In this blog post you will learn the personal factors of choosing a college.
Choosing a college isn’t as scary as you think it is. I’m going to show you the personal factors you should look into when choosing a college either for creating a college list for applications to making a final college decision. In another previous post, I talked about the academic side of picking a college, but it is also great to consider that your college checks off the majority of your personal preferences. It is okay if your college does not check all your personal preferences, just the majority of them or preferences you prioritized. Not every college is perfect and sometimes going to your dream college is over romanticized, just as long as you make the most out of it!
Choosing a College on Personal Preferences: Campus Size
When choosing a college, one of the most important personal preferences to consider is campus size. How many undergraduate students are enrolled? The size of a college can greatly impact your academic experience, campus culture, and access to resources. Keep in mind that undergraduate enrollment varies significantly, especially between public universities, private institutions, and liberal arts colleges.
So, ask yourself—do you prefer a small or large college?
Small Colleges
Smaller institutions foster a close-knit community where students often build strong relationships with classmates and faculty. With smaller class sizes, you may have more opportunities for direct engagement with course material, personalized feedback from professors, and meaningful discussions. Additionally, competition for research, internships, and leadership positions may be lower, allowing for greater individual opportunities.
Large Colleges
Larger universities, on the other hand, provide a wider network of people to connect with and more diverse opportunities across academic programs, extracurriculars, and research. They often have extensive resources, including specialized facilities, study-abroad options, and a broader range of course offerings. Big colleges also tend to offer a more traditional college experience, with spirited athletics, large-scale events, and bustling campus life.
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: A Key Consideration
Beyond total enrollment, it’s also important to consider the student-to-faculty ratio. While a school may have a large undergraduate population, a lower student-to-faculty ratio means more individualized attention from professors. This can enhance learning, provide stronger mentorship, and create better opportunities for research, networking, and recommendation letters. Conversely, a higher ratio may result in larger lectures and less direct interaction with faculty, though big universities often provide additional support systems such as teaching assistants and academic advising.
Ultimately, choosing between a small or large college depends on your learning preferences, career goals, and ideal college experience. Do you thrive in a tight-knit, personalized environment, or do you prefer the energy and vast opportunities of a larger university? Understanding these factors will help you determine the best academic and social fit for your college journey.
Choosing a College on Personal Preferences: Campus Location
When selecting a college, campus location plays a crucial role in shaping your academic and personal experience. The setting—whether rural, suburban, or urban—can significantly influence your opportunities, lifestyle, and future career prospects. Fortunately, our nation offers a diverse range of colleges located in various environments, each with its own set of advantages.
Rural, Suburban, or Urban?
First, think about the type of environment where you’d feel most comfortable. Would you prefer the tranquility and natural beauty of a rural area, or do you thrive in the hustle and bustle of an urban center? Or, are you someone who seeks a balance in a suburban setting? These preferences will affect not just your daily life, but also your access to resources, career opportunities, and social experiences.
Rural Locations
Some students are drawn to rural campuses for their peaceful, slower pace of life and close-knit communities. Living in a rural area often means lower housing costs and a stronger connection to nature. But it can also come with fewer entertainment options, job opportunities, and the challenge of being far from urban centers. For those who enjoy a quiet, focused academic environment and don’t mind the slower pace, rural campuses offer a unique charm.
Urban Locations
On the other hand, urban campuses often offer more immediate access to a wide range of career opportunities, cultural activities, and diverse social scenes. For example, a campus in a metropolitan area may open doors to internships with large companies, local events, and networking opportunities that are simply unavailable in rural settings. If you’re planning on pursuing a career in entertainment, technology, or business, an urban location could be the key to accessing industry giants. For example, the University of Southern California (USC), located in Los Angeles, offers unparalleled connections to Hollywood and the entertainment industry, while San José State University (SJSU) in Silicon Valley provides access to top tech companies and startups.
Suburban Locations
For those who seek the best of both worlds, suburban campuses offer a balance. These schools provide the proximity to urban centers without the overwhelming hustle of city life. A suburban setting may offer a quieter environment for studying and living, while still being close enough to a city to enjoy its benefits—whether it’s job prospects, cultural events, or networking.
Specific Programs & Location Synergy
In addition to lifestyle preferences, the location of a campus can significantly influence academic opportunities. For example, California State University, Monterey Bay (CSUMB) is ideally situated near the Monterey Bay Aquarium and the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, making it an excellent choice for students pursuing Marine Biology. Similarly, SJSU’s location in Silicon Valley offers business students an unbeatable chance to connect with tech firms, venture capitalists, and startups.
