When choosing a college, it is important to know whether it is a private or public institution. The biggest difference between a public university and a private college is cost. Public universities are your state's schools and the government covers most of the operating cost. Public colleges generally offer classes with 100 or more students and a wide variety of majors to choose from. Private colleges are usually more expensive than public colleges because tuition and private donors cover the cost of attendance. Many private institutions offer a smaller array of majors to choose from but they also provide students with more specialized programs.
The National Center for Education Statistics provides the College Navigator website to assist students in locating every sort of post-secondary institution. It allows users to search colleges based on kinds of degrees and scans private or public institutions. The site offers an extensive list of educational institutions and can be a useful tool for finding information about colleges, their costs and what they can offer you.
The U.S. Department of Education offers the Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs. This database will tell you what schools in your state are accredited and through which agency they gained accreditation. You can search using the name of the school, the state you live in or by accreditation agency.
Every year, post-secondary institutions are ranked by various organizations around the country. The U.S. News magazine is known for its list of rankings and the information it provides for future college students. Keeping track of the national college rankings is also a useful technique for finding out about colleges in your area. Search by state, region or tuition. This site also assists future students with tips for preparing for college, surviving the experience and paying back student loans.