THE BEST-KEPT SECRETS.
No flashy window decals in this category. Though the colleges listed here are well known in their respective states, on the national level they are largely anonymous outside of a few devoted alumni and graduate school admissions officers. The latter group, however, is an important one. Rest assured that a degree from any of these colleges will get the respect it deserves when the time comes to apply to law school, medical school, or any other kind of school. As for the window decal, think of it as a well-kept secret-only a select few will recognize its significance.

Centre College.
Small Kentucky college (1,000) known for producing Rhodes Scholars and devoted alumni ... Traditional liberal arts curriculum, largely conservative student body ... Fraternities and football games are the staples of social life ... Old grads still talk about gridiron upset of Harvard in 1921.

Millsaps College.
The pride of Mississippi higher education ... Best liberal arts college in the Deep, Deep South ... Largely pre-professional student body has sights set on business, law, and medicine ... Known as liberal hotbed in Mississippi (translation: middle-of-the-road to conservative).

University of Redlands.
One of the West Coast's most versatile small colleges (1,800) ... Offers optional individualized program in which students "contract" with faculty to create their entire program ... Also offers pre-professional training in business, education, and even engineering.