How to pick the right college. (And save money.)

What does picking the right college have to do with saving money? A lot, it seems. 

Think about it. Let's say that you end up hating your college choice. You decide to transfer to the new college of your dreams. Realistically, you can expect to lose some of the credits you've already earned in the transfer, and have new graduation requirements at your new school that can lengthen your college stay. Both of these probabilities will cost you money. 

The easy answer? 

Pick the right college to begin with and you'll save money. 

To help you with this process (because I know it's a big decision), I've come up with some common criteria that you should consider before you make a choice:

1. Size: 

Would you feel comfortable at a small campus (Less than 5,000 students), a medium-sized (5-15,000), or large campus (15,000+)? Obviously, life on a large campus is extremely different than life with only 2,000 other students. For a good comparison, read this article on The College Board: Big vs. Small College.

2. Location: 

Do you like warm weather and hate the winter? Prefer an urban over country lifestyle? What kind of scenery do you like? While this may seem superficial (don’t we go to college for our education?!?), the ambiance is important: if you don’t feel comfortable where you live, you’re going to have a hard time concentrating on school. Pick a college in an area you like.

3. Interests: 

Most of your college learning will take place outside the classroom. That being said, it’s important that your college offer a set of extra-curricular activities that meet your needs and interests. Be sure to research each campus, and match your interests accordingly.

4. Instructors: 

If you’re ahead of the curve and have a major (good job!), you might want to attend a campus with professors who’ve made significant contributions to your field of study.

5. Recognition: 

Perhaps you want to attend a school that has “name brand recognition.” I recommend checking out the U.S. News and World Report’s College Ranking Guide. Sure, the rankings are subjective. But, it’s a place to start.

6. Culture: 

You may be seeking a college that has a certain cultural or religious affiliation. Perhaps you want to attend an all-women or all-men campus. These desires are important to keep in mind. As yourself what kind of campus culture or affiliation you want, and pick accordingly.

7. Cost: 

While I don’t believe that cost of attendance should be the deciding factor, it is something to consider when making a decision. Before you decide, consider the cost of attending and the cost of living in the city where your potential college is located.

If you're still confused about picking a college, consider using an online college matching service like My U Search or Xap. These online matching services will do the hard work for you, by matching colleges to your interests.

The most important thing about college is that you feel comfortable at your school. When you feel comfortable on campus, you'll learn more, experience more, and most likely stay where you started. The result? A lot of money in your pocket.