If you enroll in one of the best colleges that require CSS profile completion, you can guarantee you are unlocking equal access to learning at an affordable rate.
Although completing extra documentation during your application period can be time-consuming, this is a must for many schools.
Without CSS profile completion, scholarships, funding, and other types of grants cannot be allocated fairly among the student body.
This guide will review some of the best schools that require CSS profiles.
What’s a CSS Profile?
As mentioned, the CSS profile is designed to help schools guarantee they are allocating funding equally among the student body.
It was initially developed and managed by the College Board, the same group of people that manage the SAT.
With a CSS profile, schools can acquire non-federal scholarships and other institutional aids essential for students to afford college or university.
The central premise of the CSS profile is that it gives pertinent information about a student’s financial capabilities.
It allows families and students to explain extenuating or unique circumstances that could affect their ability to afford school.
Indeed, it is a far more in-depth and time-consuming application.
However, it is well worth the time investment for families that find post-secondary schooling hard to afford.
What Are the Best Colleges That Require CSS Profile Completion?
Let’s jump into the list of the best colleges you can apply to that require a CSS profile.
1. Berklee College of Music
The Berklee College of Music is located in MA and requires CSS profiles for the following:
- Domestic students
- International students
- Non-custodial parents
Not only is it one of the most astute post-secondary institutions in the United States, but it is also one of the top schools in the world.
In fact, it owns the title of the most prominent contemporary music college worldwide.
With a 62 percent graduation rate and a 52 percent acceptance rate, it is a highly competitive program for students.
On average, you can expect to pay $46,805 per year on tuition, which is where your CSS profile could help significantly.
2. Baylor University
Baylor University is located in TX and requires CSS profiles for the following:
- Domestic students
- International students
- Non-custodial parents
As a private Baptist Christian research university, Baylor has many fantastic opportunities for students to explore.
It boasts a 79 percent graduation rate among full-time and first-time students.
Additionally, it has a 68 percent acceptance rate, making it an excellent option for competitive students to consider.
Students at Baylor typically spend around $37,309 on their tuition, which is slightly higher than average.
The school focuses primarily on four-year degrees, helping students be readily employable upon graduation.
3. Carnegie Mellon University
Carnegie Mellon University is a competitive university located in PA and requires CSS profiles for the following:
- Domestic students
- Non-custodial parents
At this time, the school does not require CSS profiles from international students, which could mean tuition rates will be significantly higher.
At Carnegie Mellon University, students can dive into several fabulous learning opportunities, as it is one of the best private research universities in the nation.
It was established in the 1900s and has since become one of the most prestigious four-year universities in the world.
Students can expect to spend $37,000 on tuition without scholarships and assistance.
Carnegie Mellon University is also home to an impressive 89 percent graduation rate and an extremely competitive 17 percent acceptance rate.
4. Cornell University
Cornell University is one of the best institutions to attend in the state of NY. This school currently requires CSS profiles for the following:
- Domestic students
- International students
- Non-custodial parents
Cornell University is a popular option if you have ever dreamt of attending an Ivy League school.
It is a phenomenal research facility with dozens of competitive programs taught by world-renowned faculty members.
With a 95 percent graduation rate, you can guarantee the majority of students follow through with their studies.
The school is highly competitive to get into, as it has one of the lowest acceptance rates in the nation at 11 percent.
That said, if you have remarkable transcripts and a passion for your area of study, it is a good idea to apply.
On average, tuition at Cornell University can hover around $37,000.
5. Dartmouth College
Dartmouth College is another remarkable institution located in NH that requires CSS profiles from the following:
- Domestic students
- International students
- Non-custodial parents
Attending college or university in New Hampshire can help you study in some of the most beautiful architectural structures in the state.
Dartmouth College is home to spanning buildings across its massive campus engulfed in nature.
It is also one of the most competitive Ivy League research universities in the United States.
Its history is long, with its founding in 1769, and it is one of the first nine colonial colleges created before the American Revolution.
Dartmouth College features a 95 percent graduation rate, which guarantees that its curriculum is phenomenal for all types of students.
That said, getting into the school is not easy, as the acceptance rate is only around nine percent.
Attending Dartmouth College is slightly less expensive than you would expect for an Ivy League institution.
Students can spend an average of $32,000 per year on tuition, depending on the level of aid they receive.
6. Duke University
Duke University is located in NC and requires CSS profiles for the following:
- Domestic students
- International students
- Non-custodial parents
Duke University has a stunning campus for students to enjoy and a number of sports and extracurricular activities to partake in.
It is classified as a private research university in Durham.
As such, studying in this school is a fantastic opportunity for students to dive into world-class research opportunities with faculty and peers.
Like many other prestigious institutions in the United States, Duke University was founded in the 1800s.
Regarding statistics, it is even more competitive than some of the other programs we have checked out so far.
For one, it has a 96 percent graduation rate, which is impressive for students in their undergraduate studies programs.
In addition, Duke University is home to world-class master’s and doctoral degree programs for advanced learning.
Most notably, the school has an acceptance rate of only eight percent, speaking to its highly competitive nature.
The cost per year for your studies is around $32,000, which is the average for many top-ranking institutions nationwide.
7. Georgetown University
Georgetown University is one of the most prestigious schools in Washington, D.C., for students to attend.
The school currently requires CSS profiles for the following:
- Domestic students
- International students
- Non-custodial parents
Georgetown University was established in 1789 and is one of the top academic and research universities in the United States.
Its curriculum is designed to support students as they work to become the world’s best global citizens and leaders.
At this university, students will explore real-world research, service opportunities, and more through their studies.
Georgetown University is known to be the oldest Jesuit and Catholic university in the U.S.
It is also a relatively challenging school to get accepted to, as its acceptance rate hovers around 17 percent.
That said, students at the school love its programs, which help contribute to the 94 percent graduation rate.
Like many other prestigious universities and colleges, the average annual cost to attend Georgetown University is $32,000.
This amount may vary depending on your chosen specialty and the aid you qualify for.
8. Harvard College
Harvard College is the most popular university in MA and arguably the world. It requires CSS profiles for the following:
- Domestic students
- International students
- Non-custodial parents
Harvard College is the type of school students dream of attending, along with many other Ivy League institutions.
It is located in Cambridge and has a stunning campus with unique architecture and state-of-the-art research facilities and tools.
It was initially founded in 1636 and is the oldest university in the entirety of the United States.
That said, you can guarantee its programs are some of the most competitive anywhere in the world.
As of 2020, the acceptance rate for Harvard was five percent, with 61,221 applicants in total.
That said, it is also one of the top institutions known for providing financial aid, as many students pay around $14,000 for their tuition.
9. Johns Hopkins University
Johns Hopkins University is an exceptional school located in MD and requires CSS profiles for the following:
- Domestic students
- International students
- Non-custodial parents
It was founded in 1876 and is the oldest research university in the Western hemisphere. You will also find that it is one of the most prestigious schools in the world.
One of the most considerable benefits of studying at Johns Hopkins University is its state-of-the-art facilities, including the Applied Physics Laboratory.
Moreover, attending this school is less expensive than you might think, as the average student pays around $23,000 per year for tuition.
The school features a 93 percent graduation rate, which is expected of such a prestigious institution.
That said, it accepts approximately 11 percent of its applicants.
Complete Your CSS Profile Today!
When preparing to apply to the best colleges that require CSS profile completion, it is best to get started early.
Every student deserves equal access to education, regardless of their family’s current financial status.
With this extra documentation, students will have access to state-of-the-art facilities and world-renowned learning opportunities.
