College Navigator is one of my favorite websites (as you already know) for accessing college-related data. The information is collected directly from the colleges by the National Center for Education Statistics at www.collegenavigator.gov (note the .gov URL extension which we mentioned in last week’s article!) and there are no advertisements or frilly distractions.
Let’s go through an exercise so you can see how this information can be used to kick-start your college planning experience.
Here’s our starting point…You and your parents have compiled a list schools that you’d like to learn more about, considering your plan to major in Accounting.
To condense our analysis, we will generate profiles on two schools using selected data available on the College Navigator website at www.collegenavigator.gov.
The search box in the top left corner allows us to locate each college’s profile to access statistical and factual information about the school. 
(www.collegenavigator.gov)
Use the following chart to compare and contrast your research and ultimately “paint a picture” of the two schools. You can create your own chart on paper or word processing or spreadsheet software, whichever you choose.
| College A | College B | |
| Campus Setting | City: Small | Suburb: Large |
| Number of Undergraduate Students | 5,062 | 4,315 |
|
Tuition, Fees, and Estimated Student Expenses |
||
| Total Expenses: On Campus | $ 58,835 | $ 22,173 |
| Total Expenses: Off Campus with Family | $ 46,955 | $ 12,823 |
|
Admissions |
||
| SAT Critical Reading | 590-670 | 450-530 |
| SAT Math | 640-740 | 460-550 |
| ACT Composite | 28-32 | 20-23 |
|
Retention and Graduation Rates |
||
| Retention Rate | 96% | 84% |
| Graduation Rate | 87% | 37% |
|
Programs/Majors |
||
| Accounting-Bachelors | 48 | 106 |
| The centered chart headings reflect the tabs where the information is located. You can expand each tab by clicking the plus sign (+) next to each heading. |
(www.collegenavigator.gov)
Now, let’s begin to paint a picture of these colleges using the data recorded above:
The campus setting and size of each school is very similar…the amount of undergraduate students differs by only 800 students and there may not be a noticeable difference between a large suburb and a small city.
The costs of these colleges are on opposite ends of the scale…a bachelor’s degree at College A could cost over $200,000, while living at home and attending College B would only cost about $50,000.
The admissions criteria reflect that College A is a very competitive, highly selective college. You can assume by the average SAT and ACT scores that most students attending College A have outstanding high school GPAs, intense extra-curricular activities, and great college essays. Likewise, the students attending College B should be proud of their consistent, college-ready work completed during high school.
Retention and graduation rates tell a compelling story about the experiences of first-year students, the school’s culture of learning, and the return on investment on tuition dollars.
The retention rate reflects the satisfaction of freshmen students by calculating the percentage who choose to return for sophomore year. Both schools have acceptable rates of retention, but College A’s rate shows that more than 9 out of 10 students (if that’s even humanly possible) believe it’s a worthwhile commitment.
The graduation rate of College B should be a major red flag for every student and parent and we all should be asking why only 37% of students graduate with a degree. There may be many reasons for this low number and you must find out what they are. College B may still be a fine choice for you, as long as you’re aware of the potential pitfalls and hazards that prevent the school’s students from achieving success. On the other hand, College A’s percentage reflects a solid return on investment with just about 9 out of 10 students graduating with a Bachelor’s degree within a specific period of time.
The amount of student Accounting majors graduating in a specific year reflects the size of this particular program at each school. By looking at the popularity of related majors, you can draw conclusions about the specialties of each school. For the record, College A is highly recognized for the preparation and achievement of their accounting graduates even though the quantity of participants is significantly lower.
This exercise in data analysis is the perfect place to begin your college planning journey…well before you visit any schools, purchase any branded sweatshirts or fall in love with the beautiful campus square.
However, you shouldn’t discount a college until you consider all factors…especially the acceptance letter! You need to apply to 8 – 10 colleges, including a mix of public and private institutions, some where you will live on campus and others at home, a couple that are “dream schools” and many that you have a great chance of being accepted to. And don’t forget your bottom-line…the rule of self-imposed student loan limits: Advise yourself not to take out more than $10,000 per year in student loans!
Don’t get too comfortable or too overwhelmed, we are just beginning this journey which will continue right up through Thanksgiving…we still need to consider your college major, personal preferences, and many other factors.
To be continued…
Trish Portnoy is a blogger, writer, app developer and high school teacher who helps high school students and their parents to research colleges, understand their options, and make choices using resources from the Internet, guidance counselors and other helpful people.