Wells College New York

Wells College is a private, not-for-profit four-year liberal arts college located in Aurora, a small rural town in the Finger Lakes region of New York. With just 357 students, it's genuinely tiny—the kind of place where professors know your name and class sizes stay manageable. The college has a long history and a quiet, residential campus feel that appeals to students looking for a more intimate educational experience away from urban centers.

Tuition runs $35,166 per year, and with room and board the total cost of attendance comes to $52,466 annually. That's a significant investment, though the school's endowment of about $4 million is modest for a private college, which affects how much financial aid they can offer. The acceptance rate sits at 69.6%, so if you're a reasonably prepared student, you have a solid shot at getting in.

The six-year graduation rate is 40.9%, which is lower than you'd hope to see. That number suggests the school struggles with student retention and completion, so it's worth asking directly about support services, why students leave, and what the school is doing to help students finish. Wells works best for self-directed learners who thrive in small communities and need a supportive environment to succeed.