Make a list of colleges you are interested in. This list should include your "dream" schools, out-of-state schools, and those you believe you have a good chance of getting into. Include in-state universities as well, because those schools usually offer discounts for state residents.
Obtain enrollment information. Click the colleges' "Fast Facts" or similar link to view their total student enrollment. Small colleges have fewer than 5,000 students and may offer a more personalized experience and greater opportunity to get to know your classmates. Medium-sized colleges have 5,000 to 15,000 students, while large universities can have more than 30,000 students.
Click "Admissions" and locate the admissions profile of each school. This will tell you the demographic makeup of each school, as well as the SAT scores and grade-point averages of admitted students. You can also find the ethnic makeup of each school. This page is useful for determining your chances of acceptance into a university based on past student GPAs and test scores and indicating how well you may relate to your classmates based on the demographic makeup of the school.
Click the "Financial Aid" page of each school you are interested in. Determine the cost of each school, as well as the percentage of students who receive financial aid. This figure will help you to assess the likelihood that you will receive scholarships and grants from that university. The amount you will have to pay to attend a school can be a significant factor in determining what schools you should apply to.
Check available majors and extracurricular activities. Click the "Academic" or similar section of the webpage. Here, you can find what majors and other academic opportunities are available. Look for majors that are of interest to you; this will help you determine whether a school is a good academic fit for you. Likewise, click the "Student Life" section to view the available organizations on a campus. The more organizations it has, the greater the likelihood that you will find one you will want to become involved in.