College Scorecard: Websites for Comparing Colleges

Ole Miss-Oxford, MS

For anyone interested in comparing colleges, I have found College Scorecard to be a great resource. The website allows users to easily compare college based on many different criteria, and the site uses easy to read visual aids so the information is easy to process.

Here are some of the criteria you can compare using the basic search function:

Find Schools

• Compare schools now Programs/Degree
• Programs/Degrees Location
• Location Size
• Size Name
• Name 

By using the advanced search function, it is possible to search using more specific criteria:

• Type of school
• Public
• Private Nonprofit
• Private For-Profit
•  Specialized mission
•  Religious affiliation

 A good starting point is to compare the costs of colleges you are interested in attending.  This site will also include two year institutions, and it is a real eye opener to see the comparison of school costs.  I am surprised by the costs associated with most four year colleges, and highly recommend conducting extensive research when trying to choose the best fit for post secondary education.
Check out: https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/

Links to other sites for comparing colleges:

• Big Future College Comparison: Compare up to three colleges and utilize the extensive resource at Big Future
• http://www.studentadvisor.com/match:  Compare up to 5 schools and use the college match function to explore schools that fits your interests.