How to Determine Which School to Attend
In 2019, approximately 19.6 million people were enrolled in college in the United States. There were over 3,900 higher education institutions in that same academic year. There are many options for interested students to attend college or university, so how do you narrow it down to a few good options? Start with answering these questions and being honest with yourself as you evaluate your plans and goals.
What are Your Educational Options?
There are several options for continuing your education, evaluating all the options and understanding the differences is the first step towards figuring out which one is right for you.
Community College
For students starting their college career or looking for an associate's degree community college may be the best choice. These colleges are quite affordable and can be used to finish the first two years of college before transferring the credits to a four-year college and completing your degree.
Colleges & Universities
Colleges and universities are a common choice for those looking for a four-year undergraduate or graduate degree. Courses can be taken online or in-person and there are several sub-types of colleges and universities to choose from.
Did you know? The main difference between a college and a university is the program they offer? Universities offer graduate programs while colleges usually offer undergraduate programs only.
Public
These institutions are state-funded, and with the use of the Post-9/11 GI Bill®, eligible military-connected students can have all tuition and fees paid directly to the school.
Private, Non-Profit
Private schools are funded by tuition and fees and fundraising. Those using the Post-9/11 GI Bill can receive up to the maximum dollar amount paid to the school, but can also use the VA's Yellow Ribbon Program if they are eligible.
Private, For-Profit
These schools are funded by tuition and fees and are operated as a business looking to make a profit. The same maximum amount can be paid to the school for students using the Post-9/11 GI Bill and the Yellow Ribbon Program may also be used here, for those eligible.
Read more about the differences in public and private nonprofit schools.
Technical/Trade Schools
Some students may be interested in attending a technical or trade school, which will provide them with the specific skills need for the occupation they are interested in. Some examples are electricians, plumbers, mechanics and software coders. The length of the program depends on the follow-on training that is required and can vary from a few months to a few years. Military-connected students can use education benefits to offset the cost of a technical or trade school.
How Should You Take Classes?
Just like there are various options for what kind of school to attend, there are also options for how to structure your education. Students can go to school full-time or part-time. The VA defines a full-time student as someone taking at least 12 credit hours. You can also attend school in-person, online or a combination -- and change your mind based on your other obligations and available time.
How Do You Decide?
When it comes to making a decision on which school to attend, the above options are helpful for narrowing things down. But then you will still be left with a lot of options. Here are some questions to ask while researching specific schools.
What schools offer the best program for your career track?
Where does your desired company or industry recruit from?
What is this school's reputation with military-connected students?
You'll also want to visit the school, talk with current students and alumni and look at their graduation rates. While each student's decision is going to depend on what is important to them, the information is available to make the very best decision possible.
Ready to learn more about navigating the higher education system as a veteran? Start here.
