Choosing a perfect institution is a vital time in a student’s life as it will have an immense impact on their future decisions. One should select their college based on research and prioritizing their preference. From my perspective, while choosing a college, the top 3 criteria would definitely be the location, academic majors, and overall cost of the particular college.

First of all, location is one of the most significant factors in choosing a college for several students. If one decides to live in their home state and attend a public school, they can qualify for in-state tuition, however saving a lot of money. Additionally, they can also cut fees on travel since car rides are usually less expensive than airfare. Considering whether they want to live in a rural area, a sprawling metropolis, or someplace in between. Therefore,small college towns often offer a more intimate sense of community that lets them build a strong relationship with peers and professors. In contrast, schools in large cities can grant them access to more cooperate with social and cultural activities, not to mention internships with major companies as well as nonprofits.

Secondly, it’s important to make sure that any school they consider offers a major that fits in their pathway. For instance, students who know they want to study law should not seriously consider schools that do not offer this degree. On the contrary, students who are still undecided about their academic goals may want to consider choosing a college that offers a wide variety of majors.

Lastly, choosing a public institution near hometown often means they’ll qualify for lower tuition rates. For instance, according to the National Centre for Education Statistics, in-state residents attending a four-year public institution paid an average of $26,027 per year in tuition and fees in 2023-24, whereas out-of-state students paid $27,091 per year. However, on top of tuition, all need to factor in room and board, transportation, books and supplies, and other miscellaneous student fees when calculating the total cost of attendance. Again, many of the best universities boast affordable tuition and substantial financial aid packages. The students need to make sure to speak with an academic advisor about the loans, grants, scholarships, financial aids and work-study opportunities offered by their prospective schools.

After considering these 3 factors while choosing the best college, I strongly believe that a student will be able to study in their chosen major in that particular college and create a better future for themselves.