Princeton Review - The Best 381 Colleges, 2017 Edition: Everything You Need to Make the Right College Choice

There was a void in the college guide market and we have filled it with this book.

Twenty-five years ago, The Princeton Review opened the first edition of The Best Colleges with this bold statement. In 1992, no other book provided in-depth descriptions of schools along side statistics covering admissions, financial aid, and student body demographics.

Then, as now, no other guide was based on the input of so many students. Then, as now, we at The Princeton Review believe that current students are the real experts about life at a particular college or universityonly they can give you the most candid and informed feedback on what life is really like on campus. More than a million students have participated in our surveys over the past quarter century, and we are pleased to continue to publish what we believe is the most substantive resource you need to find the college that will fit you best.

Weve added (and dropped) schools from the book; weve exponentially increased our student survey results; and weve changed or renamed many of the 60+ categories in which weve ranked top 20 colleges based on student feedback. Our guiding conviction, however, remains the same: That there is no single best college, only the best college for you. The profiles and ranking lists in this book can help you find the school that best fits your unique personality and goals.

We encourage students to consider their wants and needs across three categories: academics, campus culture, and financial aid.

Does the college youre considering offer classes and learning opportunities that interest you? You dont need to declare a college major until your junior year of collegebut youre more likely to succeed if youre excited about and engaged by the options available to you. Consider your learning style: do you prefer informative lectures or lively discussions? Research and analysis, or hands-on experience and practice? Writing papers or working in small groups? Look for the academic experience youll need to feel challenged and engaged, and what support youll need for successpeer tutoring, accessible professors, mentorship, and career services are just some of the options you might find on campus. Check out course and program descriptions, reviews of professors, and sit in on some classes if youre able to visit campus.

Do you want a big school or a small one? A hip urban campus or a verdant quad in the country? A college where everyone cheers on the basketball team, or one where every theater production gets a standing ovation? Every college has its own special vibe.

You can start narrowing down your list by making some decisions about the size of the student body and geographical location, and then move on to aspects you can identify by visiting campus, talking to current students and trusting your gut instincts: the personalities, politics, and interests of the student body. Take quality of life into account, too, and try to check out the dorms, food, and recreational facilities on campus.