Where to Start - What is Important to You?

Only you can decide which online college, 2 year college or 4 year college will meet your needs.

Ask ten different people for advice on choosing a college, and you'll likely get ten different answers. Whether parents, teachers or friends, everyone has their own idea of what they consider to be the best way to approach the college experience. The input of friends and family is important, but ultimately you need to be honest with yourself about what you are looking for in a college experience.

Finding the best college or university for your needs is no easy task. However, there are a number of simple steps that you can take to help narrow down the thousands of possibilities into a handful of top contenders. By breaking the selection process into smaller, more manageable steps, you'll be able to systematically identify which schools offer an education that best fits your needs and wants.

What Factors Are Important to You for Your Two Year, Four Year or Online College?

First, determine which factors are most important to you in a college experience. Review all the possible factors and rank them in order of importance. Some factors to think about include:

College size
Location (near to or far from home)
Setting (do you want a small-town vibe or a city experience?)
Religious affiliation
Reputation (party school, respected academic institution, etc.)
Coed or single-sex
Public or private

Continue With Some Basic Research—Find College Information

Once you have a general idea of what types of colleges and universities you are interested in, the next step is to start researching colleges that fit your criteria. There are numerous types of colleges out there. First, ask yourself if you would prefer an online school, a two year college or a four year college.

Perhaps you don't know the answer to this question just yet. To get a better idea, try talking to friends and family about the pros and cons of each type of program. Review brochures and other marketing material that universities send to your house. Also, do research online to gain insight from experts about what to expect from an online school, two year college or four year college setting.

When Selecting Your Two Year, Four Year or Online College, Consider Your Major or Degree Program

Obviously, your intended career path is an important factor in finding a college. If you have a particular major in mind, then you will certainly want to pick a college that offers a corresponding degree program. In contrast, if you are still uncertain about careers that you are interested in, then a school that offers a broad introduction to numerous topics and degrees may be preferable.

After you find college programs that fit your career path, it is also worthwhile to compare the quality of specific degree programs across universities.

Review College Rankings to Find Colleges That Are Right For You

A good way to gauge which colleges offer the best experience for you is by looking at online college rankings. Sites such as the Princeton Review rank the best colleges based on criteria such as majors, academics, politics, diversity and party friendliness. Other college ranking sites include:

Find the Cost of Colleges and Universities

Looking at cost is a good way to quickly narrow your available options. You will want to select a school that you can afford. Comparing tuition costs for schools that feature your intended degree program is a good way to refine your search. Additionally, learning about the available scholarships and financial aid programs may help with your college selection process.

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