College selection can be very difficult and often an emotional decision. Use the criteria below to help assess logical factors that can help lead to a confident final decision.
Cost of tuition
With the rising cost of college, it’s no surprise that students and their families still consider the total cost of tuition and fees as the top factor when choosing a school. Not only is it important to understand the total cost, it’s also important to understand the different types of financial aid and resources available. Whether it’s merit-based scholarships or need-based financial aid, consider what may be available to help offset the cost of college and be proactive about seeking out these resources, especially if it’s “free money”.
Field of study and career goals
The economy is always changing, and while college degrees are valuable, some degrees have a higher payoff than others. There are simple ways to forecast your student’s career trajectory based on skills and aptitude based on the chosen major. Psychology, for example, is a very common major but also one of the lowest paying fields after graduation. Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, are often cited as creating graduates with high salaries, but global competition keeps the market constantly shifting. It’s also important to consider whether an advanced graduate or doctorate degree is required to be hired in the desired career as this adds additional expenses.
With four-year degrees, there is often not a perfect hand-off from college success to career success. Instead, look at the big picture. Encourage your student to consider how certain majors or classes can accentuate talents, and how the knowledge they gain can be adapted to new opportunities. Even Steve Jobs commented that during his brief time in college, he was able to learn the importance of calligraphy and directly applied it to the font-types in personal computers. He learned how to adapt his knowledge to create something new after learning some fundamentals in the classroom. This may be the greatest gift an education can give students, but it’s not so obvious when first getting started.
School reputation and network
When selecting a college, the reputation and the strength of its programs are important considerations. Degree programs have different levels of accreditation and some schools are better known for certain areas of studies over others. Additionally, colleges with strong alumni networks can offer further opportunities for students after graduation.
Biggest majors: Look at the production of specific majors at certain colleges to learn more about their programs. Compare this to data from the Bureau of Labor statistics to see how certain programs align with career opportunities that are expanding today.
Industries where alumni are most common: Schools may provide information on careers of graduates demonstrating concentrations in fields like education, finance, technology or any number of areas.
Location
Location is also an important consideration, whether it’s proximity to home, the opportunity for work and potential internships, or simply what the town has to offer. There are many different school locations to consider ranging from urban to suburban to rural. Each offers its own unique advantages that may (or may not) match up to your overall goals for an educational experience. For some, a bustling city is a perfect place; for others, it’s a campus nestled in a small, rural community. This choice comes down to student personality, but college does provide an opportunity for some students to break from their comfort zones and experience a new environment.