frostburg vs salisbury?

St Mary's alumn here. If you think a small, liberal arts college would be the ideal fit, he should definitely think about applying. They are looking for grades on par with UMCP, but are also interested in diversity, first gen students and, as a liberal arts college have more young women than men, giving the latter an advantage. It's really, really worth an application and visit.

Back in the day, Frostburg had more of a party rep and Salisbury a somewhat weaker academic rep (it dates me, however, to say it was "Salisbury State" back then.). I like the town of Salisbury, which gives a bit of the small college town feel. If you go, check out Specific Gravity Pizza - very yum!

UMBC is a bit of a suitcase school, but I was talking with one of their deans a couple years ago and very impressed with some of the programs they were putting in place to help first gen students suceed and their retention rates are good. Particulalry if the young man has uneven grades but is interested in STEM (where the uneven prep may be a problem), they're worth thinking of.

Montgomery College is, of course, very good but you have to be pretty self directed and it's hard to keep a set of friends.