If you are in the process of researching college programs and schools, you have probably come across college rankings and wondered how much they matter. At the end of the day, while these rankings might be one factor to consider as you explore your options, they often overlook what truly matters most in your college experience.
Key Takeaways
- College rankings do not tell the whole story—focus instead on academic fit, learning environment, and personal goals.
- Clarify your priorities—like career aspirations, preferred learning format (online or in-person), and support services before selecting a school.
- Dig deeper than the brochure—by exploring student life, class sizes, faculty access, and internship opportunities.
- Cost and accreditation matter—use tools like the Net Price Calculator and DAPIP to compare affordability, financial services and support, and transferability.
- Trust your instincts—choose the college that feels right for you, not just the one with the highest ranking.
Whether you plan to attend college online or in person, the purpose of this guide is to walk you through choosing the right college without relying too heavily on rankings. With these practical, easy-to-follow tips, you can get the ball rolling on your school search.
1. Clarify Your Academic and Career Goals
First, narrow down what you might want to study in school, even if you are not entirely sure just yet. From there, you may begin exploring schools with strong programs, relevant coursework, and the flexible pathways you need that align with your academic interests and preferred areas of study. If you plan to take classes online, confirm that your chosen program is available in a 100% online format, as some prerequisites or labs may be in-person only.
2. Identify Your Preferred Learning Environment
Speaking of learning formats, now is also a good time to consider whether you learn best in-person, online, or through a combination of both (hybrid). If you plan to go the online route, consider the benefits of and potential drawbacks of synchronous (live) versus asynchronous courses, especially when it comes to achieving your ideal work/life balance and your accessibility to the technology you may need.
You may also want to confirm whether the online courses offered by your school are taught by the same faculty that teach classes on campus, as this is not always the case.
3. Evaluate Campus Culture and Student Life
Even if you plan to take classes online, online students could benefit from participating in student communities. Explore options for virtual clubs, online discussion boards and other events you might be interested in attending.
For on-campus students, culture and student life are just as important. Take time to learn about a school’s traditions, diversity, campus activism, and student organizations you may be interested in joining.
4. Consider Location and Proximity to Home
Although online programs make it easy to earn credits remotely, some of these programs may still require some on-site participation in the form of labs, internships, or residencies. Likewise, many online programs offer more affordable tuition rates for in-state students.
Meanwhile, on-campus students might want to consider a potential school’s distance from home/family, the benefits of attending a school in a city versus a rural setting, and any local opportunities that may exist.
5. Research Available Majors and Academic Programs
If you already have a major chosen, be sure that your ideal program is offered at your school of choice and is available in your preferred format. If enrolling in an online program, explore the curriculum for yourself and make sure that the coursework, access to electives, and other components (including accreditation) are the same.
6. Assess Financial Aid, Scholarships, and Overall Cost
Cost is a common concern when choosing a school, so get a feel for your total cost by using a net price calculator. There are many variables that can impact the cost of attending college. Whether the institution is public or private, in-state or out of state, and if you attend online or in-person, there can be a wide range of cost differences depending on the institution, location, and learning format you choose. Remember, too, that you may be able to offset some of your education costs with employer tuition assistance, scholarships, and other financial aid.Remember, too, that you may be able to offset some of your education costs with employer tuition assistance, scholarships, and other financial aid.
7. Examine Support Services and Resources
Access to the right support and resources could help you make the most of your college experience, so be sure to research what your potential school has in place before you enroll. Some specific on-campus resources to look for include academic advising, tutoring, and mental health services (such as counseling).
For online students, be sure that your chosen school offers access to round-the-clock technical support, virtual advising, remote writing centers/tutoring, and digital library access.
8. Look Into Internship Opportunities and Career Services
Both online and on-campus students should also have access to support when it comes to locating internships and job placement opportunities relevant to their study program. Take time to inquire about this, ensuring that your school of choice has dedicated resources in place to help students find opportunities, including a career services center.
For online students, access to remote internships, virtual career fairs, and employer partnerships may also be beneficial.
9. Explore Extracurricular Activities and Clubs
Being involved in your college experience beyond academics could also make it more enjoyable, so look into on-campus and online opportunities for extracurricular involvement as you research. Clubs, athletics, honor societies, and even online networking groups could help you build a network while developing some important soft skills.
