college comparisons

Colleges that Fully Meet Financial Need

By Ellen AndersenLast updated on December 22, 2022

It is a well-established fact that the expense of attending college has grown over the past few decades. Where once our parents could work a part-time job and pay off college as they went, current students usually cannot. So it’s important to find colleges that work with students to lower the cost of attendance. Most …

college comparisons

Colleges with the Greatest Outdoor Trails

By Ellen AndersenLast updated on December 22, 2022

We all know how much time students spend indoors. There is so much to learn, so much to study, and in many states, you can’t really study outside for a large chunk of the year. Some students make a point to get outside to run, bike, or hike. Activities such as these provide breaks from …

college applications

The College Search Process for Military Families

By Ellen AndersenLast updated on November 28, 2023

Searching for colleges and universities can be a hard enough process for students who have lived the majority of their lives in their high school’s town. For those students with family members who had to move constantly, the process is even more difficult. However, the adversity of having a parent (or parents) in the armed …

college comparisons

Schools with Great Incentives for Out-of-State Students

By Ellen AndersenLast updated on December 22, 2022

Most states have incentives for college students to attract them from that state. Whether it’s scholarship or grant opportunities or dual-credit class programs, they are trying to get your attention. While some students prefer to stay close to home, there are those of us who want to go elsewhere, whether it’s because an out-of-state school …

college comparisons

Colleges with High 4-Year Graduation Rates

By Ellen AndersenLast updated on December 22, 2022

For those of you looking for colleges with impressive four-year graduation rates, here is a good place to start! We’ve talked about the importance of graduating in four years (or less) in other posts here on College Raptor. Here are nine colleges with the top rates for getting undergraduate students out into the world in …

questions & answers

Do I Have to be Religious to Attend a Religious College?

By Ellen AndersenLast updated on December 22, 2022

The short answer, of course, is no. The primary difference between a religiously-affiliated college and a public university is that, because the religious college is private, the separation of church and state does not apply. It might be that a religious school requires so many credits of “religious” courses (depending on the school, classes such …

student life

Service Animals on College Campuses

By Ellen AndersenLast updated on December 22, 2022

Some people require animals in order to navigate college (and life). Dorms, apartments, and classrooms, among other public places often allow these animals. Before we get started on what is needed to bring your service animal to college, let’s break down the two major groups of personal service animals: Service Animals (SA) These animals (generally …

college applications

How to Increase Your College Readiness

By Ellen AndersenLast updated on December 22, 2022

We’ve done a post on what college readiness means. Now it’s time to address how to increase your college readiness so that you are as prepared as possible for your new life chapter. And remember, the skills that will get you by in college will also be used in the workplace. So maybe we should …

questions & answers

What Makes a Person a Nontraditional Student?

By Ellen AndersenLast updated on December 22, 2022

Depending on your chosen college, you might hear quite a bit about “nontraditional” students. These are students who are considered to be outside the “normal” parameters for college students. And believe me, it doesn’t take much to be outside those parameters. If your typical college student is full-time, straight out of high school into college, …