Identify Important Factors in Choosing a College
In choosing a college, the first things you'll probably consider will be the type of academic program and the availability of the major—or majors—you are most interested in.
Here are some other things to think about as you compare colleges. How you rank these other factors will depend largely on your personal preferences and needs.
Number your top five factors by importance below.
Location
Environment
- type of school (2-year or 4-year)
- school setting (urban, rural)
- location and size of nearest city
- co-ed, male, female
- religious affiliation
Size
- enrollment
- physical size of campus
Admission requirements
- deadline(s)
- test(s) required
- average test scores, GPA, rank
- special requirements
Academics
- majors offered
- special requirements
- accreditation—recognized by regional or national accrediting bodies as meeting its objectives
- student-faculty ratio
- typical class size
College expenses
- tuition, room and board
- estimated total budget
- application fee, deposits
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Financial aid
- deadline(s)
- required forms
- % of student population receiving aid
- scholarships
- part-time employment opportunities
Housing
- residence hall requirements
- availability
- types and sizes
- food plans
Facilities
- academic
- recreational
- other
Activities
- clubs, organizations
- sororities/fraternities
- athletics, intramurals
- other
Campus visits
- when to visit
- special opportunities
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