10. Connect With Current Students and Alumni
These days, there are plenty of ways to get in touch with current students and alumni, which could offer excellent insight into what to expect from the college experience. Platforms like Reddit, LinkedIn, and even Discord could help put you in touch with current and past students. Some schools may even offer virtual or on-campus events for this purpose, so take advantage!
11. Review Class Sizes and Faculty Accessibility
Researching average class sizes for your program could help you get a better feel for how much one-on-one interaction and support you may receive from your instructors. For online students, especially, it is critical to inquire as to how accessible the faculty is for questions and support. Ideally, even online instructors should offer virtual office hours for this reason.
12. Investigate Study-Abroad and Special Programs
Interested in taking your studies abroad or participating in other special opportunities (such as travel courses or honors programs)? If so, research what your school options have to offer both online and on-campus students. This may include access to international exchange programs, cross-university opportunities, and even virtual global classrooms.
13. Reflect on Campus Safety and Wellness Services
Safety and wellness should be top priorities when choosing a school, whether you attend online or in person. For those planning to take courses on campus, take time to research your school’s physical safety measures and wellness facilities. Online students may want to consider a school’s digital well-being support, teletherapy for mental health, and even emergency protocols for remote learners.
14. Visit Campuses (Virtually or In-Person)
A campus tour could be a great way to learn about your chosen school’s culture and help you determine whether the school itself is a good fit for your needs. Even if you cannot attend an on-campus tour, many schools might set up virtual tours where you could enjoy an online “walk-through” of the campus and a tour of learning platforms or student support portals.
15. Trust Your Instincts and Personal Fit
Once you have completed your research, take time to reflect on the experience and consider what truly feels right for you without deference to school rankings. Be sure to think long-term here, considering whether you believe the school/program may help you feel supported and challenged in your academic journey.
16. Confirm Accreditation and Transfer Credit Policies
Accreditation is crucial when choosing the right college. To confirm that the school you are considering has been institutionally accredited, use the Department of Education’s Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP).
Suppose you have any credits from a previous school or plan to pursue an advanced degree later on. In that case, it may also be a good idea to meet with an academic advisor to review credit transfer policies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Explore answers to some of the most common college choice questions below.
Do college rankings matter?
While there is nothing wrong with using college rankings as a supplement to your own research, the reality is that these rankings often fail to take into consideration all the factors that matter most, including student-specific goals and learning preferences. Plus, the authorities that publish these lists are not always consistent in the methodologies they use to rank schools. Some schools have even been known to manipulate data to improve their rankings.
What should I do if my family wants me to prioritize rankings?
Ultimately, the decisions related to college are yours to make. Unless your family is supporting your education financially, you do not necessarily owe anybody in your family an explanation for why you chose a particular school. If you want to help your family see why rankings are not the be-all and end-all, you could explain to them how many of these rating systems work, the factors they focus on, and the important considerations they may fail to consider.
Are there reliable alternatives to college ranking lists for research?
Yes, there are some reliable and objective third-party alternatives for you to explore for information as you research your school options. The College Scorecard, for example, is a free platform that allows you to search for colleges using specific filters (like location, cost, and degree type). This platform is offered directly through the U.S. Department of Education and is powered by survey data submitted by educational institutions, as well as data from other sources. This data can be used to help compare institutions you are considering in a side-by-side format, but it does not include many of the other important qualitative aspects that we have shared in this guide.
How can I assess a college’s culture without visiting in person?
It may not be feasible to visit a college in person, especially if you live far away or will be attending online. The good news is that many schools now offer virtual tours, allowing you to experience a college campus from the comfort of your home. You may also get a feel for a school by checking out the content on their social media page and speaking to current or past students.
Is it okay to change my mind after choosing a college?
You can change your mind, as being admitted into a college program is not a legally binding agreement. At the same time, it is ideal to make your choice and stick with it, as some schools’ enrollment deposits and other fees may be non-refundable. This is yet another reason why choosing the right college from the start is so important!
Find Your Right Fit at Post University
With more than 50 programs to choose from, including both online and on-campus options, Post University is proud to be ranked among the nation’s Top Places to Work and Learn. Beyond rankings, of course, we offer comprehensive and student-centered support, plenty of financial aid options, and other resources to help students make the most of their education.
Learn more about what sets us apart by reaching out today or get started with your online application here!
Thank you for reading! The purpose of this blog is to provide general information to the reader, and as such, this information may not directly relate to programs offered by Post University.
Please note jobs and/or career outcomes highlighted in this blog do not reflect jobs or career outcomes expected from enrolling in or graduating from any Post program.