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While not as attention-getting as academic quality or price tag, the size and location of a college have a big impact on your college experience. Take time to evaluate the pros and cons.

Large Schools vs. Small Schools

One size doesn’t fit all. Don’t expect college life at a school of 50,000 to be the same as life at a campus of less than 1,000.

Large Schools

Pros:

• Large selection of classes and majors
• A wide variety of resources, well-stocked library.
• Many academic and social options
Distinguished faculty

Cons:

• Risk of becoming lost in the crowd
• Large class sizes, less individual attention
• More classes taught by teaching assistants and not professors
• Less student-teacher interaction
• More red tape and sometimes unable to get in classes you need

Not all large schools are as big as they appear. Many large universities have structures in place to avoid the “lost” feeling some students might encounter. The Hutton Honors College at Indiana University, for example, limits its enrollment and works to create a small college atmosphere in the midst of Indiana University’s more than 36,000 students. Other groups, like fraternities and sororities, dorm communities and academic departments can also make a large student body seem smaller.

“The thing I love most about Arizona State University is the diversity; with well over 50,000 on one campus there are plenty of opinions to go around,” says Rene Herrera.

Small Schools

Pros:

• Small class sizes
• More individual attention and guidance
• Strong sense of community
• Hands-on learning experiences
• Opportunities to work more closely with professors

Cons:

• Less majors to choose from
• Fewer physical resources
• Smaller libraries
• More limited social opportunities

Small schools tend to offer lower student-to-teacher ratios than larger schools, but are often more limited in their academic and social offerings. Since there is usually less red tape at smaller schools, students may have more opportunities to design their own majors. This flexibility can be difficult to achieve at large universities.

Some students thrive in the community that small schools foster, while others find it limiting. “Choosing this small college was one of the best decisions I have made. I like the small campus -- you get to know the professors really well,” says Enga Almeida, one of the 1,047 students at Columbia Union College.

Urban Schools vs. Rural Schools

Which do you prefer, falling asleep to the sound of honking taxis or the chirps of crickets? College will be your home for the better part of four years, so make sure you’ll like where you’ll be living.

Rural schools:

Pros:

• Easier access to wilderness areas, outdoor recreational areas
• A strong sense of community
• School tends to be the center of academic and social life

Cons:

• Not as many activities, students have limited options for social activities
• Fewer options for internships
• Less access to airports and highways
• More limited shopping options

For some majors, attending a rural campus makes sense academically. Studying forestry or agriculture, for example, isn’t practical in an urban setting.

Some students prefer the quieter atmosphere rural campuses offer. “It is nice and quiet so it allows you to concentrate on what you need to … You always feel part of a group because everyone waves at you and says hi. However, because of small size, rumors spread easily,” says Jerica Collins, a student at Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture.

Urban schools:

Pros:

• Opportunities for cultural and learning activities
• Wide variety of internship opportunities
• Public transit makes a car unnecessary
• A wide variety of social activities available
• Greater diversity of neighborhoods and activities

Cons:

• Expensive
• Security more of an issue
• Little access to outdoor/nature activities
• May lack traditional campus features like quads and ivy-covered buildings
• Abundant distractions

Keep in mind, urban campuses vary greatly. Some, like Occidental College in Los Angeles, have small campuses, while others, like UCLA, have large campuses spread out over many blocks. Some urban campuses are close to downtown areas, while some are set aside in their own “island” in the city. These differences affect your experience on campus.

“I love the fact that I live in New York City to attend college so I get more of a cultural learning experience ... My college experience isn't a typical one, the city helps me become more independent and ready for the ‘real world’,” says Jennifer Kachler, a student at the School of Visual Arts.

College size and location are personal preferences. Ask yourself what atmosphere makes you most comfortable. Visit campuses and talk to students to get a better sense of what life there is like.

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