Even though there are thousands of colleges and universities in this country, choosing a college  isn't that hard if you can narrow your choices by looking at these factors:

Academic Program

Your career goal is the most important factor to consider. You will want to choose the right type of school for your career goal. For example, a two-year degree could help you get a number of law enforcement jobs, but to become a lawyer you will need a four-year degree and law school. Research what type of degree is needed to reach your career goal.

Every school has certain programs and fields of study that are stronger than others. The stronger the program, the better prepared you will be to get a job in that field. Many college guidebooks have information on individual school programs.

Type

What type of college are you most interested in?

• A two-year community college costs the least, are the easiest to get accepted into and can be found near where you live.
• A four-year college or university is the only way to get a Bachelor's degree.
• Public universities usually cost less, are large in size and offer solid academic programs.
• Private universities cost the most but usually offer more individual attention.

Size

A large state university with more than 15,000 students: Larger schools have larger class sizes, especially in your first two years, which means that teachers can give you less individual attention. These schools usually have more classes and majors to choose from and more activities on campus, such as sports and music.

A mid-sized college or university with 3,000-15,000 students: Mid-sized schools usually have smaller class sizes than larger state schools, but also may have fewer courses and activities to choose from. It is important to make sure a mid-sized school offers the kind of courses you are interested in.

A small college with less than 3,000 students: Small colleges often feel a lot more like high schools—you tend to know almost all of the students and professors and everything is very close together. You will likely have a lot fewer courses to choose from, but will receive a lot of individualized attention from your teachers.

Location

• Keep in mind that public universities charge less for residents of that state
• Do you want to go away to college or commute to a local school?
• Do you want to come home often or just on the holidays?
• Would you rather go to college in a city, suburbs or rural area?
   

Campus Life

• What kinds of extra activities do they have/do I want? This includes sports, fraternities/sororities and the arts.
• What type of housing is there? How are dorms assigned?
• What is there to do on the weekend or after school hours?
• How diverse is the school? Would I be welcomed there?
   

Cost

• What are the total costs of tuition, books, room and board?
• What types of financial aid does the school have?
• Is the school located in an expensive town?
• Would I need a car if I went to this school?