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Choosing the right college can be daunting and stressful, but it's important to do your due diligence and find the right school for your academic interests and professional goals. A number of factors will influence your scholastic success and personal happiness, and it's important to evaluate each school closely. All students should take a holistic approach to their college search, considering each school's academic reputation, location, tuition, and campus life.

Earning your degree from a top school sets you up for academic and professional success. Top-school students enjoy access to high-quality programs and the latest learning technologies, and benefit from the expertise of instructors who are authorities in their fields. They also develop a peer network of other students who share their passion for learning, which can lead to exciting professional opportunities after graduation. And you certainly can't discount the importance of name recognition -- a degree from an academic powerhouse can propel your job application to the top of the pile.

So what does it mean to be one of the "best" colleges? In creating our ranking, we began with minimum criteria like accreditation, annual reporting, and availability of online degrees. We then delved deeper into each school's overall value by considering aspects like academic quality, affordability, and the breadth and depth of programs available online. By quantifying these metrics through objective assessment, we've created our ranking of the top 25 Best Colleges in America. If you're searching for a school, make sure to take a look at our list.

Choosing a Program

Online vs. On-Campus Study

Many of the best colleges offer students the choice between campus-based and distance learning study. The decision rests on several factors, but ultimately depends on a student's personal needs. The traditional campus environment, often preferred by students enrolling directly after high school, provides a variety of experiences outside of the classroom. Some students relish the chance to live independently in a residence hall or their own apartment. They network with their professors, receiving mentoring and advice. They meet people their age, making friendships that can last a lifetime. Many students become involved in the campus social scene and participate in co-curricular activities like student government, clubs, and sports.

Students who select online programs generally focus on academic factors, especially factors that impact career opportunities. They also prefer to set their own learning pace. These students may take one or two classes each term, or opt for a full course load. Students who must work while getting an online degree value online programs' flexibility, which allows them to complete assignments whenever and wherever they want. Online students can attend their classes and complete their coursework without neglecting their personal responsibilities. They also save on housing and transportation expenses. If colleges close to home do not offer a particular major, students can find online programs based elsewhere that do without having to commute to school.

Cost Online On-Campus Online students may pay less in tuition and fees. If living at home, they avoid paying for room and board or transportation expenses. Some online degrees offer in-state tuition rates to students who live out of state. However, online programs sometimes charge students technology, lab, and exam proctoring fees. Online students may save on housing and commuting expenses, but they must have reliable equipment and access to a high-speed internet connection. Tuition for traditional campus-based programs varies by school and degree requirements. Private schools typically cost more than public institutions. Out-of-state students at public colleges and universities generally pay higher tuition rates. Some traditional brick-and-mortar schools offer opportunities for work-study, scholarships, or on-campus employment to help offset the cost of tuition.

Flexibility Online On-Campus The flexibility and convenience of online programs appeals to many students. While some programs feature a cohort structure, where the same group of students progresses through courses at the same time, many online programs offer students the freedom to take as few or as many classes as they need, progressing toward a degree at their own pace. On-campus programs usually schedule courses at fixed times but may offer multiple sections of the same course throughout the day or evening. Many schools schedule summer semesters, during which students can take several of their core requirements or popular electives. Some schools offer intersession terms between the fall and spring semesters, allowing students to earn credits toward graduation.

Program Length Online On-Campus Many online programs allow students to work at their own pace. This feature enables some students to complete a degree much faster than in a traditional setting. However, students who work full time, have extracurricular commitments, or find the material challenging may take longer to complete their degree, finishing only one or two classes per term. The amount of time needed to complete an on-campus degree depends on the type of program, the number of credits required, and the student's needs. A bachelor's degree usually requires four years of full-time enrollment. A master's usually takes two years. Some schools offer accelerated degrees with continuous enrollment, including summer sessions.

Major Options Online On-Campus The number of majors and programs offered online continues to grow in every discipline, from business and technology to social services and healthcare fields. If students cannot locate a college close to their home that offers their intended major, they may find an online program that offers what they need. On-campus programs, especially at large universities, offer a broad range of majors in the liberal arts, natural and social sciences, and professional fields. Some schools allow students to develop their own interdisciplinary majors. Students may find traditional in-person campus programs best for majors requiring lab work, experiential learning, and supervised clinical or field placements.

Student Resources Online On-Campus Many online programs provide the same services available to campus-based students, including new student orientation, advising, and tutoring. They offer training to navigate the school's learning management systems and methods of course delivery. Students may download lectures, videos, and other instructional materials. Online learners have access to virtual libraries, learning help desks, and technical assistance, often around-the-clock A traditional campus experience offers many appealing amenities, including clubs, student centers, athletic facilities, and intercollegiate sports. On the academic side, these schools provide face-to-face faculty advisers, computer labs with trained assistants, library reference and research desks, and tutoring centers. Most schools operate student health centers, counseling services, and career placement offices.

