Best College Guide - How to Use

Find Your Perfect College Match - Free & Anonymous

Navigate 6,500+ Colleges with Confidence

Our comprehensive form helps you filter through the overwhelming number of college options using official US Department of Education data. Skip irrelevant questions, emphasize what matters most to you, and get a personalized list of colleges that match your preferences.

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The form contains carefully designed questions about what matters most when choosing a college. The US Department of Education's College Scorecard has information from over 6,500 colleges and universities in the United States. These institutions come in all shapes and sizes, so you can be very selective.

How Our System Works

The Department of Education's dataset is massive (over 430 MB) and is designed to be read by computers, not students. This tools extracts the most relevant information and provide an intuitive tool that assigns points to each school based on official data and your preferences. The result is a ranked list of colleges that best fit what you're looking for.

Pro Tip: You can skip any questions that aren't relevant to you, and use the emphasize option to give extra weight to factors that matter most.

Understanding Each Question

  1. Test Scores

    There's no point in applying to colleges where your test scores don't align with their typical admitted students - it's just a waste of money and time. When you enter your test scores, our tool emphasizes schools where you're more likely to gain admission, helping you build a realistic and strategic college list.

  2. Admissions Selectivity

    Use this option to match schools' admission rates with your academic profile. This question helps align your grades and overall academic record with institutions that are likely to accept you, ensuring a balanced mix of reach, match, and safety schools.

  3. Single-Sex Institutions

    If you're interested in the unique educational environment that single-sex institutions provide, this question will prioritize these schools in your results. Single-sex colleges often offer distinctive academic and social experiences.

  4. Areas of Study

    If you have a clear idea of what you want to study, use this question to emphasize schools that excel in your chosen field. This ensures the colleges in your results offer strong programs in your area of interest.

  5. Location Preferences

    Consider multiple location factors: climate preferences, distance from home, and setting type (urban, suburban, or rural). Think about whether you thrive in a bustling city environment, prefer a quiet college town, or want something in between. Also consider the campus size - larger universities offer extensive resources and diverse opportunities, while smaller colleges provide more intimate learning environments with closer faculty relationships.

  6. Campus Environment

    If you prefer a specific religious focus, want to attend a Historically Black College or University (HBCU), or have other environmental preferences, use this question to emphasize schools that match your desired campus culture and values.

  7. Affordability

    This crucial question emphasizes schools that cost less based on your family's income level. The Department of Education collects detailed information about what colleges actually charge students after financial aid, broken down by family income brackets. This gives you realistic cost expectations.

  8. Housing Options

    The Department of Education's dataset includes basic housing information that can help identify schools meeting fundamental criteria. While details about housing quality aren't reported, this can help you start your housing research. Once you have your shortlist, explore on-campus dormitories, off-campus apartments, and the overall residential experience.

  9. Graduation Rates

    Higher graduation rates typically indicate student satisfaction and successful program completion. However, consider context - some institutions like community colleges have different missions (such as preparing students for transfer) that may result in lower graduation rates while still serving students effectively.

  10. Admission Requirements

    Avoid wasting time and money on applications where acceptance is unlikely. This tool ranks colleges based on how your test scores compare to their typical admitted students and considers their acceptance rates. This helps you build a strategic list with appropriate reach, match, and safety schools.

Men's Soccer Specialization

If you're looking to play men's soccer in college, check out our specialized form. In addition to the academic questions above, these soccer-focused questions to help you find the right fit both academically and on the field.

  1. Competitive Programs

    Playing for a winning program offers numerous advantages beyond just the scoreboard. Successful teams foster a culture of excellence and high expectations, surrounding you with motivated teammates committed to shared goals. This environment pushes you to elevate your performance while providing increased visibility and community support. Winning programs often enjoy better resources, including superior facilities and training equipment, plus enhanced opportunities for scholarships and recognition at higher competitive levels.

  2. Division Level

    This question helps narrow your options to the division that best suits your skill level, academic priorities, and scholarship opportunities.

    Division II emphasizes balance between athletics and academics, providing more time for studying and personal development. You'll compete at a high level without the extreme pressure often associated with Division I programs. Division II schools frequently offer more comprehensive financial aid packages, making college more affordable.

    Division III prioritizes the complete student-athlete experience, placing academics first. This allows for a more balanced college experience with opportunities to focus on studies, pursue extracurricular activities, and enjoy campus life without the intensive time commitment of higher divisions.

  3. Coaching Excellence

    An experienced head coach brings invaluable tactical expertise that enhances team performance and strategic game planning. These coaches excel in player development, helping athletes improve their skills while maintaining established recruiting networks to attract top talent. Their ability to manage games effectively and make crucial decisions under pressure is essential, as is their skill in fostering positive team culture and discipline. Our form identifies top coaches based on their years of experience at their current institution and their winning percentage there.

  4. Immediate Playing Opportunities

    Some colleges require freshmen to sit out their first year, while others may have graduating classes that leave open positions. These questions help identify colleges where you might compete for immediate playing time. Our tool analyzes NCAA roster data to find programs with open positions and teams that successfully integrated freshmen into starting lineups the previous season.

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