What Are the Best Colleges For My Major?

One of the most common questions I am asked is "What are the best colleges for my intended major?" I've been asked this by prospective majors in just about every subject imaginable. My reply is always the same: You are asking the wrong question. The real question students and parents should be asking at the start of their college search is not which programs are "best" but, rather, "what are the elements of a strong program in the particular major?"

It's a subtle but important difference because without an understanding of what matters in a major department or program, it's almost impossible to compare and evaluate individual departments and the differences between programs at different colleges and universities.

So, how do you start educating yourself about what to look for in a specific department or program? One place to start are the College Board's major profiles. Each profile offers a quick overview of the major, along with some suggestions of questions that prospective students should ask colleges about the program in that major.

Next, seek out trade and professional associations related to the major. Many associations have put together helpful information about what to look for in programs and departments to help students develop their own list of questions to ask as you research individual schools. For example, the American Society of Engineering Education has put together a good overview of what prospective engineering students should look for and consider when looking at engineering programs. There is even a link to a database of detailed descriptions of individual engineering programs. Other trade organizations have organized task forces on education in the field, and their work can provide key insights into the type of curriculum to look for in individual programs. For example, the Association for Computing Machinery has put together a report with detailed recommendations for what the undergraduate curriculum for computer science, software engineering, and computer engineering educational programs should include.

Other professional organizations are responsible for accrediting programs in specific fields. Reading the requirements for accreditation, and examining the programs of accredited members, can help prospective students get a clearer understanding of both the differences and similarities in various programs. For example, reviewing the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications standards for accreditation will give prospective journalism students an overview of the coursework and focus important for a strong journalism program. Students who are interested in colleges and universities that are not accredited can also use this information to determine if those programs will meet accepted industry standards.
Many trade and professional associations also welcome direct questions from students, and some even offer mentorship programs that can hook you up with someone who has first-hand experience with education in the field.

To find trade and professional associations, try a Google search using the name of the major or career you are interested in with the word "association." Gale's Association Encyclopedia , available in many libraries, is another good way to hunt down relevant associations. For accrediting agencies, start with the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Postsecondary Education accreditation database.

Google can also be used to turn up relevant articles on websites about what to look for in specific programs. For example, a website called the Philosophical Gourmet, which is written by a professor of philosophy, has a good article about what to look for in an undergraduate philosophy department. Trade and business publications often discuss education in the field as well. However, one caveat: be sure to consider who is writing the article, and what qualifications the person has to discuss education in the field.

If your plan is to go on to graduate school in the field of study, look for information about what graduate programs look for or expect in terms of preparation and undergraduate coursework. Try looking at the admissions websites of selected graduate programs, as well as for information geared to helping undergraduates prepare. For example, prospective pre-med students can get an overview of what is required for medical school admissions on a website for pre-med majors maintained by Amherst College.

Don't be shy about contacting faculty in selected departments to ask about what you should be looking for as you evaluate programs. Ask them about the features that they feel make their school's program particularly strong, and the curriculum and facilities that are important for undergraduates in the field. People who have already majored in the field, or who work in careers related to the major, can be other good sources of insight.

It may seem like a great deal of work to do this sort of research upfront, but the best way to evaluate and compare colleges and universities is to be an informed consumer.

One last thought: Majors can and often do change. Therefore, while it makes sense to understand which questions to ask colleges about their programs in specific majors, you should not make the decision to attend a college simply because of the strength of a particular major. Make sure you have considered what else you want and need from your college experience beyond a strong department in a particular major. That way, if you change your mind, you won't be stuck at a school where the only attraction for you is a major you're no longer interested in pursuing.