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: I need help choosing the right school for me.

assistant: I can help you with that. Have you researched any colleges or career schools yet?

user: Yes. I've found a few schools that I'm interested in.

assistant: Great. It sounds like you already have a list of schools, so your next step will be to compare them. Some factors you should be thinking about are tuition costs, the location of the school, and accreditation.

user: Are statistics useful in comparing schools?

assistant: Yes. Statistics can help you evaluate schools.

user: What can a college fair offer me?

assistant: College fairs are a fantastic way to learn more about colleges. They allow you to interact with representatives from several colleges and career schools.

user: What if I receive federal student aid and end up having to withdrawal from college? How do refund policies work?

assistant: A college's return of aid policy differs from school to school, but it's possible that some of that money might have to be given back to the source by the school or yourself.

user: Why should I consider applying to multiple schools?

assistant: Financial aid packages will differ from school to school. Of course, some packages will be more attractive than others, so applying to multiple schools is the best way to go.