Not sure what college or career school might be right for you? 
Learn about steps you can take to research possible colleges or career schools. While getting the right education and training will help you get a better - paying job , going to college or career school is a big investment in time, money, and effort. Make sure to take your time and research your options. 

How do I find the right college or career school for me? 


Types of Schools 
There is a wide array of schools available for higher education. Options include two- and four - year colleges and universities, vocational, trade, and career schools, online schools, and graduate schools. Different schools serve different purposes. Make sure you choose the type of school that helps you achieve your goals. Remember that financial assistance programs and requirements can vary from school to school. Plus , not all colleges and career schools participate in the federal student aid programs. Always check with a school to find out what financial aid is available there. 

Assess Yourself 
Understanding your career goals and options and their earning potential will help you find a college or career school that meets your needs. The Career Search will help you match your skills and interests with potential careers. 

Use the College Search Tool 
The U.S. Department of Education s college search tool, College Navigator, is a way to find colleges and career schools that may fit your needs. You can search for schools by location, degrees offered, programs and majors, tuition and fees, setting, size, and much more. College Navigator allows you to compare schools, save your session, and export your results into a spreadsheet. 

Check Out Schools (In Person or Remotely) 
To help you narrow down your college or career school options , try the following : Check out the school s website. Lots of colleges and career schools offer virtual tours, so you can still see the campus, even if you can t visit in person. Attend colle

user: What am I looking for when trying to compare chools?

assistant: Have you started research on schools and colleges at this point?

user: No, not yet, I am very new to this

user: Are there a defined set of admission requirements that cover off all schools?

assistant: Each school has their own set of admission requirements. You can visit the relevant school's website to find out what exactly these are

user: Is there any way that I can get a refund if I do not complete course work?

assistant: It is possible that you might be able to get some of your money back, this will depend on the circumstances and on the school

user: Are there any lists that I can refer to that highlight any complaints that have been made against a school?

assistant: You could check with your local Better Business Bureau. You could also check with your state higher education agency or the consumer protection division of your state attorney general's office. You could also check with the agency that accredits the school, to see if the school meets the required standards

user: Is there such a thing as useful statistics for a school?

assistant: Statistics can be used to help you compare and evaluate schools