During your college search, you’ll almost certainly receive a slew of college pamphlets in the mail, college marketing will flood your social media pages and favorite websites, and you may even have emails from admissions offices piling up in your inbox. With so much information available, it might be tough to know where to begin your search for good universities. You’re not just curious about the greatest universities in general; you’re also curious about which one’s best for you.

While the reasons for choosing a University differ from person to person, there are four key things to consider while looking for the ideal college.

A wide choice of academic programmes offered

The diversity and quality of a university’s academic programmes is perhaps the most obvious thing to look for in a school. Campus cultures are more diversified at Universities that provide a diverse range of majors. Furthermore, if you haven’t completely nailed down your professional choice before enrolling in your first college courses, it permits you to study alternative subjects. A college with a strong reputation in a particular field of study can provide you with excellent teachers, research possibilities, and industry connections for internships, networking, and employment prospects.

Degrees that go beyond job preparation

You’ve decided to seek one or more college degrees in order to obtain a job, advance in your current one, or change careers. But why should it end there? Look for a college that offers more than just basic career preparation. Find one that will not only prepare you for a profession, but also for life, by providing you with ethical decision-making and critical-thinking abilities, as well as a better grasp of and answers to social concerns.

A culture that will make your college experience better

The campus culture of an institution is crucial because you will be spending a lot of time there. College life is what you make of it, you can join almost any student club on campus, and if you can’t, you can establish one yourself but the campus culture is crucial. Many people claim that after spending the day on campus, they realized that the university was the ideal fit for them.

Financial aid offices that are helpful

Now all that’s left is to figure out how much a good institution will cost and how much financial help it will provide. According to the College Board, the average tuition and fees for the 2016–17 school year were $33,480 at private institutions, $9,650 for state residents at public colleges, and $24,930 for out-of-state residents attending public universities. These prices exclude room and board, which might add another $10,000–$15,000 to your tab.

It’s easy to get caught up with the price of a college education. Check out each college’s average financial aid packages before letting it halt your selection of colleges and universities. Financial assistance can sometimes decrease the cost of attending in half or more. Colleges that are good engage with students and their families to make education more affordable.

So, how do you find out which colleges are the BEST?

Well, some research will help a lot. Give college rankings some clout, but don’t totally rely on them. Some internet might be beneficial when you understand what majors are available where and what each college costs. After that, the greatest thing you can do is go to each college’s website. Read the student and teacher essentials, as well as the list of employers where alumni work. Get the real scoop from a university’s social media pages, where students and alumni give their candid opinions. Examine the tone of the college’s website and social media sites to see if it sounds friendly and welcoming or transactional and distant.

When you find colleges that have those three characteristics: reputable and diverse academic programmes, a focus on educating a person, and a campus culture that is the envy of all other colleges plus a willingness to work with you on the price tag, you’ve found a good University, where you can expand your knowledge, become involved in a community, learn about yourself, and go on to lead a successful professional and personal life.