Find Out Here The Type of College That is Best For You

If you’re asking yourself, “What type of college is best for me?” You’re not alone! Finding the best-suited college for you can take a significant amount of time and evaluation because you have a lot to consider. The list includes your likes and dislikes, location preferences, your desired field of study, and more.

While starting this decision process, you should recognize that academic goals and personal preferences vary, meaning the perfect fit for your best friend may not align with your own needs. Similarly, the college your parents attended or your hometown college, while comfortable, might not offer exactly what you’re looking for.

This is a monumental decision that will most likely shape your career path after you graduate. So how do you know you are making the right decision for the question “What college is the best for me?” We’ve put together a list of advantages for each type to help you decide. ⬇️

Private or Public Colleges?

Public college may be a good fit if you…	Private college may be a good fit if you…
Want an affordable education Enjoy diversity and meeting different people Want a variety of majors and electives to choose from Plan to attend student organizations/events	Prefer smaller class sizes Want to study a specific major that a private institution offers You can afford the higher tuition / are willing to work for financial aid Want a smaller student-to-faculty ratio for more individualized attention

Large vs. Small Schools

A large school may be a good fit if you…	A small school may be a good fit if you…
Love making new friends with various interests and from a variety of backgrounds Don’t feel overwhelmed as part of a large cohort Want lots of social activities and events Desire to create a big network of contacts	Like smaller campuses or smaller class sizes Want to create closer connections with classmates and teachers Desire a strong sense of community Want to feel like an individual instead of a number in a crowd

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Liberal Arts Colleges or Research Universities

A liberal arts college may be a good fit if you…	A research college may be a good fit if you…
Want a well-rounded education with interesting electives Don’t know exactly what you want to study (yet) Want to participate in student organizations Desire to attend grad school	Want to focus on your major field of study and nothing else Desire to connect with experts in the field you’re studying Like state-of-the-art labs and tech Want to participate in research studies

Community College vs. Trade School

A community college may be a good fit if you…	A technical college may be a good fit if you…
Want to save money on higher education Plan to transfer to a 4-year university to finish your bachelor’s degree Prefer to stay close to home Have a part-time job	Prefer working with your hands Want a career-focused education Need a more affordable education Want a flexible and adaptable experience

City or Country

A college in the city may be a good fit if you…	A college in the country may be a good fit if you…
Want to be a part of the hustle and bustle Want to have plenty of places to go on the weekends / during downtime Want to experience people from all walks of life Want to be a part of a large community	Want a slower pace Enjoy spending time in nature Want a more predictable way of life Plan to participate in community events

What type of college is right for me?

Do any of these options pique your interest? One may stand out, or you might find yourself leaning toward multiple options. To help with the decision process, visiting the colleges you’re interested in is one great way of finding out what kind of campus or education experience you prefer. Most importantly, be open to considering options you initially hadn’t thought about. This is an opportunity to think about which college will have the best resources to help you achieve your dreams and set you up for a successful career.

If you’re still searching for a school that makes you say, “This is the best college for me!,” then use our College Match tool to discover which college is right for you!