Types of Post-Secondary Colleges and Universities

Junior or Community Colleges

2 year degrees
Open Admissions
Transfer pathways
Very affordable
Limited campus life

Example: Grayson College

Public Universities

Lower in-state tuition
Wide academic range
Alumni network
Larger class sizes
4 year & graduate degrees

Example: University of Texas

Private Universities

Higher tuition
Smaller class sizes
More donor aid
Selective process
Personalized attention

Example: Rice University

Technical or Vocational

Certifications and associates degrees
Career-focused
Short duration pathways
Private and Public options

Example: Texas State Technical College

Religious Affiliated Colleges

Faith-based mission
Private + Religious Values
Strong community feel
Higher tuition
Value-centered

Example: Baylor University

For-Profit Colleges

Often online
Flexible schedule
Higher debt rates
Business-run
Targeted programs

Example: DeVry

Military Academies

Service commitment
Full scholarships
Leadership training
Highly selective
Free tuition

Example: West Point

Be sure to check out the resources on the HOME page of our CCMR website to search for colleges based on your interests and needs!!

Who is getting accepted to the college I want to go to? What does that college consider "important" on their application?

The Common Data Set (CDS) is a standardized collection of key information that colleges and universities compile and share to provide consistent, transparent data to students, parents, researchers, and organizations that rank or analyze higher education institutions. It was developed collaboratively by The College Board, Peterson’s, and U.S. News & World Report, in partnership with colleges, to streamline data reporting and allow for easy comparisons between schools.

One of the most detailed parts of the CDS focuses on first-time, first-year admissions, providing data on the number of applicants, acceptance rates, SAT and ACT score ranges, class ranks, GPA distributions, and admissions policies (such as test-optional policies and early decision options). There's also a section on transfer admissions, outlining requirements and policies for students transferring from other institutions. The CDS also includes a breakdown of academic offerings and policies, highlighting the types of degrees available, areas of study, and special academic programs such as study abroad and honors options. In terms of student life, it details housing availability, extracurricular activities, and campus safety resources. Information on annual expenses is provided, listing tuition, fees, room and board, books, and estimated total cost of attendance. The financial aid section outlines how many students receive aid, the average aid package, and distinctions between need-based and merit-based assistance. Another important section covers faculty and class size, reporting the student-to-faculty ratio, the number of full-time and part-time faculty members, and the distribution of class sizes. Finally, the CDS includes data on degrees conferred, breaking down the number of graduates by field of study.

How do I find the Common Data Set for the school(s) I am interested in?? Simply Google "Common Data Set for _____ University/College."

What sections should I focus on with Common Data Sets?

C1 & C2: 1st Time, 1st Year Applicant Information
C3 & C4: Admission Requirements
C6 & C7: Basis of Selection (What the College Values on your Application)
C8: SAT & ACT Policies
C9-C12: 1st Time, 1st Year Applicant Profile

2024-2025 Common Data Set Examples

How will my dual credit courses transfer? It depends!!

Step One: Understanding the Common Numbering System and Texas College Core Curriculum
Step Two: Where do you want to go to college? What do you want your major to be?
Step Three: Compare!!!

Step One: Understanding the "Basics"

Every college has a specific set of courses that are considered to be the basic foundation of learning. It is very important for students to reseach what the common core curriculum is at any college they are intersted in. For Texas State Colleges, there is a common core curriculum system that enables credits to be recognized and transferred easier.

Step Two: Selecting a College and a Major

Private colleges and colleges outside of Texas have their own set of "basic" courses their students must complete. When selecting dual credit courses in high school it is important to try to align those courses to future colleges/majors of interest. Students need to research different colleges AND majors to begin to understand what courses will be required for a certain degree. There are several resources on the main page of this website to help with this process. Degree plans for specific majors are available online through any college website.

Step Three: Compare Grayson to Future College

Most colleges will have their own transfer portal that students can use to see if their credits will transfer in to that specific college. In Texas, TCCN offers a free tool that will predict if and how a course earned at one Texas location will transfer to another Texas location. Remember, this is just a prediction tool. Colleges have the final say about if and how courses transfer into their institution.

Checklists for College Planning

College and Career Action Plans

MyTXFuture offers college and career action plans that give an overview of the tasks you should complete each year to prepare for college and your career. You’ll find resources about exploring career clusters, choosing a program, and applying and paying for school.