There are post-secondary options for everyone!

Other “Fit” Factors Public v. Private Public v. Private Colleges with Religious Affiliations Colleges with Religious Affiliations Residential v. Commuter Colleges Residential v. Commuter Colleges College Size (small, medium or large) College Size (small, medium or large) College location (urban, suburban, rural) College location (urban, suburban, rural) Distance from home (in-state v. out of state) Distance from home (in-state v. out of state)

Public Colleges Public colleges receive government funding through taxes to help keep tuition lower. Also use tuition and gifts to cover costs. Public colleges receive government funding through taxes to help keep tuition lower. Also use tuition and gifts to cover costs. It is still possible to get help to pay for school with loans, private grants and all types of scholarships It is still possible to get help to pay for school with loans, private grants and all types of scholarships Ex. Anoka Ramsey Community College, St. Could State, University of Minnesota - Duluth Ex. Anoka Ramsey Community College, St. Could State, University of Minnesota - Duluth

Private Colleges Private colleges do not receive direct government funding and are funded through only tuition and gifts from donors. Private colleges do not receive direct government funding and are funded through only tuition and gifts from donors. Often students get help to pay for private college costs with loans, private grants and all types of scholarships Often students get help to pay for private college costs with loans, private grants and all types of scholarships Tend to be smaller. Tend to be smaller. Often have ties to religious groups. Often have ties to religious groups. Ex. Gustavus Adolphus, Dunwoody, Bethel University Ex. Gustavus Adolphus, Dunwoody, Bethel University

Colleges with a religious affiliation Many students choose a religious college because of their own religious beliefs Many students choose a religious college because of their own religious beliefs Some people attend religious colleges because they like the mission of the college even if they aren’t religious themselves. Some people attend religious colleges because they like the mission of the college even if they aren’t religious themselves.

On-Campus or Commute Schools that offer housing are called residential colleges. Schools that offer housing are called residential colleges. Most Colleges offer some type of on campus living experience. Most Colleges offer some type of on campus living experience. However, many community and technical colleges do not. However, many community and technical colleges do not.

Distance from home In State Colleges Some students want to stay close to home and family. Some students want to stay close to home and family. Some in-state colleges can cost less money for residents Some in-state colleges can cost less money for residents Deciding to go in-state can limit the number of choices you have Deciding to go in-state can limit the number of choices you have Out of State Colleges Expands the range of colleges you might consider and which could consider you. Expands the range of colleges you might consider and which could consider you. Can add to the cost of going to college Can add to the cost of going to college Some students prefer the challenge of living more independently from family Some students prefer the challenge of living more independently from family

College Size - Small, Medium, Large Small – less than 2,000 students – more personal attention but fewer choices Small – less than 2,000 students – more personal attention but fewer choices Medium – 2,000-15,000 students – opportunities for more choice but you need to work harder to get personal attention Medium – 2,000-15,000 students – opportunities for more choice but you need to work harder to get personal attention Large – more than 15,000 students – lots of choices and options but less guidance and direct support Large – more than 15,000 students – lots of choices and options but less guidance and direct support

College Location Urban colleges are located in cities which provide many opportunities for students but often they have limited campuses for student life. Urban colleges are located in cities which provide many opportunities for students but often they have limited campuses for student life. Suburban colleges are located around but not in large cities. Many student like them because they blend some elements of both urban and rural colleges Suburban colleges are located around but not in large cities. Many student like them because they blend some elements of both urban and rural colleges Rural colleges are typically located in small cities in rural areas. Many students chose a rural college to avoid the distractions of city life Rural colleges are typically located in small cities in rural areas. Many students chose a rural college to avoid the distractions of city life

Videos to help you decide! How to decide – residential or commuter college How to decide – residential or commuter college Why some people like small schools - M-Dp4A&feature=endscreen Why some people like small schools - M-Dp4A&feature=endscreen M-Dp4A&feature=endscreen M-Dp4A&feature=endscreen Why some people want an urban school – Ow Why some people want an urban school – Ow Ow Ow