If I want to learn cosmetology, do I have to go to a trade school, or can I still attend a college?

Colleges are located in big cities, suburbs, and small towns throughout the country. Some enroll tens of thousands of students; others enroll only a few hundred. Some are public; others are private.

Some private colleges are connected with religious institutions; others are not. Some schools enroll only women, others only men. The type of college that best suits you depends on your needs and talents.

Why do I want to go to college? What do I hope to achieve in college? Do I have some idea of what I want to study or for which job I want to prepare?

Do I want to live at home or go away to school? Do I prefer an urban, suburban, or rural environment? Would I be happier in a small college or a large university?

In order to choose a college, you should ask the above questions about the nature and quality of the schools in which you are interested. You may also find answers to these questions in the colleges' catalogs or in reference books on colleges. Ask these questions when you meet staff in the admissions office of the colleges.

Another "real life" experience would be to actually spend a weekend at a college that your older sister, older friend, or friend’s sister attends to get a feel for what the experience would be like at the school. If there is a school you are interested in, you can still schedule a visit, even if you don’t know anyone at that college. Some colleges have programs so that you can visit overnight and stay on campus in a dorm with a ‘host’ student.

The school you choose needs to fit your interests, career goals, your financial situation and other factors. Public versus private. Public schools are operated by state and local governments.

Tuition is often less at a public school. Private schools are not affiliated with a government organization. They may be non-profit, such as colleges run by private foundations or religious denominations.

Or, they may be for-profit businesses, such as many career, trade, or technical schools. Four-year colleges and universities. These can offer bachelor's, master's, and doctorate degrees, and sometimes include professional schools, like law school or medical school.

Universities tend to be larger than colleges. Two-year community and junior colleges. These offer two-year associate degrees and sometimes certifications in particular career fields, like nursing.

Because their costs are often lower and admission is more open, many students start their college careers here. Earning a degree through an online university is becoming a popular way for people to balance work and school. Online universities can offer both two-year associate degrees and four-year college degrees.

You can even earn a Master’s or Doctorate degree via the Internet. Be careful though! Some schools advertised on the Internet are diploma mills.

(Learn more about diploma mills.) Not every online university is worth your time and money — some online schools are only interested in taking your money and the degree you earn could be worthless if the school is not accredited. The U.S. Department of Education has published a "positive list" of schools that are accredited by agencies recognized by the Secretary of Education. Here is the list of accredited online schools.

Career, technical, vocational, or trade schools. These prepare students for specific careers, such as welding, cosmetology, medical imaging, and electronics assembly. Their programs may be two years or less.

Many of these schools are for-profit businesses. Do lots of research to make sure they can deliver what they promise. One way of doing this is to make sure the school is accredited.

It is also a good idea to check with the Better Business Bureau closest to where the school is located. Find the right college for you. Be sure to ask the college or technical school about the total price of the training or program you are interested in.

An important question to ask a school is whether financial assistance or student aid will be available to you. In particular, you should ask if the school participates in the federal student financial aid programs, administered by the U.S. Department of Education. Federal student aid programs are the largest source of funding for college.

Learn how to apply and how the process works. Student aid also may be available from foundations, community organizations, and organizations related to your field of interest (for example, the American Medical Association or American Bar Association). Contact the organizations directly for detailed information.