‘What College Should I Go To?’ How To Choose A College – Forbes Advisor – Technologist

Choosing a college is a significant undertaking that can feel overwhelming. You want to pick a school that helps you reach your career goals, fits your budget and provides you with a high-quality education. But with so many options—more than 3,500 in the U.S. alone, according to the National Center for Education Statistics—where do you begin?

While some applicants choose their colleges early on, many students need more time to investigate their options. This article explores factors to consider when choosing a college, including major offerings, school size, budget, location, housing options and student resources.

How To Choose the Right College

Above all, your ideal college should closely align with your priorities and career goals. Selecting the best school typically involves making a list of options and scaling down your list by eliminating colleges that don’t match your priorities. Keep reading to learn more about how to choose the right college for you.

1. Make a List of Contenders

Compiling a list of potential contenders is a great place to start. For example, you might include schools that your friends or family members attended with positive experiences. You can also research reputable schools known for high-quality degree programs in a specific discipline.

If you need help getting started, look for online resources that allow you to search for and compare colleges. We’ll get into these a bit later.

2. Determine Your Top Priorities

Determining your top priorities is essential to the college selection process. Do you plan to live on campus, or would you prefer a college closer to home so you can commute? What majors or programs of study are available? Are you interested in extracurricular activities? Do you prefer smaller or larger class sizes? Do you prefer in-person or online degree programs?

3. Take Campus Tours

After you narrow down your list, consider taking campus tours of your top choices. A tour gives you a glimpse of a college’s culture and campus life and allows you to ask questions. If you plan to attend college online, this step may be helpful but not critical.

4. Consider Financial Aid

As you research schools, assess the total cost of tuition and fees, as well as the availability of scholarships and financial aid packages. If applicable, determine whether each school charges higher rates for out-of-state tuition or offers any discounts for fully online learners.

5. Research Critical Factors

Once you build a shortlist of colleges, it’s time to research the most important factors to you. These vary according to your needs and experiences but may include academic support, student resources or campus culture.

Things To Consider When Choosing a College

Below, we explore several key factors that could guide your decision.

Accreditation

Find out if the colleges on your shortlist hold accreditation. Schools earn accreditation at the institutional level, and specific programs can also gain accreditation. Accreditation shows that a school or program meets specific requirements and ensures its students receive a high-quality education.

Budget

During your research process, determine each school’s tuition rates, mandatory fees and financial aid options. Getting a clear idea of your total college expenses will help you stay within your budget. Also, remember that even if a school charges high tuition, you may be able to offset the price with scholarships and financial aid.

Campus Culture

Talking to current students can help you gain insight into a college’s campus culture and determine if the school is a good fit. Hearing others’ experiences sometimes provides a unique perspective you wouldn’t hear otherwise. Touring colleges, speaking with admissions staff and reading student blogs also give you a taste of campus culture.

Degree Level

While most schools offer a variety of majors, they might not offer the specific degree you want to pursue. For instance, a college may only offer a bachelor’s degree in a particular discipline. If you also plan to complete a master’s program and want to simplify the process, you could opt for a different school with a combined dual-degree program.

Faculty

Try to determine whether the college’s faculty members foster open communication, encourage questions and genuinely care about their students. You can learn more about faculty by asking current students about their experiences. Caring, knowledgeable and engaging faculty members have the power to enhance your learning experience.

Graduation and Retention Rates

Researching colleges’ graduation and retention rates provides insight into how well each school supports its students. It also indicates how long it typically takes students to complete their degrees, which could affect their costs. Low graduation or retention rates may be a red flag about the quality of the educational experience.

Housing

Learning about your housing options is crucial in choosing a college. Whether you plan to live in on-campus or off-campus housing, consider factors such as the cost of rent, distance from campus and potential roommate arrangements.

Location

Your decision may hinge on location issues, such as distance from your home, proximity to public transportation, climate and temperature, community amenities, and access to shopping centers and entertainment.

Major Offerings

If you’ve already chosen your college major, make sure to enroll in a college with that program. You might find this more challenging depending on your specific goals. For example, many colleges have business programs, but not all of them offer a bachelor’s in aquatic biology.

Prestige

Another factor to consider is how much prestige matters to you. Are you aiming for an Ivy League school, a community college, a state school or a different option? You can get a high-quality education from many types of colleges and universities regardless of their perceived prestige.

School Size

Is school size important to you? College provides opportunities for developing relationships, engaging in various extracurricular activities and exploring your life goals, so it’s a good idea to find a school that is large or small enough to help you do these things.

Student Resources

While student resources vary by school, some typical ones include libraries, recreation centers, tutoring services, writing centers, mental health services and medical care. As a student, you may need to access these resources, so you should find out which ones the colleges on your shortlist offer.

Resources for Choosing a College

Below are a few options to help you find more information about your prospective colleges.

National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)

NCES’s website allows you to search for and compare colleges according to location, available majors and other factors. It also features financial aid information, career tools and statistical information, such as graduation and retention rates.

College Scorecard

The U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard includes links to more information on apprenticeship programs, career exploration, training programs, employment rates and financial aid.

The College Board’s BigFuture Online Planning Guide

Learn more about career options and ways to plan and pay for college with the College Board’s handy online guide. It features a career quiz, a career search option, a student search service and a college search tool that allows you to browse more than 3,000 college profiles for more information.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Choosing a College