Know why college is the right step for you. Do research online about types of work that interest you. Careers in medicine and other specialized fields require certain academic credentials from a college.
Determine what credentials you want or need for your career interest. Certificates of Completion and associate degrees generally require two years or less of school. Bachelor degrees typically require four years of full-time study, and advanced degrees can take much longer.
Calculate tuition cost. The websites of colleges include current tuition cost. Use this current tuition to get an estimate of how much it cost to get a degree at each school you're considering. The final bill for tuition and fees may end up being lower than your original estimate if you qualify for scholarships and financial aid, but don't forget to think about the costs of books and housing.
Visit the U.S. Department of Education College Navigator website and enter in the appropriate data. You can limit your choices to a particular state or even zip code, by the size of the student body, whether it is rural or urban; and many other criteria to get more detailed information about a college.
Examine the list generated by clicking on the links for each school. Data provided include general information about the school, estimated student expenses, availability of financial aid, admissions criteria. Pay special attention to the accreditation status: diplomas from schools that are not accredited are less likely to be accepted by potential employers.