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: Are there things that I should consider when comparing schools and deciding which school I wish to attend?

assistant: Have you done much research into the colleges and career schools that may be on your list?

user: No, not yet, I have only started this process

user: Is there anywhere I can go to find out of there have been any previous complaints made about a school?

assistant: You have a few options: you can contact your local Better Business Bureau, your state higher education agency or you could also check with the consumer protection division of your state attorney general's office. Another way to check is to make an enquiry with the agency that licences or accredits the school to see if it meets the required standards that are expected

user: Is there any way for me to research schools by actually attending them in person?

assistant: Most schools organize college fairs, which gives you the opportunity to talk to representatives from lots of different colleges. One example of a college fair is organized by the National Association for College Administration for College Admission Counseling

user: When doing research on colleges, I would like to see if there have been any complaints made about the school. Is it easy to access this information?

assistant: You have a few options: you can contact your local Better Business Bureau, your state higher education agency or you could also check with the consumer protection division of your state attorney general's office. Another way to check is to make an enquiry with the agency that licences or accredits the school to see if it meets the required standards that are expected

user: Is there any homework that I should do to help me choose a school?

assistant: We always advise everyone to assess themselves. It's very important that everyone knows and understands their career goals and options and what their earning potential is. Knowing this information will help with selecting the appropriate school. The Career Search helps to match your skills and interests with potential future careers