The Top 10 Things to Look for When Choosing a College

Choosing which college to attend is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make in life With over 4,000 degree-granting institutions in the US., the options can feel overwhelming. However, by focusing your college search on the following key factors, you can find your perfect fit.

1. Location

The location of a college should be one of the first things you evaluate Consider

• Distance from home – Do you want to stay near home or live across the country?

• Type of area – Would you prefer a bustling city or small college town?

• Climate and geography – What weather and landscape are you accustomed to?

• Transportation – Is the campus accessible without a car?

• Off-campus opportunities – What internships, activities, etc. are accessible in the surrounding community?

• Travel expenses – How much will it cost to get home for breaks and visits?

The location significantly impacts campus vibe, off-campus experiences, and practical costs. Prioritize your location priorities.

2. Available Majors and Programs

Ensure the college offers your desired major and provides pathways to your future career goals. Research:

• Breadth of majors – Does it offer diverse options if you are undecided?

• Specific program rankings – Is your intended major particularly strong at the college?

• Flexibility to change majors – How easy is it to switch programs if interests evolve?

• Internship/research opportunities – Does the program provide hands-on learning experiences?

• Success of graduates – What careers and jobs do alumni of the program attain?

Finding the right academic program fit raises your chances of engagement, persistence, and post-college success.

3. Cost of Attendance

The total cost of attendance — tuition, fees, room, board, books, travel, etc. — varies greatly among colleges. Be realistic about what you can afford:

• Net price calculators – Use these tools on college websites for cost estimates based on your financial profile.

• Scholarship opportunities – Research available academic and other scholarship options to lower costs.

• Loan/debt implications – Weigh how much student loan debt makes sense for your future career earnings.

• Work study programs – Seek on-campus part-time jobs to offset costs.

• In-state tuition – Attending public universities in your home state generally provides the lowest rates.

Don’t rule out an amazing college solely on sticker price – dig deeper to understand the true cost with aid factored in.

4. Campus Culture and Community

The vibe on campus shapes the social experience. Evaluate:

• Extracurricular clubs/activities – Are there diverse options to explore interests?

• Greek life – Is the party scene dominated by fraternities/sororities or more inclusive?

• Athletics – Is school spirit focused on sports, academics, or both?

• Demographics – Does the student body reflect diversity?

• Housing – Are dorms co-ed? First-year requirements? Themed options?

• Student values – Do students share your social attitudes and beliefs?

Finding a college with a culture where you can find your tribe is key to happiness.

5. Campus Size

Colleges range from just a few hundred students to over 50,000. Consider:

• Class sizes – Do you prefer large lectures or small seminars?

• Opportunities – Larger schools typically offer more academic programs, activities, etc.

• Personal attention – Smaller colleges provide more individualized support.

• Social environment – Do you want to blend in or stand out?

• Campus navigation – Are multiple campuses or a large area difficult to manage?

There are benefits to both small, intimate campuses and big, spirited state schools. Think about your ideal community.

6. Housing and Facilities

The quality of dorms, dining options, recreation, and other campus services affects daily life. Look into:

• Residence halls – Are housing options updated with needed amenities?

• Dining variety – Do meal plans provide diverse, healthy options?

• Recreational sports/fitness – Are facilities adequate to stay active?

• Health services – Is medical, mental health, wellness support available?

• Technology – Are academics supported with modern labs, WiFi, etc?

• Libraries – Do facilities and resources support research and studying?

Comfortable housing and high-quality services help you live your best college life.

7. Success Outcomes

Strong outcomes demonstrate the college supports students in achieving goals:

• Graduation rates – Does a high percentage of students finish in 4-6 years?

• Retention rates – Do most first-year students persist to sophomore year?

• Career results – Are graduates employed, in grad school, etc?

• Alumni network strength – How influential and supportive are alumni?

• Satisfaction scores – Do surveys indicate happy students and alumni?

A college with high completion rates sets you up to join the ranks of successful graduates.

8. Surrounding Community

Look off campus to understand opportunities available locally:

• City size – Are ample options for dining, nightlife, entertainment?

• Employers – Do major companies recruit students for jobs and internships?

• Transportation – Is it easy to access the city and travel regionally?

• Safety – Do students feel secure living/traveling around the area?

• Shopping/amenities – Are everyday needs like pharmacies, banks, etc. accessible?

A vibrant community allows you to enjoy all the perks of college life.

9. Admissions Selectivity

Aim for colleges where your academic profile fits the student body:

• Acceptance rate – Is admission extremely competitive or more accessible?

• Test scores, GPA – Do your grades and scores meet averages for accepted students?

• Application requirements – Are supplemental essays, portfolios, or interviews required?

More selective colleges have higher expectations but offer prestige. Solid options also exist among schools with higher acceptance rates.

10. Financial Aid

Don’t rule out an amazing college based on the sticker price before exploring financial aid:

• Scholarships – Research options like academic, athletic, community service awards.

• Grants – Federal, state, and college grants provide aid that does not require repayment.

• Loans – Taking out a reasonable amount of student loans can expand options.

• Work study – These campus jobs allow you to earn money toward your costs.

With the right combination of savings, aid, and loans, an expensive school may end up affordable.

By weighing each of these factors in your search process, you can find colleges that check all your priority boxes. Creating a checklist is useful for comparing strengths of different schools. Also visit campuses to get a feel for student life.

With focus and research, you can make one of the most exciting decisions of your life!