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How can I know what college to go to?
How can I know which collage is best for me?
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Doc’s Answer
Paula after graduating high school or earning a diploma equivalent, you have option of earning a two-year degree at a community college, or pursuing a four-year degrees at University. If you're deciding between attending a community college or university, it may be helpful to gain a better understanding of the differences between the two institutions.
COMMUNITY COLLEGE VS. UNIVERSITY
To select the right school for your higher education, you may first want to choose between community college and university. Though each option has its benefits, attending community college can save you money and offer better flexibility. Junior colleges, also known as community colleges, and universities differ in the types of programs they offer, cost, and length of study:
• 2-YEAR COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Junior colleges, or community colleges, typically offer two-year associate degree programs and professional certificates.
• 4-YEAR UNIVERSITIES
Colleges, or universities offer a wider range of undergraduate, graduate, and Ph.D. programs. Junior colleges often focus on practical skills and flexible learning options.
ADMISSION COMPARISON
Community colleges and universities may have different admission requirements for incoming students. Some community colleges allow candidates with a high school diploma or equivalent degree to enroll. Others may have more specific admission requirements for certain programs, particularly for disciplines like nursing, allied health and law enforcement.
Comparatively, universities may have stricter admission requirements for prospective students. Candidates may submit applications proving they completed certain high school secondary coursework. Other admission requirements for universities may include:
• Minimum high school GPA, such as a 2.5
• Minimum scores on standardized tests
• Letters of recommendation
• Essays or personal statements
COST PER-YEAR COMPARISON
Junior colleges are often more affordable than universities. Taking two years of classes at a local community college can also save money,
average cost is $4,000 in tuition per year. If you’re concerned about affording university tuition, you can make it more manageable by starting at a community college. The lower costs help you take out fewer loans, creating a better financial position. In 2024, four-year public universities charged an average of $11,500 per year in tuition and fees for in-state residents and $25,000 for out-of-state students. Private universities charged an average of $50,000 in tuition and fees per year.
CLASS SIZE COMPARISON
Typically, fewer students enroll at community colleges than at universities. While the size of these institutions can vary, community colleges may enroll as few as several hundred students, while universities may have over 100,000 students. Since community colleges usually have fewer students, these institutions may have smaller class sizes. The larger size of universities may mean these schools have more student facilities, such as auditoriums, research laboratories and gyms.
COURSEWORK FLEXIBILITY
It's common for community colleges and universities to offer different levels of flexibility regarding coursework and enrollment. Community colleges often offer various options for completing your education, including part-time, full-time and hybrid enrollment. Some community colleges also provide options for you to earn a degree online. These flexible options are essential for nontraditional students who may work in professional roles while simultaneously earning their degrees.
Comparatively, universities may offer less flexibility than community colleges. Most university students enroll full time, which is sometimes a requirement to qualify for financial aid. While many universities offer part-time enrollment options, hybrid coursework may be limited to specific programs in continuing education.
Hope this was helpful Paula
COMMUNITY COLLEGE VS. UNIVERSITY
To select the right school for your higher education, you may first want to choose between community college and university. Though each option has its benefits, attending community college can save you money and offer better flexibility. Junior colleges, also known as community colleges, and universities differ in the types of programs they offer, cost, and length of study:
• 2-YEAR COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Junior colleges, or community colleges, typically offer two-year associate degree programs and professional certificates.
• 4-YEAR UNIVERSITIES
Colleges, or universities offer a wider range of undergraduate, graduate, and Ph.D. programs. Junior colleges often focus on practical skills and flexible learning options.
ADMISSION COMPARISON
Community colleges and universities may have different admission requirements for incoming students. Some community colleges allow candidates with a high school diploma or equivalent degree to enroll. Others may have more specific admission requirements for certain programs, particularly for disciplines like nursing, allied health and law enforcement.
Comparatively, universities may have stricter admission requirements for prospective students. Candidates may submit applications proving they completed certain high school secondary coursework. Other admission requirements for universities may include:
• Minimum high school GPA, such as a 2.5
• Minimum scores on standardized tests
• Letters of recommendation
• Essays or personal statements
COST PER-YEAR COMPARISON
Junior colleges are often more affordable than universities. Taking two years of classes at a local community college can also save money,
average cost is $4,000 in tuition per year. If you’re concerned about affording university tuition, you can make it more manageable by starting at a community college. The lower costs help you take out fewer loans, creating a better financial position. In 2024, four-year public universities charged an average of $11,500 per year in tuition and fees for in-state residents and $25,000 for out-of-state students. Private universities charged an average of $50,000 in tuition and fees per year.
CLASS SIZE COMPARISON
Typically, fewer students enroll at community colleges than at universities. While the size of these institutions can vary, community colleges may enroll as few as several hundred students, while universities may have over 100,000 students. Since community colleges usually have fewer students, these institutions may have smaller class sizes. The larger size of universities may mean these schools have more student facilities, such as auditoriums, research laboratories and gyms.
COURSEWORK FLEXIBILITY
It's common for community colleges and universities to offer different levels of flexibility regarding coursework and enrollment. Community colleges often offer various options for completing your education, including part-time, full-time and hybrid enrollment. Some community colleges also provide options for you to earn a degree online. These flexible options are essential for nontraditional students who may work in professional roles while simultaneously earning their degrees.
Comparatively, universities may offer less flexibility than community colleges. Most university students enroll full time, which is sometimes a requirement to qualify for financial aid. While many universities offer part-time enrollment options, hybrid coursework may be limited to specific programs in continuing education.
