College Prep Genius CEO Jean Burk said there's much more to think about than cost, location and size of school.
"Are we looking into diversity and graduation rate, but even as the survey put it, the median salary that most students will attain after a certain time after school," said Burk. "Most people can think of the top three--cost, location and size of school. But, to be honest, you need to really look deeper.”
She said there are more than 50 things to consider when looking for a college.
Rice University ranked 13th in the nation (School Snapshot):
- 1st – Admission Rate
- 1st – Student-Faculty Ratio
- 1st – Graduation Rate
- 1st – Post-Attendance Median Salary
- 2nd – Gender & Racial Diversity
Top 10 Colleges & Universities in Texas
- Rice University
- University of Texas-Austin
- Trinity University
- Baylor University
- LeTourneau University
- Texas Christian University
- Texas A&M University-College Station
- University of Dallas
- Southwestern University
- Southern Methodist University
Burk said the cost of college shouldn't stop your dream. She said rather than go where you can afford, sometimes more expensive colleges have more money to give to students.
She added colleges with high graduation rates are doing something noteworthy. When it comes to graduation rates, Burk said by the end of the freshman year, about 25 percent of students drop out and by the end of the sophomore year, about 50 percent drop out. Overall, graduation rate tends to be about one-third of all those who enroll because of finances and work load.
Rice officials were not available for comment.