Criteria for Choosing a College

The U.S. is home to more than 5,000 colleges and universities — how does anyone narrow those choices to just one? When it comes to college admissions, picking the right college is just as important as crafting a standout application. In fact, finding the right college is key to making the most of your next four years.

Some students have thought about their dream school for ages. Others are the first in their family to apply to college. No matter your situation, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. After all, choosing a college is a big decision! Knowing what’s out there is the first step towards finding a school aligned with your values and goals.

Understanding different types of colleges

Each type of college has its own flavor. Everything from size and campus culture to academic programs and cost varies by school.

Colleges fall into three main funding-based categories: public, private, and for-profit. Public colleges receive state funding, whereas private colleges do not. Instead, they rely on tuition, endowments, and donations. For-profit colleges generate profits through the educational services they provide. These distinctions matter because a school’s financing will affect the quality of your education and what you’ll pay for it. 

In addition to funding, colleges can also be categorized based on the types of degrees they offer. Two-year colleges award associate degrees, and four-year colleges offer bachelor’s degrees. You might encounter these common types of colleges while looking for your dream school.

• Public 4-year colleges: These state colleges and universities typically offer lower tuition than private colleges; however, tuition costs more for out-of-state students. Public colleges can vary in size from small (like the United States Merchant Marine Academy, with 947 students) to large (like Arizona State University, with over 65,174 students). Most students graduate with a bachelor’s degree.
• Private 4-year colleges: Many of the most prestigious schools in the U.S. are private colleges. They tend to have higher tuition but also offer generous financial aid packages. Like public colleges, they vary in size and offer bachelor’s degrees.
• Community colleges: Community colleges are public in-state, lower-cost options for earning a degree. Most community colleges offer 2-year associate’s degrees, but some do offer bachelor’s degrees. Many students begin their college education at a community college before transferring to a 4-year institution. In fact, community colleges saw a 6.2% growth in freshmen enrollment in spring 2024.
• Liberal arts colleges: These colleges, which tend to be smaller, provide a liberal arts education, emphasizing a broad, well-rounded approach rather than intense specialization. As you work on your bachelor’s degree, you’ll take courses outside your major, including in the humanities and sciences. 
• Research universities: Many prestigious universities, including the Ivy League schools, are research universities. These larger institutions offer a wide range of majors and degrees, including master’s and doctoral programs for graduate students.
• Vocational colleges: Unlike other colleges, vocational colleges focus on career-specific training programs. Depending on the program, students may earn either an associate’s degree or a certificate.

Colleges can also have a specific focus or serve a specific student population. Historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) focus on educating black students. Religiously affiliated colleges may integrate a particular faith into their educational mission. Women-only colleges only accept women. Certain colleges only offer degrees in specific fields, such as the arts or STEM.

As you can see, there’s a lot of variety, and no two colleges are the same. Building your own criteria gives you a clear framework for comparing colleges.

6 things to look for in a college

How do you know which type of college is right for you? For starters, clarify what’s important. Think beyond name recognition — a prestigious school doesn’t necessarily guarantee it’ll be a good fit. Consider these factors as you compare colleges:

1. Size. A small college campus feels completely different compared to a larger one. U.S. colleges range from a few hundred undergraduate students to well over 50,000. Smaller colleges often have lower student-to-faculty ratios and more tight-knit communities; larger campuses often have more resources and more diverse student bodies.
2. Location. Four years is a long time to spend in one place, so pick an environment you enjoy. Deciding between urban, suburban, or rural, East Coast vs. West Coast, and in-state vs. out-of-state can help narrow your options. Think about transportation, distance from home, and housing options on- and off-campus.
3. Campus culture. Your peers comprise a big part of your college experience. Consider the makeup of the student body. Is it diverse? How’s the campus spirit? Extracurriculars offer a great way to get involved during your college years, so explore student groups, athletics, greek life — whatever you’re most interested in.
4. Academics. Does the school have the major you want? Is there a required core curriculum? Whether you’re undecided or interested in double majoring, consider the strengths of the programs you’re interested in and how much flexibility you’ll have to take other classes of interest.
5. Student resources. This broad category includes everything from dorm rooms and fitness centers to tutoring and career services to research and study abroad opportunities. Remember, you’re paying for much more than your classes, so take advantage of everything your college offers.
6. Cost. While cost shouldn’t be a driving factor, be realistic about your budget. Evaluate a school’s cost of attendance and the types of financial aid they offer. Applying to college costs money, so get a general idea about whether a college is in your price range before sending an application.

As you fine-tune your list of priorities, decide which factors are “needs” vs. “nice to haves.” Depending on where you’re accepted, you may need to compromise to get what matters most to you.

Maximizing your acceptances

Many college admissions websites use terms like “reach” or “target” when describing college types, usually in relation to building what they call a "balanced" college list. But what do those terms actually mean? To put it plainly, the entire college admissions process is a game of odds. Some colleges admit the majority of applicants, while others only admit a fraction of hopefuls. Playing the odds maximizes your total number of acceptances.

Group the schools on your list into three categories: reach, target, and safety schools. 

• Reach schools are those hard-to-get-into universities with a <20% acceptance rate. Always consider them as reach schools, regardless of your GPA and test scores.
• Target schools can have a range of acceptance rates, but your GPA and test scores should be at or above their averages. You have a good chance of acceptance from these schools.
• Safety schools include those with 70% or higher acceptance rates and schools where your GPA and test scores are way above average. This category usually includes in-state public schools.

A “balanced” list should have a combination of all three schools. How many schools should be on your final list? It depends on you! Some students apply to over 20 schools while others apply to just one. The sweet spot? Between 6-10 colleges, including at least one safety school you’re genuinely excited about attending and a healthy mix of target and reach schools.

Want more tips and insights? Check out our full Guide to College Admissions here.