You'll notice that this section has the most data elements to consider; that's because quality requires that you look at a mix of both subjective and objective data points.
Accreditation. You've probably heard the term "accredited college," but what does it mean? Accredited colleges meet the minimal educational standards established by independent, nongovernmental accreditation agencies. If you're pursuing a new program or specialized degree, it's a good idea to find out not only whether the school offering it is accredited but also whether the program itself is too.
First-year student retention rate (or transfer-out rate) measures how many students completed their freshman year and reenrolled in the same school the following year (or how many transfer to another school). This figure is one way to think about satisfaction with educational quality and experience.
Graduation rate is a measure of how many students who started at the school as full-time freshmen went on to graduate from the school within 4 or 6 years.
Types of learning opportunities and special study options. Schools offer a variety of learning experiences— labs, lectures, small seminars, and internships abroad and locally, to name a few. These can make the difference in what you learn and how engaged you are in your studies.
Quality of learning experiences. The amount of time students spend in a variety of learning activities reflects student engagement, which is an indicator of program quality and of the likelihood that students will complete their degree. Examples are the amount of time students spend preparing for class (homework), working in groups, writing papers, reading books and articles, engaging in class discussions, or talking with professors, etc. Although many schools conduct and participate in surveys and assessments of learning and engagement, only some make the data available. Given the limited sources for this information, you should make a point of asking a college how it knows its students are effectively engaged in their learning.
Student/faculty ratio and class size. Typically, the student/faculty ratio is reported for the institution as a whole, indicating
the number of students for each faculty member. A low ratio of students to faculty may mean you'll have a better chance of learning in small classes, where you may get more individualized attention. But a low student-faculty ratio could mean that a large number of non-teaching staff are on campus engaged in other services, especially at research institutions, where professors' obligations go beyond teaching. Look at this measure along with average class size but also find out the average class size for your major or program and class size in introductory classes versus that in advanced classes.
Academic advising and support programs. Not all schools offer things like tutoring and writing support or academic counseling. Whether a school provides enough of these resources can make a big difference in whether you complete your degree. You may also want to check whether the school offers programs to help students plan for after graduation, e.g., internship programs, a career center, or a resume-writing seminar. While many guides list these services, you should also ask the schools about the programs or services that are important to you.
Weekend or evening classes, or distance learning options. Many schools offer flexible class scheduling to accommodate a variety of needs, such as students trying to juggle family care or jobs. Some guides note the schools that offer online or distance learning options, but you should still confirm that these options are available for the program you're interested in. For evening and weekend classes, ask the schools whether such flexible schedules are available in all the classes you'll need to complete your degree (both introductory courses and those in your major).
Campus facilities. The quantity and quality of libraries, labs, and arts centers can give you a sense of how well-equipped a school is to support both your specific major and the interests you may develop about other fields of study. Access to such resources is even more important if the campus is far away from a city or cultural center.
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