There are a no shortage of college related web sites that allow you to search for particular colleges that meet your interests and needs. Unfortunately it is sometimes difficult to find out how often a website updates their data. It is difficult to know when a site is updated (if ever) and whether you can rely on the information provided.

One reliable source of information which is updated annually is the National Center for Education Statistics website provided by the US Department of Education. While the site isn't as flashy as some others, the data is the most reliable, although it is always a year behind the current year.

All SAS students have access to Family Connection, a college and career information website that is used to track all college application for all SAS students. All students have a unique login and password. If you don't remember yours, click the "help" button on the sign in screen or contact your counselor. One very important function of this website is its ability to help predict chances of admission at any college of interest to you through a tool called "scattergrams." Scattergrams graphically depict the GPA's, SAT scores, and admission experience of SAS students at hundreds of different colleges over the past years. Students can check their GPA and SAT scores against those previous students who applied to a particular college and thereby estimate the likelihood of gaining admission to this college.

College Search Engines

Family Connection
The college search feature allows you to search and automatically add schools to your "prospective" list. Rather than searching from other websites, you might find it easiest to simply login to Family Connection and click "college search" under "About College."

College Navigator
Maintained by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), College Navigator is a free consumer tool designed to help students, parents, counselors, and others gather data about nearly 7000 colleges and universities located in every corner of the country. There’s no glamour here, but it’s hard to beat the quality and depth of data provided by those diligent government statisticians. 

U-CAN
Another free data source, the U-CAN (University and College Accountability Network) search function includes 17 different variables covering student costs, tuition trends, admission and graduation rates, average student aid packages and much more. Developed and maintained by the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU), U-CAN employs a consumer-friendly format that is colorful, understandable, and easy to use. 

U.S. News Edu
A byproduct of the infamous US News and World Report ranking, the website not only provides some of the statistical underpinnings used to rate and rank colleges but also makes available a valuable source of useful information. The basics are free, but for a small additional charge even more detailed data is provided. 

Unigo
With searchable reviews, videos, and photos from over 15,000 college students, Unigo offers an opportunity to learn about the several hundred colleges and universities covered by the site. Linking up with the Wall Street Journal has added even more depth and richness to the quality of information provided. 

YOUniversityTV
A relative newcomer, YOUniversityTV is rapidly becoming a favorite among counselors and colleges for the quality of the videos produced. YOUniversityTV not only provides free access to videos and educational resources on over 400 colleges, but has also established an interesting social networking component dedicated to college information-sharing. 

College Prowler
By Students. For Students. No university affiliations. No half-truths. No out-of-touch authors who haven't been in school for decades. A class project turned company, College Prowler produces guidebooks that are written by actual college students and covers the things students really want to know.

Institute of International Education
IIE has conducted an annual statistical survey of the international students in the United States since 1949. Open Doors reports on U.S. students studying abroad and on international scholars at U.S. universities and international students enrolled in pre-academic Intensive English Programs.

College Confidential and StudentsReview are sources of more subjective or anecdotal information, but all agreed that care must be taken with these sites as they often contain biased or even “planted” posts.

Specialized Schools/Programs

Art Schools - schools offering programs ranging from dance to interior design to photography.

Business Schools - BusinessWeek uses nine distinct measures to rank undergraduate business schools. While no ranking is perfect, it does provide a starting point.

Medical Schools - FACTS is the most comprehensive source of information regarding medical school applicants, matriculants, and graduates available to the public free of charge. It also includes information on colleges offering combined Bachelor's/MD programs. An additional source of information on combined BA/MD programs can be found on the Medical Help Network. If you're an international student you need to know that not only is it extremely difficult to obtain admission to American medical schools, but also that financial aid for such study is extremely difficult, if not impossible, to secure. This website, from the National Association of Advisors for the Health Professions, has details.

Online Schools - Accredited online colleges and universities

Additional Categories and Information

• Christian
• Jewish
• Gay and lesbian friendly
• Colleges with the Most Graduates earning a Ph.D. - This list shows the top 10 institutions in the nation ranked by percentage of graduates who go on to earn a Ph.D. in selected disciplines. Many students and parents are surprised to learn that undergraduate liberal arts colleges produce more Ph.D.s than the highly selective research institutions.
• Liberal Arts - Colleges that Change Lives - If you'd like to expand your lists of college possibilities beyond the traditional Ivy League and name-brand schools, check out this site. The percentage of students admitted to graduate school from the most selective colleges is dwarfed by the percentage rates for these 40 schools.
• Economicdiversity.org - Provides campus-level data on student income, race and ethnicity, and student loan usage that can be compared over time and across institutions. If you are concerned about the diversity of the school you are considering, you can view and compare 258 different data elements for each of 3,000 accredited colleges and universities.
• Graduation Rates - The National Center for Education statistics, U.S. Department of Education gathers information on college and university graduation rates. Search schools here.
• OPE Campus Security Statistics - A direct link to reported criminal offenses for over 6000 colleges and universities in the United States.
• Campus newspapers - Read about local issues on a campus