College Search
This video was created in spring of 2020, but includes great tips to find colleges that fit and match your goals.
Finding the Right Fit and Match
Finding a college that is the right fit and match for you can seem overwhelming, but we have a few resources on this page to make it easier!
Sites like College Greenlight focus on helping first-generation and low-income students find college fits/matches. myOptions is a great starting tool for all students. And, sites like College Confidential and Beyond the Brochure offer insider insights that can help you find the right school for YOU.
What does fit and match mean and how should students use these as guides? See below!
What if you are considering selective or highly selective colleges? Watch the Princeton Review video to the left to understand how to approach your college search!
Need help on choosing a college major? Some students know what they want to study in college. You may not be so certain and that's okay- lots of students are undecided at first and many more change their majors. Having a plan can be helpful from the standpoint that you can find good college matches that have your field(s) of interest, and you are more likely to graduate in four years. So start with a planned major, if possible. You can change it later if needed.
If you just can't decide on your focus, consider colleges that have special programs that can guide and support you through making that decision. Start with Ohio State's explore tool to research the 80+ major and 100+ minor programs offered just within the College of Arts and Science! Explore more majors HERE.
Find the right fit! Search and compare colleges: their fields of study, costs, admissions, results, and more above and below.
Campus Reel: Real Experiences from Real Students Students!
Your school is a place to call home. Make sure it’s the right fit by exploring the most qualitative elements of a campus, community, and school.
Delve into thousands of real student videos through our easy-to-navigate search engine.
Ohio offers almost every kind of college and university. What kind of college appeals to you? See examples below.
Some of the categories overlap, and some colleges may fit into multiple categories. For example, Spelman College is a private, single-sex, HBCU, libral arts, four-year college. Click on the links and pictures below for more information on the various types of colleges and universities.
Example: Ohio University
Out-of-State Public Universities
Examples:
University of Michigan (higher tuition for out-of state) & Eastern Michigan University (Ohio reciprocity fro tuition)
In-State Public Community Colleges
Example: Columbus State Community College
Private Colleges and Universities
Ohio Private Colleges & Universities
Examples: Ohio-Otterbein University
Out of Ohio-Duke University
Liberal Arts Colleges vs. Universities- What's the Difference?
Liberal Arts Examples in Ohio:-Kenyon College
Out of Ohio:-Amherst College
Highly Selective Admissions Video Above
What's the difference between selective vs. non-selective colleges?
Examples: Ohio- Ashland U.
Outside Ohio- Southern New Hampshire Univ.
Technical Schools Near Columbus (check each for post-secondary programs)
For- Profit Colleges
Examples: Bradford School & DeVry
Some offer good programs- but usually for a high price than CSCC
Historically Black Colleges and Universities
Examples: Ohio- Central State & Wilberforce
Out of Ohio- North Carolina A & T
Specialized Focus like Engineering or Nursing
Examples: Ohio- Mount Carmel College of Nursing
Out of Ohio:- Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
Single-Sex
What's it Like to Attend an Historical Women's College?
Examples: Ohio-Ursuline College
Out of Ohio:- Bennett College & Smith College
Faith-Based Colleges & Universities
Examples: Ohio-Mount Vernon Nazarene University
Out of Ohio:- Lipscomb University
Arts Colleges/Music Conservatories
Art School vs Art at a Traditional College
Performing Arts Colleges in Ohio
Examples: Ohio- CCAD
Outside Ohio- Berklee College of Music
Colleges that Offer Special Financial Aid to CCS Students!
Columbus State Community College (see below!)
Otterbein University (Enhanced Financial Aid & Founders' Schol.)
Columbus College of Art & Design (IKIC Founders' Scholarship)
University of Dayton (IKIC Founders' Scholarship)
Why Columbus State?
Great reasons to attend Columbus State CC:
- Columbus Promise Program for CCS graduates! Free tuition + additional college expenses money + special student support!
