What Should You Think About When Choosing a College?

Columbia University ranked #5 in The Wall Street Journal’s college guide, but #214 in FIRE’s free speech ratings. Photo: Columbia University

By DAVID YU and CHARLOTTE LEE

Once again, it’s that time of year when millions of anxious high school students submit their carefully-crafted applications to universities around the country. Selecting the right college for you can significantly shape your future and impact your career. But there’s a lot to consider when embarking on this new chapter of your life. 

Today, 35 percent of job openings nationwide require at least a bachelor's degree, and people with a bachelor’s degree earn $524 more a week on average than those with just a high school diploma. So for most, it does make sense to put in the time and money necessary for getting a college degree.

One of the most important choices to make is choosing your major. However, not all majors are created equal. According to Georgetown University, the median yearly income of all majors is $61,000, but there can be a significant income disparity between them. STEM and business majors tend to make well above the average, with architecture and engineering at the very top, making $83,000 a year. Liberal arts majors on the other hand, like psychology, social work, and education, make below $50,000 on average. These degrees might not be worth the tuition or student debt of a more expensive university.

Additionally, graduate degree holders typically earn 28 percent more than those with just a bachelor’s degree. Those with master’s degrees in biology and life sciences earn 63 percent more than those with just bachelor’s degrees. But on the higher end of the spectrum, those with graduate degrees in health and medical majors earn even more, up to 137 percent more than those with bachelor’s degrees. So as intimidating as it may sound at the moment, having a long-term educational plan is a good idea.

The top overall colleges around the country, according to The Wall Street Journal and CollegePulse, are Princeton at the #1 spot, MIT at #2, Yale at #3, and Stanford at #4, all with a score of above 90 based on a variety of factors like student success rates in terms of graduation and career earnings, diversity, economic mobility, and student surveys. NYC’s prestigious Columbia University ranked #5.

But how much does prestige matter? Many students may not want to attend an Ivy League school because of the high cost or location. However, there are affordable options in New York with high rankings too, like Stony Brook University, a SUNY school on Long Island that made it to #149 on The Wall Street Journal’s list with only a $7,070 in-state tuition. Manhattan’s equally affordable Baruch College landed at #47 on the list, an excellent value. Syracuse University and the University of Rochester also ranked fairly highly.

Another thing students might not consider enough when completing their applications is whether or not they’d feel comfortable speaking their thoughts on controversial topics on campus, especially if they support a minority opinion. Is the school’s environment open to guest speakers coming to talk without being silenced? The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) surveys thousands of college students to stay informed on various campuses’ attitudes towards free speech.

In FIRE’s 2024 College Free Speech Rankings, Michigan Technological University acquired the top spot with a score of 78.01, with Auburn University and the University of New Hampshire coming in second and third. On the other hand, Harvard University, one of the country’s most prestigious and competitive colleges, fell into last place, actually receiving a negative score of -10.69, with a ranking of “abysmal.” So if you’re hoping to avoid stifled speech and cancel culture, Harvard is not the place for you. Columbia University ranked a bit better at #214, with a 34.6 free speech rating (below average).

While college rankings and a degree’s pay can provide great insight, you should always remember that the best college for you is the one that fits your own preferences and not anyone else’s. One of the best ways to determine how much of a fit a college might be is by scheduling a visit. This allows you to experience what life might be like there for the next several years. In the end, it’s a big choice, and one you need to make on your own terms.