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How To Choose a College: Essential Steps To Follow

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journey today.

Step 1: Educational Interests

This helps us connect you with the right enrollment counselor to help you through the process.

Degree Level

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Class Setting

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Area of Study

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Program

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Current Education Level

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Country

United States

Read time 6 minutes

GCE Editorial Team

Published on Feb 18, 2025

Written By

GCE Editorial Team

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College Prep|Online Degrees

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¹Includes all traditional students who have a last date of attendance at least three weeks into the Fall 2024 semester, students who participated in a campus evening class in August or September of 2024 and students who have participated in an online class in August or September 2024.

Approved and verified accurate by the assistant vice president of GCU marketing on Jan. 29, 2025.

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Grand Canyon University. Any sources cited were accurate as of the publish date.

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What To Look for in a College: Must-Haves

These must-have items are the most essential factors to consider when choosing a school. The key things to look for in a college include academics, financials and campus life.

Degree Programs

By this point, you likely know which fields of study capture your interest. Some students may even know exactly which career they plan to pursue. Even if you only have a general idea of the types of fields that might suit you best (e.g., STEM or humanities), you can use this preference to determine which college on your list could be right for you.

Research the college’s academic reputation regarding the fields that interest you. Check out the available degree programs and consider whether any speak to you. You might also search the course catalog to examine individual course offerings for various degree programs, and you might consider the available minors.

Costs and Financial Aid

Costs are an important concern for students and their parents. Early on in your college search process, you should sit down with your parent(s) or guardian(s) to have a discussion about financials. What do they expect they can contribute to your college education?

Next, you’ll want to assess the tuition rates, housing costs and other fees for the schools on your list. Keep in mind, however, that students often don’t pay the full price for their college education. There are plenty of financial aid options available.

One important step in how to choose a college is to assess the financial aid and scholarship offers from the various schools you’ve applied to. Other sources of financial aid could include:

Federal student grants and loans
State student grants and loans
Private scholarships

Campus Environment or Online Flexibility

High school graduates often look forward to taking their first major step toward independence by living away from home on a college campus — whether it’s an hour away from home or thousands of miles. If you’re an on-campus student, your school isn’t just where you’ll attend classes; it’s also your home away from home. It’s important to select a school where you’ll feel comfortable.

Attending on-campus classes isn’t necessarily right for every student, however. If you’re leaning toward being an online student, consider whether your choice of school offers the flexibility to earn your degree online. Keep in mind that some degrees may require an on-campus presence at least part of the time, while others are 100% online.