Does the College You Go to Matter?

There are many factors that go into determining which college you’d like to attend, such as cost, class size, and available majors. For some applicants, a college’s ranking, status, or perceived prestige may be additional factors. 

If you find yourself asking whether the college you go to matters, you may want to more closely consider what kind of experience you’d like from your education and focus your research accordingly. Getting clear about what you want out of your education can help you hone in on colleges that will help you achieve your goals.  

Discover more about whether the college you go to matters, and how to make the best choice about deciding which college to attend. 

Does the college you go to matter?

This question tends to come up when someone has concerns about a university’s name recognition or perceived reputation. An education is an investment and certain universities—like private, elite schools—are thought to lead to more employment opportunities. In fact, studies do show that elite university graduates tend to earn higher-paying salaries, so a college’s name brand can be a boon on your resume [1]. 

That being said, choosing a college solely on brand recognition leaves out many other important considerations. The college you go to ultimately does matter as long when it’s the right fit for you. Attending an elite, private university will not be a good idea for every student because each one has different needs and priorities. What’s important, therefore, is understanding your educational priorities so you can find colleges that will be the best fit possible for you.

Determine your priorities when picking a college.

As you set about researching colleges to attend, consider the list below and begin identifying the factors that stand out as your top priorities. Write out a list, starting with your most important priorities and ending with your least important priorities. 

• Cost of attendance

• Available majors

• Class sizes

• Faculty reputation

• Academic rigor 

• Student support services 

• Location 

• In-person, online, or hybrid courses 

• Internship and career resources

• Scheduling flexibility  

• Alumni network 

• School ranking and reputation

Once you begin your research, try to figure out how each college fits your needs based on the priorities you’ve identified. For example, if class size is your most important priority and you see that a school you’re considering has larger student-to-faculty ratios, then you may not want to apply there. 

How to choose the right college for you

Let’s dive more deeply into some of the key factors that you’ll want to consider when determining the best college to attend for your goals. 

In-person vs. online 

While not every school offers majors in both types, you may want to figure out how you want to attend your classes. Do you want the camaraderie of an in-person experience, or would you prefer the flexibility of online courses? 

• In-person: Learning in-person can be useful if you prefer a more routine schedule and want the opportunity for more face-to-face interactions. Keep in mind that earning your degree at an in-person institution will require you to live on campus or commute to campus. 

• Online: If you choose to go to an online college, you’ll have the opportunity for a more flexible schedule. This can be ideal if you’re working or have other commitments that makes it hard to attend a set, in-person class each week. 

Available majors

Not every major is available at every school, so if you already know what you’d like to study, it’s a good idea to make sure the schools you’d like to attend offer it. 

Before choosing a school, you can also spend time reviewing the department or program that houses your major to make sure the overall course of study aligns with what you’d like to learn. You may want to look for the types of classes you’ll take, any niche areas you may get the chance to learn about, and the quality of the faculty you will be working with.

If you’re not yet sure what you’d like to major in, consider reviewing the most popular majors for ideas or following our guide What Should I Major In? 

Campus life

Your experience at college can include more than academics. Think about how you want to spend your time outside of class and the experiences or skills you’d like to cultivate, such as attending sporting events, joining student clubs, developing a new passion, or leading a volunteer group. Then, review the kind of student life included in your potential colleges and universities.  

If campus life is a big priority for you, you’ll want to choose colleges and universities that offer a wide range of extracurricular activities and opportunities, which can be a great way to meet fellow students, network, or develop a new passion or skill. 

Faculty

What you learn—and how you learn it—will depend, in part, on the caliber of faculty who teach your classes. If you’re interested in learning from the best professors, then you may want to seek out schools that employ top faculty in your chosen field. 

Keep in mind class size. Do you want to learn in a smaller class setting where you may get more one-on-one time with your professor, or are you open to large or virtual settings? Faculty teach in a variety of different ways, so it’s important to understand how you’ll engage with your professors. 

Cost of attendance 

The cost of college—which typically includes the cost of tuition, fees, books and materials, and other cost of living factors—will differ depending on the type of institution you’re interested in attending: a public or private four-year institution.  

If cost is a high priority for you, then you’ll need to consider how much the schools you’re interested in attending cost, what kind of financial support or resources they offer, and what your overall financial plan for your education is. Would you prefer to graduate with minimal (or no) student debt, or are you comfortable accruing some debt from a more costly institution? 

Attending college offers many benefits, making it a valuable investment in your personal and professional development. There are also many different ways to pay for college, including financial aid, scholarships, jobs, tuition reimbursement, or beginning at a two-year junior or community college before transferring to a larger institution to finish your bachelor’s degree. 

Read more: What to Do If You Can’t Afford College

Location

Where you choose to attend college will also be an important consideration. Some students like to stay closer to home to reduce costs, while others seek out new cities. Each one comes with different benefits and costs. 

If you’d like to stay close to home, you’ll want to think about how long of a commute you’ll have or if you’ll be required to live on campus for any portion of your degree program. If you prefer to move away from home, you’ll need to take relocation and travel costs into account. 

Networking potential

Networking is an important way to make connections for your personal and professional development. Attending a college or university with more students and on-campus activities may increase your opportunity to network with others in your field of study, which can lead to career options after you graduate. 

If you’re interested in networking, then you may want to focus on institutions with large alumni networks—or institutions that offer many networking events so you can meet and connect with other students and graduates. 

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