Programs Offered and Rankings

Not all colleges offer the same fields of study. There might be a college near to you that you want to attend, but that college might not offer the program that you want. You’ll need to make sure the college has an offering available for the career you intend to pursue. Also, make sure to research the quality of the program. You’ll want to find out if the professors are knowledgeable, what other students have to say about the program and what the rate of employability has been in the past for students graduating the program. The college itself might be able to help provide you with obtaining the employability rate information.

Cost

One of the things that most people need to consider when thinking about attending college is the cost of tuition and book fees. There is usually always a way to pay for college, but some people will need to apply for financial aid or student loans in order to pursue their further education goals. Tuition is usually based on the credit hours that you take each semester, and at least one book will usually need to be purchased with each course.

Location

When thinking about college, you’ll have to consider if you want to drive back and forth to attend classes or whether it’d be best to stay on campus. If you live more than two or three hours from classes, choosing to stay on campus might be your best option. However, if you’re an adult returning to college who already has obligations to work and family life, commuting to classes might be the better option. You may also need to pick a college that is close to your home and workplace.

Room and Board Costs and Arrangements

If you need to stay on campus to attend, keep in mind the room and board arrangements. You may need to stay with another student in the room. You’ll need to know if there’s a waiting list for accommodations as well.

Transferability of Credits

All the hard work can pay off tremendously when you achieve the goal of getting your degree, but you’ll want to make sure before you attend a certain college that the educational institution you like is accredited by a regional accrediting agency. If the college is not accredited, there is a good chance that the credits you accumulate may not transfer in the event you want to further your education. You’d hate to spend all that money on college credits just to find out the credits won’t do you any good in the next program you embark upon. Do some research, or better yet, ask the student enrollment office at the college whether their institution is accredited by a regional agency. CHEA has a list of accrediting agencies on their website.

Attending college can be a great decision to make. As you can see, there are just a few things to think about when you're planning on furthering your education.