Choosing a Major

Before anything else, make sure you enroll in a school that offers your intended major. The best colleges for your major may not necessarily work best for you. Be honest with yourself about your interests and abilities. You may have always dreamed about a career in medicine, but cannot get through an introductory biology lab. In that case, what are your chances of landing a job in this field after graduation? Do you define success in financial terms, or do you also prioritize job satisfaction, serving others, and maintaining a work-life balance? Compared to other students interested in this major, your list of the best colleges may look very different.

Popular Online Associate Degrees

Popular Online Bachelor's Degrees

Popular Online Master's Degrees

Location

A list of the best colleges in the U.S. includes school located all across the country. A school's location impacts both on-campus and online students. Earning a degree from a campus-based program that requires students to commute or live on-campus adds the overall college costs. Renting an apartment near campus can also get expensive. Students have to budget for meals and public transportation, or maintaining a vehicle and parking costs. Schools in big cities offer opportunities to explore the urban environment, but may not provide a strong sense of student community. Colleges in rural settings may help you focus on academics, but their students might feel stifled by the isolation and limited entertainment options. Students seeking a traditional brick-and-mortar college experience far from their long-standing support networks should possess independence and self-sufficiency. Consider the implications for your adjustment to college life, if you find yourself taking off long weekends to travel back home to see friends or family.

Distance learning students may save housing and transportation expenses, but many still have to travel to campus a few times a year to complete clinical experiences or other in-person requirements. Campus-based programs may also impose residency requirements that limit students to local placements for internships, clinical supervision, or fieldwork.

How Much Does a Degree Cost?

The high cost of a college education often catches students off-guard. Funding college requires planning and sacrifice, but the return on this investment pays off in greater earning power and career advancement. The price of a college degree depends on a variety of factors, including type of school, location, and delivery format.

In-state vs. Out-of-state

Because state schools receive much of their funding from taxes paid by their residents, in-state students benefit by receiving subsidized tuition rates. Out-of-state students usually pay much higher rates than in-state residents. State residency requirements differ by school and state, but generally, prospective students must document at least 12 months of state residency before starting school to qualify for state-subsidized tuition. However, exceptions to this rule exist. Several private schools have begun to offer a single flat rate for their online programs, to both in-state and out-of state students. Some public institutions now offer in-state tuition rates to out-of-state applicants for their online programs.

Several schools in different regions of the country have joined cooperative agreements to reduce tuition. These arrangements, sometimes referred to as "tuition exchange programs" or "academic common markets," offer discounted tuition rates to students who live in surrounding states. Many colleges and universities also offer "legacy discounts" to the children of alumni, including those who live out-of-state.

Private vs. Public

Most public institutions receive funding through state taxes and government subsidies. Private schools depend on tuition and endowments from private donors. A few private institutions function as the country's most prestigious schools, but many public universities rank among the best colleges in the U.S., as well.

A student's decision to attend a particular school, whether recognized as one of the best colleges or not, depends largely on cost. Public schools generally offer lower tuition and fees. Private schools come with much higher price tags, but they often discount tuition through scholarships and grants. Public schools may offset costs by offering more work-study programs, or opportunities for on-campus employment. Students enrolling at either a public or private school must consider transportation and lodging expenses. Larger private institutions provide a wide range of housing options for students living on- or near campus, while private schools offer fewer options.

Accreditation

Accreditation distinguishes the best colleges from less-competitive, less-demanding schools. The accreditation process establishes rigorous educational standards for degree-granting institutions of higher education. A degree earned at an accredited institution receives wide recognition for its academic excellence. A school's accreditation status determines its eligibility to disburse federal financial aid. Accredited institutions generally do not accept transfer credits from unaccredited schools. A degree from an unaccredited school may not gain recognition from graduate schools, employers, or professional certification agencies.

How does the process of accreditation work? Independent accreditation agencies regularly evaluate schools based on the quality of their academic programs, faculty, and financial practices. The U.S. Department of Education (ED) and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) both oversee accreditation of U.S. schools. As a cabinet-level federal agency, the ED administers national educational policies and financial assistance programs. The nonprofit organization CHEA advocates for self-regulation of higher education through independent accreditation. Both organizations perform quality-control functions to ensure educational quality.

Students should avoid "diploma mills" that grant degrees that employers, graduate programs, and licensing and certification agencies do not recognize. Always check the ED and CHEA websites for listings of accredited schools in the U.S.

Regional vs. National Accreditation

Schools voluntarily seek accreditation from either national or regional accrediting bodies. Regional accreditation is the most sought-after and respected designation, awarded to approximately 85% of all accredited schools. A regionally accredited school has been evaluated by the regional accreditation agency with jurisdiction over its particular geographical area. Regionally accredited institutions, which include most of those ranked among the best colleges in the U.S., generally include nonprofit, private, and state-operated schools.

In contrast, for-profit colleges and vocational, technical, and online schools typically receive national accreditation. They may have lower academic standards and less restrictive admission requirements than their regional counterparts. Generally, nationally accredited schools accept transfer credits from regionally accredited colleges and universities, but regional schools do not reciprocate. Students who are interested in a nationally accredited school should carefully research that school's reputation and compare its curriculum and degree requirements with the standards set for regional institutions.

