Almost half of a school year is behind you. Whether your teen is waiting to hear back from their college choices, or continuing the decision process as they approach senior year, it is helpful to understand and evaluate college size and student population.

Does size really matter?

The answer to this question is complicated. Size really doesn’t matter as far as the quality of education your child will receive. Some of the best institutions of higher learning have large campuses with enormous student bodies, and some have fewer than 3000 students. What does matter, and always matters, is whether or not the school is a “perfect fit”, after examining a few factors:

• Learning styles—Does your teen function best in a small environment and small classes, or do they thrive in crowds and have no problem learning and studying with little personal instruction? Larger universities tend to have larger classes with little interaction from the professors, especially during freshman year. Smaller colleges have smaller classes and offer more one on one instruction time.
• Academics—Does the college offer the field of study that your teen is interested in pursuing? Smaller liberal arts colleges might not have a program in environmental engineering or fashion design, but an excellent program in European history or English literature. The larger universities have larger course offerings with many more degree programs, but oftentimes don’t offer programs in specialized studies.
• Location—Is your teen looking for a college in a metropolitan area or yearning for a college in a small town? Many times, you can fulfill both qualifications: a small college in a metropolitan area.
• Reputation—The academic reputation of the college is an important factor to consider. Once you are satisfied that your teen will receive a quality education for the cost, this will help narrow down the choices.

What are the benefits of a smaller college?

While there are benefits to be gained in all kinds of university environments, there is much to be said about the smaller colleges. Your teen will receive more attention and be able to establish relationships with the professors. They won’t feel lost in the crowd at a smaller college; and this is important, especially during freshman year. Smaller classes translate into focused academic attention which translates into an education that will serve your teen in the future.

There are positives and negatives in both types of learning environments. After evaluating your teen’s learning style, academic requirements, location preference, and the college’s reputation, don’t forget to make one final evaluation. Is the school a “perfect fit” where your teen will be valued and their contribution to the college appreciated?