Long-Term Considerations
It’s also worth considering what kind of location you’d be interested in settling in for the long term. Will you eventually move to a big city, or do you plan to settle in a more rural or suburban environment? If you’re someone who values quick access to big city opportunities, you might thrive in an urban location. But if you’re someone who values space, lower costs, and a slower pace of life, a suburban or rural area might be more to your liking.
In the end, the location of your college campus can shape not just your educational journey but your lifestyle, career opportunities, and future aspirations. Consider what environment aligns with your preferences, both now and for the years to come.
Choosing a College on Personal Preferences: Campus Life
When considering a college, it’s important to look beyond academics and think about campus life. What kinds of student activities are available? While Hollywood often paints a picture of universities filled with lively Greek life, roaring football games, and constant social events, the reality is that not all colleges fit this mold.
Student Activities: What’s Offered on Campus?
The presence of Greek life, football teams, and massive school spirit is often exaggerated in movies, and many colleges don’t have these traditions at all. In fact, some colleges don’t even have football teams or a significant Greek life presence. However, just because a campus doesn’t have these features doesn’t mean it’s lacking in student activities. Every college has its own set of clubs, organizations, events, and traditions. Some schools may have robust arts scenes, academic clubs, or a thriving music or theater community. Others may focus on community service, leadership development, or professional organizations.
What matters most is what you’re interested in! If Greek life or football isn’t important to you, don’t worry. The key is finding out what is available—be it student government, cultural organizations, intramural sports, or other niche interests—and determining how active those activities are on campus. The more opportunities for involvement, the more vibrant the campus social life tends to be. But remember, even if a particular activity isn’t available, you can always start something on your own, whether it’s a club, a group for a shared interest, or an event.
Commuter vs. Residential Colleges: Social Life Differences
Another major factor that influences campus life is whether the college is a commuter or residential school. These two types of campuses tend to have very different social atmospheres.
- Residential Colleges: These schools are designed with the “college experience” in mind, where the majority of students live on campus or within the surrounding college town. This creates a strong sense of community and provides more opportunities for socializing, hanging out with friends, and participating in spontaneous events. Residential colleges often have more amenities like dining halls, recreational centers, and residence halls that serve as hubs for social activity. If you’re seeking a lively, close-knit college environment, residential colleges are more likely to offer that.
- Commuter Colleges: In contrast, commuter colleges, which include many community colleges and those in suburban or rural areas, often have a different vibe. Many students live off-campus and may commute from nearby areas. This means that while the academic experience might be just as rigorous, the social experience can be quieter, with fewer opportunities for spontaneous interaction. However, commuter colleges can also offer more flexible class schedules, which may be a draw for students who work or have other commitments. The social scene is often more local and based on specific programs or activities rather than the campus as a whole.
Ultimately, how you engage with campus life depends on what you’re looking for. Do you want a vibrant, campus-centered social life with lots of activities, or are you more focused on academics and prefer flexibility? Some students thrive in the energy of residential schools, while others enjoy the quieter, more independent experience of commuting. Whatever your preference, it’s important to find a school that matches the kind of college experience you want.
Choosing a College on Personal Preferences: Affordability & Financial Aid
The Biggest Factor: The Cost of College
When it comes to choosing a college, cost is the undeniable elephant in the room for most families. We all know that college isn’t cheap, and unfortunately, it varies for everyone. The tough reality is that sometimes students get into their dream school, only to find that the price tag is not what they expected. And while it might feel like a setback, many students find that attending a similar school with a much lower cost can be just as fulfilling. In fact, I’ve seen many students attend a school for a year, only to realize that the financial burden was too much, leading them to transfer to a more affordable option.
The key here is avoiding that shock at the start by having a clear understanding of what tuition looks like, and planning ahead for the long term. Tuition is not a one-size-fits-all number—it varies not only between private and public institutions but also between different public universities.
Public Schools: Cost Differences Between In-State vs. Out-of-State
One common misconception is that public schools are always more affordable than private ones. While public schools do tend to be more affordable, not all public universities are cheap, especially when it comes to out-of-state tuition. For example:
- California State University (CSU) tuition for California residents is around $6,084 per year (2024-2025).
- University of California (UC) tuition for California residents is significantly higher, around $14,934 per year.
This is just the tuition cost for California residents. But what if you want to go to a school out-of-state? That’s where things can get tricky.
Take a look at these examples of out-of-state tuition costs:
- University of Hawaii Manoa: For residents, tuition is $11,304; for out-of-state students, it jumps to $33,336.
