How To Choose a College: Essential Steps To Follow

Your choice of college will shape your academic credentials and potentially influence your future career. Your school will also serve as your new community and your home away from home. Selecting a college is one of the biggest decisions you'll make in your academic life, so it's important to choose one that is a good fit for you.

When considering how to choose a college that meets your needs, it’s a good idea to define your college criteria early on. Know what to look for, such as a degree program that appeals to you and campus life opportunities that will keep you engaged. As you do your research, keep in mind that some of your criteria may be “must-haves” while others may be “nice-to-haves.”

In This Article:

• What To Look for in a College: Must-Haves
• Additional Things To Look for in a College
• How To Research Colleges
• Why GCU Fulfills Your College Criteria
• Start Your College Journey

What To Look for in a College: Must-Haves

These must-have items are the most essential factors to consider when choosing a school. The key things to look for in a college include academics, financials and campus life.

Degree Programs

By this point, you likely know which fields of study capture your interest. Some students may even know exactly which career they plan to pursue. Even if you only have a general idea of the types of fields that might suit you best (e.g., STEM or humanities), you can use this preference to determine which college on your list could be right for you.

Research the college’s academic reputation regarding the fields that interest you. Check out the available degree programs and consider whether any speak to you. You might also search the course catalog to examine individual course offerings for various degree programs, and you might consider the available minors.

Costs and Financial Aid

Costs are an important concern for students and their parents. Early on in your college search process, you should sit down with your parent(s) or guardian(s) to have a discussion about financials. What do they expect they can contribute to your college education?

Next, you’ll want to assess the tuition rates, housing costs and other fees for the schools on your list. Keep in mind, however, that students often don’t pay the full price for their college education. There are plenty of financial aid options available.

One important step in how to choose a college is to assess the financial aid and scholarship offers from the various schools you’ve applied to. Other sources of financial aid could include:

• Federal student grants and loans
• State student grants and loans
• Private scholarships

Campus Environment or Online Flexibility

High school graduates often look forward to taking their first major step toward independence by living away from home on a college campus — whether it’s an hour away from home or thousands of miles. If you’re an on-campus student, your school isn’t just where you’ll attend classes; it’s also your home away from home. It’s important to select a school where you’ll feel comfortable.

Attending on-campus classes isn’t necessarily right for every student, however. If you’re leaning toward being an online student, consider whether your choice of school offers the flexibility to earn your degree online. Keep in mind that some degrees may require an on-campus presence at least part of the time, while others are 100% online.

Additional Things To Look for in a College

When considering college, you’ll also have some items on your list that are “nice-to-haves.” That is, they aren’t necessarily deal-makers (or deal-breakers), but they may add to the appeal of a particular school.

Academic Support Services

Your college years will be a unique and special time in your life, and you’ll want to make the most of them. One way to optimize the college experience is to choose a school that offers robust academic support services. Consider whether the college offers:

• Tutoring services, including specialty tutoring for certain subjects or fields
• A very well-stocked library
• Technical support 
• Assistance with college-level writing

Career Services

College education is designed to teach a variety of transferable skills, like critical thinking and communication. Many degree programs are also oriented toward a specific career field or pathway, such as nursing or engineering. 

No matter where your future lies, you can benefit from attending a college that focuses on career services. A school’s career services department may assist you in identifying part-time job and internship opportunities, hosting career fairs and helping you practice your job interview skills.

Extracurricular and Social Opportunities

It may take a lot of hard work to get good grades in college, but rest and relaxation are also important. Check out the school’s extracurricular activities, clubs and intramurals. 

You might also consider researching amenities near the school, such as attractions that interest you in the surrounding town. For example, if you’re an avid hiker, you may be more interested in attending a school close to nature trails.

How To Research Colleges

The process of researching colleges may seem a bit daunting. Even when you know what to look for in a college, how do you go about the process? The following steps can get you started:

Explore College Websites

One of the first things you should do when researching different schools is to conduct an in-depth exploration of their websites. Pay particular attention to the pages of different colleges and degree programs that interest you, but also look for links to:

• Residential life/housing accommodations
• Dining options
• Spiritual life
• Student engagement/extracurriculars
• Student success resources
• Admission requirements and processes
• Tuition and financial aid

You may wish to take some notes as you proceed so you can easily refer to them later. Make a note of anything that impresses you, and write down any questions that occur. (You'll want to keep those questions handy when you contact a university counselor later on.)

Schedule Campus Tours

Once you’ve narrowed down your list of schools to a handful of choices, you’ll want to schedule some campus tours. Talk to your parent(s) or guardian(s) about visiting colleges. 

It’s ideal to visit colleges during the semester whenever possible, as you’ll be able to see what it’s like to attend any given school. However, visiting during the summer break can also be helpful. Take a tour, ask questions and check out the dining options.

Talk to Current Students and Alumni

While you're touring colleges, try to talk to current students. Ask them about their degree program and if they're satisfied with their choice of school (and why or why not). You might also ask the tour guide if you can connect with any alumni for a quick chat.

Why GCU Fulfills Your College Criteria

In Fall 2024, GCU had a total enrollment of over 123,000 — with more than 24,600 students on campus and over 98,300 learning online.¹ Grand Canyon University is the school of choice for many.¹ Could it also be everything you’re looking for in a school?

Consider the following:

Academic Quality

GCU is an institutionally accredited university — a designation that reflects our commitment to maintaining high standards of academic quality across all of our degree programs and colleges. Our private university has been continuously accredited by the Higher Learning Commission since 1968. 

In addition, many of our individual degree programs have received programmatic accreditation. Each of our colleges is dedicated to upholding the standards established by our accrediting bodies.

Affordability and Financial Aid

Although GCU is a private school, we remain committed to offering an affordable education to all. In fact, while many other schools routinely raise their rates, our campus tuition rate has remained locked for the past 16 years as of 2024. In addition, GCU offers many financial aid options to our students to help make higher education more accessible.

Vibrant Campus Life and Flexible Online Options

Located in the heart of Phoenix, Arizona, GCU's vibrant campus is a true oasis in the desert. You'll find a variety of housing options, dining choices and extracurriculars, including club sports. Plus, our Department of Spiritual Life can support you as you strive to grow closer to God.

Many of GCU’s students attend classes online from points near and far. You’ll find numerous online degree options that are available 100% online, as well as some hybrid options. It’s all part of our commitment to enhance academic accessibility by meeting our students where they are.

Start Your College Journey

Are you ready to begin your college journey at Grand Canyon University? Explore our bachelor’s degree options today and check out the online learning experience. Connect with a university counselor by filling out the form on this page.