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Use 5 Statistics to Find a U.S. College That Fits Your Needs

By WTOP Staff

Besides appealing campus shots often seen in college brochures, there are statistics that international students need to scrutinize to determine whether a school is going to be the right place for their undergraduate education.

Examining the following list of data points will help you be more informed when choosing a school that really fits you.

[Here are four things international students should look for in a U.S. college.]

1. Test scores: These key statistics are closely tied to your chances of gaining admission. Typically a U.S college will not accept students whose scores on the TOEFL or IELTS exams — two of the most popular standardized English proficiency tests — are lower than its minimum requirements, unless the school offers conditional admission to students who agree to enter an ESL program.

The SAT or ACT range is also crucial when you apply for scholarships or financial aid. Score percentiles can be found on schools’ official websites or on other college research sites.

2. Tuition and financial aid: The high cost of U.S. higher education is a concern for some international students. For these students, digging into both tuition figures and financial aid availability is a crucial part of researching U.S. colleges.

While aid for international students is limited and competitive, the good news is that prestigious but expensive colleges often offer very generous financial aid packages, and the percentage of students whose need is fully met is also high. Knowing about all of these numbers will help you find a good school that matches your family’s budget.

[See a list of colleges that give international students the most financial aid.]

3. Freshman retention rate: This is typically not displayed on a school’s website, unless the college has a decent percentage of students who decide to stay after their first year. Generally, anything above 90 percent is considered a very good figure.

But it isn’t difficult to find freshman retention rates; you can find these numbers on the U.S. News site or by doing a simple online search. This number reflects students’ overall satisfaction. If a large percentage of the student population transfers or drops out after a year of a particular college you’re interested in, you will need to take that into consideration.

4. Overall and international student population: Making sense of these numbers depends on your preferences. If you like a large institution with an energetic school spirit, then a large public, state university with more than 30,000 students will be a good fit for you. If you prefer to live in a tight-knit community where everyone knows each other by name, a liberal arts school with fewer than 2,000 students will be the place to look for.

With that in mind, you also need to research the international student population at your prospective schools, including those from the same country as you.

[Check out a visual representation of international students in the U.S.]

Ask yourself if you want to meet a lot of international friends, or if you want to see a lot of people from your home country. For some people, having those friends can bring them a sense of home and familiarity. Others prefer to experience American culture than to be surrounded by those from the same parts of the world.

5. Graduation rates: The four-year graduation rate allows you to look into students’ academic performance in general, and see whether or not they are serious about their education. It is also reflective of the educational quality that the school provides. Based on U.S. News data, schools with the highest four-year graduation rates range from about 75 percent to more than 90 percent.

While researching all of these data points, prospective international students should remember that numbers can’t paint a full picture of what a U.S. college is like — but they can help narrow your choices.

More from U.S. News

Find On-Campus Support for International Students

5 Questions to Ask the International Students Office at U.S. Colleges

4 Things International Students Should Look for in a U.S. College

Use 5 Statistics to Find a U.S. College That Fits Your Needs originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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