Programmatic Accreditation

In addition to institutional accreditation administered by regional and national agencies, some programs within a college or university seek program-specific accreditation. Programmatic accreditation, also known as specialized accreditation, establishes standards of academic excellence for specialized programs. Several independent agencies administer programmatic accreditation for a variety of programs in subject areas including engineering, business, criminal justice, psychology, architecture, and counseling. Most of these agencies offer programmatic accreditation to programs within schools that have already received regional accreditation.

Programmatic accreditors look at particular features of a program, including its curriculum, faculty, student resources, and administrative structure. While programmatic accreditation provides a good indicator of overall program quality for potential employers, graduate programs, and licensing and certification organizations, it is not necessary to receive a high-quality education. Programmatic accreditation involves a lengthy and costly process; some of the best colleges offer high-quality programs, but have not attained this designation.

Financial Aid

If you intend to earn your degree from one of the best colleges in America, you have to figure out how to pay for it. Very few students can afford to pay for all their school expenses, even with help from their families. Most college applicants must seek some form of financial aid to help offset the cost of their education.

The FAFSA

The search for college aid begins with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Prospective and current college students seeking any form of federal need-based aid must submit the FAFSA each year. Not only does the FAFSA determine your eligibility for all federal scholarships, grants, and loans, but many privately funded grants and scholarships, college-specific awards, and state-administered programs require it as well.

In fact, most college admissions officers recommend that you file this form even if you plan to pay for your education out-of-pocket without federal assistance, or if you believe you do not qualify for aid. Colleges use the FAFSA to determine your expected family contribution (EFC), or the amount they expect you or your family to contribute toward your overall college costs. This number informs universities of your qualification for school-specific financial aid.

Nearly everyone who submits a FAFSA may qualify for some form of financial assistance. If you do not qualify for need-based aid, consider applying for an unsubsidized loan. These loans do not discriminate based on financial need. Find out more about the FAFSA, including eligibility requirements, deadlines, and submission instructions, at the Federal Financial Aid website.

Scholarships and Grants

As you begin your search for the best colleges to fit your needs, familiarize yourself with the types of financial assistance available and the differences between them. Some forms of student aid, like the various federal loan programs, require repayment when you graduate. Others offer on-campus employment to help pay for tuition and fees. Students who qualify for scholarships and grants receive those monies directly, as outright gifts without the expectation of repayment.

Monetary awards known as grants do not require you to pay them back. Colleges usually credit these funds directly to your student account to help cover tuition and fees, books, and room and board. The federal government provides most of the available need-based grants. State governments and many colleges and universities also offer need-based grants.

Students may also qualify for privately funded scholarships, another type of award that does not require repayment. Students may apply for scholarships based on financial need or academic performance. Applicants for some scholarships must fulfill eligibility requirements linked to race, ethnicity, religion, or some other group affiliation. Some students receive these awards for their academic achievements in specific fields of study or for their athletic ability. Scholarships often require strict rules for renewal, such as maintaining a certain grade point average or adhering to certain sports-related regulations.

Work-Study Programs

Many of the best colleges in the U.S. offer work-study opportunities, which provide part-time, on-campus jobs to students who demonstrate financial need. To receive federal work-study (FWS), students must submit the FAFSA and check the square on the form indicating their interest in employment. Students must resubmit their FAFSA annually to maintain eligibility for continued employment through the FWS program. The amount a student can earn through FWS depends on their level of demonstrated need and their school's available funding and positions.

Some schools offer opportunities for non-federal work study that do not depend on financial need. Students sometimes find work-study jobs in areas related to their majors, as computer lab assistants or writing tutors. Most of these positions require 10 to 15 hours of work per week. Students typically earn the current federal minimum wage, but some may receive higher rates depending on the type of employment.

AN OVERVIEW OF FINANCIAL AID Approximately two-thirds of today's college students rely on loans to fund their education, but there are plenty of overlooked financing options you can use to reduce your overall student debt. UNDERSTANDING THE FAFSA Completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is a crucial first step for any student with financial needs. Our FAFSA guide features a step-by-step rundown on the process and answers to several frequently asked questions. FINANCIAL AID FOR ONLINE STUDENTS Financial aid for online learning is equivalent to what you'll find for campus-based learning, but that hasn't always been the case. Learn about the changes that have taken place, as well as the different funding opportunities available to online students. SCHOLARSHIPS FOR SINGLE PARENTS Online college programs can be a flexible, affordable option for single parents who are interested in earning a degree and securing their family's financial future. We've compiled a list of scholarships, grants, and other financial aid options geared toward single moms and dads. FINANCIAL AID FOR VETERANS AND ACTIVE MILITARY Millions of dollars in free money is available to U.S. military personnel, but much of it goes unused. Learn more about grants, scholarships, and other financial aid opportunities available to veterans, active-duty service members, and reservists.

Last Updated: October 26, 2018

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