- University of Washington in Seattle: For residents, tuition is $12,643; for out-of-state students, it’s a whopping $41,997.
As you can see, tuition for out-of-state students can be significantly higher—sometimes more than three times the cost for residents! This can make a major impact on your financial planning. So, if you’re thinking of attending an out-of-state school, make sure to weigh the cost carefully.
Private Schools: Higher, But Consistent
Private universities generally have higher tuition fees than public universities. However, the big difference is that tuition tends to be the same for both residents and out-of-state students. Some examples of tuition at well-known private institutions include:
- University of Southern California (USC): Tuition is around $68,237 for the 2023-2024 academic year.
- Harvard University: Tuition is about $59,076.
- New York University (NYU): Tuition is roughly $60,438.
- University of Miami: Tuition costs about $59,926.
It’s crucial to recognize that while private schools tend to have a set tuition, they also often provide generous financial aid packages to help offset the costs. However, even with financial aid, the sticker price can still be daunting, and not all students can rely on these funds.
Grants vs. Loans in Financial Aid Packages
Some colleges proudly advertise that a high percentage of their students receive financial aid—but what they don’t always clarify is what kind of aid. “Financial aid” can include loans, which have to be paid back with interest. That can be misleading if you assume it all means free money.
On the other hand, grants are money you don’t have to repay, which makes them more valuable. But even then, it’s important to consider how much grant aid you’re actually getting. For example, if a college gives you a $500 grant but tuition is $40,000 a year, that’s barely a dent.
So yes, grants are great—but the key is looking at how they compare to the total cost of attendance. Always ask: “What’s the net cost after grants and scholarships?”
How Financial Aid Varies Between Colleges
Your financial aid package will also vary depending on the college you attend. Grants and scholarships provided by the campus itself may differ, meaning you could receive more financial aid at UC Berkeley compared to UC Santa Cruz, or at the University of Washington-Seattle compared to UW-Tacoma. Even though these schools are part of the same university systems, each campus has its own budget and financial aid resources, which can influence your aid package.
Financial Aid for Low-Income Students
It’s also worth noting that some university systems, such as the University of California (UC) system, have set financial aid packages for low-income students. For example, if you’re a California resident whose family earns less than $80,000 a year, you may qualify for the Blue and Gold Scholarship, which covers your tuition—but not other fees or room and board—if you meet other eligibility criteria. This can make a significant difference for eligible students at UC schools. Similarly, many Ivy League schools have a need-blind admission policy for U.S. students, which means they will meet your demonstrated financial need. If your family earns below a certain threshold (usually around $65,000 to $100,000, depending on the school), they may offer a no-loan financial aid package that replaces loans with grants, reducing the financial burden.
The Role of College Prestige in Financial Aid
This is where the name and prestige of the college can play a role. Schools with large endowments, like Ivy League schools, have the resources to offer more generous financial aid packages, especially for students with financial need. While the bigger the name, the more likely you’ll see a larger financial aid offer, not every prestigious school offers aid in the same way. Be sure to evaluate your own financial needs and how much aid the school is offering relative to your tuition and living expenses.
Financial Aid Conclusion
The cost of college should be one of the most important factors in your decision-making process. By understanding the different types of tuition and comparing the costs between in-state, out-of-state, and private schools, you can better plan and make an informed decision. Always remember that tuition isn’t the only cost—there are also living expenses, textbooks, fees, and other factors to consider. And while it’s tempting to chase that “dream school,” it’s essential to think long-term about what will work best for your finances and well-being. The goal is to make the right choice for both your education and your bank account.
Another important factor to consider is that each college will offer a different amount of financial aid when you receive your financial aid package after being admitted. All colleges claim to provide a significant amount of financial aid to their students, but keep in mind that they often include loans as part of that aid. Loans are borrowed money that you’ll need to pay back, and it’s essential to minimize the amount you borrow because some loans begin accumulating interest immediately or after you graduate.
Choosing a College on Personal Preferences: Final Thoughts
In this blog post, I covered key personal preferences to consider when choosing a college — things like location, affordability, campus culture, and more. I hope you found a few factors you hadn’t thought about before. And remember: there’s no such thing as a perfect college — just the one that’s right for you.
If you’re comparing schools for your college list or trying to make that final decision, check out my College List Tracker in the store! It’ll help you stay organized and on top of your applications as well.
Liked this post? Don’t miss the first part of this series, where I go over academic factors to consider when choosing a college and other blog posts you may find resourceful!