Hope this was helpful Paula
Garima Lajras
Illustrator, 2D animator, Graphic Designer, UX/UI Designer
64
Answers
Updated
Garima’s Answer
Hello Paula,
This is great that you're asking this question because it's the first step toward knowing what you want. Choosing the right college can be simplified into steps to make the process easier. By focusing on your interests, values, and goals, you can guide yourself in the right direction.
Here’s a technique I used before:
The concept of Ikigai (you can find ikigai template online) —which represents the intersection of what you love, what you're good at, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for—can be a helpful tool.
Think about what subjects or activities excite you (what you love), the skills and strengths you have (what you’re good at), the impact you want to make in the world (what the world needs), and your long-term career goals (what you can be paid for). When you find a college that aligns with these areas, you'll be on a path that feels both fulfilling and practical.
For example, if you're passionate about design, good at solving creative problems, want to contribute to sustainable practices, and aim to work in a well-paying design field, look for colleges that offer strong design programs with sustainability initiatives.
Taking the time to research and visit colleges, talk to current students, and consider how each school fits into your ikigai can make this big decision feel more manageable. Ultimately, the best college for you is one that helps you grow, learn, and move closer to your ideal future.
I hope this helps.
Best of luck!
This is great that you're asking this question because it's the first step toward knowing what you want. Choosing the right college can be simplified into steps to make the process easier. By focusing on your interests, values, and goals, you can guide yourself in the right direction.
Here’s a technique I used before:
The concept of Ikigai (you can find ikigai template online) —which represents the intersection of what you love, what you're good at, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for—can be a helpful tool.
Think about what subjects or activities excite you (what you love), the skills and strengths you have (what you’re good at), the impact you want to make in the world (what the world needs), and your long-term career goals (what you can be paid for). When you find a college that aligns with these areas, you'll be on a path that feels both fulfilling and practical.
For example, if you're passionate about design, good at solving creative problems, want to contribute to sustainable practices, and aim to work in a well-paying design field, look for colleges that offer strong design programs with sustainability initiatives.
Taking the time to research and visit colleges, talk to current students, and consider how each school fits into your ikigai can make this big decision feel more manageable. Ultimately, the best college for you is one that helps you grow, learn, and move closer to your ideal future.
I hope this helps.
Best of luck!
I have not heard of Ikigai before but love it - thank you for sharing!
Martha Kramer
You're welcome.☺
Garima Lajras
Updated
Allison’s Answer
Thanks for your question. I agree with the perspectives and considerations listed in the answer responses above. One thing I would add is to consider the location of the college/university. You may plan to stay local to where you are now, or you may choose to relocate to a new town/city/state. Career fairs often times invite companies who are looking to recruit employees locally or within the region of that school. This isn't always the case, but something to keep in mind as you consider where you may want to be after college.
Updated
Jerome’s Answer
I took the Community College route because I wasn’t sure about college. I was able to get my 2 year degree and transfer to a 4 year. The great thing about this path is that it’s considerably cheaper and the 4 year degree you get is the same one everyone else gets.
Swing big and look for schools that meet your needs while knowing you’ll have options around you that are easily accessible.
Swing big and look for schools that meet your needs while knowing you’ll have options around you that are easily accessible.
Updated
Rebecca’s Answer
Hi Paula -
College is a very expensive undertaking. I would recommend understanding the career path you would like to take in life and then research colleges that are the best fit and top rated for that career path. In other words, if nursing is your interest, then research universities with top nursing programs and understand the differences among the different programs across those universities. You also want to take into consideration the culture, extracurricular activities as well as expense. Hope that helps and wish you much success!
College is a very expensive undertaking. I would recommend understanding the career path you would like to take in life and then research colleges that are the best fit and top rated for that career path. In other words, if nursing is your interest, then research universities with top nursing programs and understand the differences among the different programs across those universities. You also want to take into consideration the culture, extracurricular activities as well as expense. Hope that helps and wish you much success!
Updated
Rebecca’s Answer
Thank you for your question. Many students have similar question. Different colleges have strength in different subjects. Firstly, you need to find out what careers you have interest. The relevant subjects are the major and minor you can explore.
Below are my suggestions:
1. Think about what you have interest, eg your hobbies, favourite subjects, etc and identify the related careers
Eg if you like music, would you like to be a musician, singer, musical artist, music composer, music producer, etc
If you have interest in maths, would you like to be an accountant, engineer, banker, financial analyst, maths teacher, etc
2. Find out more on these careers and determine what you have interest
3. Speak to someone who are working in these careers. Seek guidance from your mentor, school career counselor, your parents, etc
4. Shortlist 1-2 careers you would like to pursue. The relevant subjects are the major and minor you can explore
5. Explore the college review on these subjects and find out the entry criteria
Hope this helps! Good Luck!
May Almighty God bless you!
Below are my suggestions:
1. Think about what you have interest, eg your hobbies, favourite subjects, etc and identify the related careers
Eg if you like music, would you like to be a musician, singer, musical artist, music composer, music producer, etc
If you have interest in maths, would you like to be an accountant, engineer, banker, financial analyst, maths teacher, etc
2. Find out more on these careers and determine what you have interest
3. Speak to someone who are working in these careers. Seek guidance from your mentor, school career counselor, your parents, etc
4. Shortlist 1-2 careers you would like to pursue. The relevant subjects are the major and minor you can explore
5. Explore the college review on these subjects and find out the entry criteria
Hope this helps! Good Luck!
May Almighty God bless you!