Cost
We all know college costs are high but may be offset by merit-based scholarships and/or need-based financial aid. But even with some “free” money, a college can remain financially out of reach for middle-class families making just enough to pay their bills, but not enough to cover an entire semester balance. Student lending has often filled this funding gap, but families are getting much more pragmatic about debt, using loan calculators early and often so they will know what they owe in advance. College savings also play a key factor to broaden school choice and affordability.
It’s a basket of several funding resources that help cover the bill, but this is where confusion can set in. It’s easy to miss steps with so many variables, like starting early with college savings, applying for enough scholarships to qualify for at least one and maintaining strong credit to qualify for low rates on student loans (Parent Plus is an option for families with limited credit, but interest rates and fees may be high).
Major / Career Goals
The economy is always changing, and while college degrees are valuable, some end up working in a different field than they may have figured just a few short years ago. But there are simple ways to forecast your student’s career trajectory based on skills and aptitude that should reflect on the choice of major. Psychology, for example, is a very common major but also one of the lowest paying after graduation. Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, or STEM, are often cited as creating graduates with high salaries, but global competition keeps the market constantly shifting. Majoring in pre-med but failing to carry on to medical school is a large investment without a big return. It’s recognized that there is no perfect hand-off from college success to career success. Instead, look at the big picture. Encourage your student to consider how certain majors or classes can accentuate talents, and how the knowledge can be adapted to new opportunities. Even Steve Jobs commented that during his brief time in college, he was able to learn the importance of calligraphy and directly applied it to the font-types in personal computers. He learned how to adapt his knowledge to create something new after learning some fundamentals in the classroom. This may be the greatest gift an education can give students, but it’s not so obvious when first getting started.
School reputation / Network
An important reason why students want to attend schools like Harvard and Stanford is the reputation for producing students from particular areas of study. Additionally, alumni networks can open up further opportunities after graduation. For many, this is enough justification for a high price tag associated with some institutions. Take a look at the track record for alumni to get an idea of potential opportunities.
- Biggest majors: Look at the production of specific majors at certain colleges to learn more about their programs. Compare this to data from the Bureau of Labor statistics to see how certain majors mesh with career opportunities that are expanding today.
- Industries where alumni are most common: Prospective schools may provide info on careers of graduates demonstrating concentrations in fields like education, finance, technology or any number of areas.
Location
Choice of environment plays a crucial role for potential internships and concentrations of industry. There are many different school locations to consider ranging from urban to suburban to rural. Each offers their own unique advantages that may (or may not) match up to your overall goals for an educational experience. For some, a bustling city is a perfect place. For others, a campus nestled near nature and low population density are all they need. This choice comes down to student personality, but college does provide an opportunity for some students to break from their comfort zones to experience an environment unlike their home or high school. Just remember, a long distance from home means more time spent traveling to get back and forth when necessary.