Deciding where to go to college is arguably one of the most important decisions you’ll make in your life. Your undergraduate journey often serves as the foundation for your future career endeavors, so you need to find the best fit for your needs and abilities. With so many high-quality colleges and universities to choose from, the decision-making process can be overwhelming. Let’s explore some important factors to consider when choosing a college.
Size
Colleges vary greatly in terms of size, so think about what type of environment you desire. There’s truly something for everyone, from small liberal arts schools that may have fewer students than your high school to large state universities with tens of thousands of students.
Smaller schools typically don’t offer as many majors, but you’re more likely to have specialized instruction and smaller class sizes. In contrast, large colleges often have state-of-the-art research facilities and diverse coursework.
Take some time to think about what’s most important to you in terms of both the academic and social aspects of college. If you envision yourself spending your weekends tailgating before the big football game, a large university might be the right choice. If you enjoy knowing the names of all your classmates, a small school may be ideal.
Academic Offerings
Whether you know exactly what you want to major in or you have zero clue, you should research a college’s academic offerings. Obviously, if you know you want to study marine biology, you need to find a school that offers the degree. Take some time to look through the course descriptions to see whether their offerings seem like a good fit.
If you’re undecided about your academic goals, choose a university that offers a wide variety of majors. With so many options, you can take different courses until you find your desired discipline. In general, a large school has the staff and resources to offer a wider array of undergraduate programs of study.
Location
Another important factor to consider when choosing a college is geographic location. If you choose to attend an in-state public school, you can potentially save a significant amount of money on tuition. Plus, if you go to a school close to home, it’ll be more economical to travel during school breaks. Instead of pricey airfare, you’ll be able to hop in the car or take advantage of a regional train or bus service.
Additionally, consider whether you want to attend school in a small, rural setting, a sprawling, urban area, or somewhere in between. The location of the campus plays a big role in terms of cultural offerings, internship opportunities, and community. If you want a more intimate feel, a small college town is ideal. If you’re looking for a diverse array of social activities, consider a large metropolitan area.
Once you’ve narrowed down your list of prospective schools, you can plan an in-person visit to get a feel for the place. Plus, you can use your firsthand experience on campus to help your student college application stand out. The good news is that, with so many colleges and universities to choose from, you’ll be able to easily find the perfect place to continue your educational journey.
Nearly a third of college students plan to start a company just as soon as they graduate, with the same survey revealing that 17% already run a business while studying.
We know that new businesses can provide a significant boost to the local economy by creating jobs and attracting investment — but are any colleges particularly good at keeping their entrepreneurial alums within the local area?
To find out, the Switch On Business team used Crunchbase and LinkedIn data to reveal the U.S. colleges that see the most business founder graduates launch companies within their college’s city or state: https://switchonbusiness.com/where-founders-launch/
How Often Founders Launch Businesses Where They Studied, courtesy of Switch On Business