the country and around the globe. A city within a city – with its own eateries, stores, medical facilities, banking and postal services, and zip code – UM has an increasingly diverse population and rich culture.

In conventional terms, Missoula is considered my home away from home and thus it has always been the home to a school that I dearly love. If you are looking for a great small town school, and great community definetly check out the University of Montana.

Western State College is located in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. Western State College of Colorado is a 140 acre public institution in the beautiful mountain valley of Gunnison, CO. A lot of attention is pushed on Colorados big institutions Colorado State University,and the University of Colorado but a hidden gem is definetly Western State College of Colorado.

Gunnison is home to all kinds of folks from Ski Freaks, to Entrepreneurs and obviously collegiates as well. It is cold in Gunnison but it is a gorgeous place that any one can call home. You should definetly be one who enjoys the outdoors as thats pretty much at the heart and core of Western State College and the community in and around Gunnision.

The teaching staff is intimate and yet laid back which suits many go getters as well as those looking for an alternative type education.

Definetly check out Western State if you are looking for an outdoorsy focused education.