Factors to Consider for Best-Fit College Search
Location – states and territories (U.S.), regional preference, distance from home or outside the U.S.
Major – Field of Study
College Level (4-year / 2-year)
College Type (public / private)
Liberal Arts Colleges / Universities
Tuition & Fees
Housing
Acceptance Rate (Selectivity)
Test Scores (SAT/ACT)
GPA
Special Mission
• Historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs)
• Hispanic-serving institutions (HSIs)
• Tribal colleges and universities (TCUs)
• All-women
• All-men
Study Options
• Distance Learning
• Double Major
• English as a Second Language
• Honors Program
• Weekend College
Religious Affiliation
Size
Campus Setting
• Urban
• Suburban
• Rural
Varsity Athletic Teams
Activities
• Student Newspaper
• Television Station
• Concert Band
• Jazz Band
• Marching Band
• Music Ensembles
• Symphony Orchestra
• Choral Groups
• Opera
• Drama/Theater
• Musical Theater
• Film
Campus Services
• Alcohol/Substance abuse counseling
• On-campus day care
• Programs for adults/re-entering students
• Services for low-income students
• Services for minority students
• Veterans counselor
Disability Support Services
• Blind/Visually impaired
• Deaf/Hard of hearing
• Learning disorders
• Speech or communication disorders
• Wheelchair accessibility
Starting Salary after Graduation
College Search Tools
College Navigator
College Navigator consists primarily of the latest data from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), the core postsecondary education data collection program for NCES – the National Center for Education Statistics.
Click here to search with College Navigator.
College Board BigFuture
College Board is a mission-driven not-for-profit organization that connects students to college success and opportunity.
Founded in 1900, College Board was created to expand access to higher education. Today, the membership association is made up of over 6,000 of the world’s leading educational institutions and is dedicated to promoting excellence and equity in education. Each year, College Board helps more than seven million students prepare for a successful transition to college through programs and services in college readiness and college success—including the SAT, the Advanced Placement Program, and BigFuture. The organization also serves the education community through research and advocacy on behalf of students, educators, and schools.
Click here to search with BigFuture.
