CONSIDERATIONS

CHOOSING A PROVIDER

Which Providers Offer What I Need?

To get a good idea of what your future education and training costs will be, the first step is to research which educational providers offer what you need. You will find that some educational institutions such as state universities offer a broad spectrum of fields whereas other providers may be more specialized. It is important to look at the program you are interested in, not just the overall reputation of the provider. For example, a program you are interested in from a “lower-ranked” institution may have better outcomes for its graduates than the same program from a higher-ranked institution. 

DO YOUR OWN PROVIDER RESEARCH

Click here to access the National Center for Education Studies website or type https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/ into your web browser.  

  • Select Colorado from the dropdown list for States

  • Select the Level of Award you are interested in.

From the list here you can see other options for aspiring cosmetologists, veterinary technicians, chefs, and more.  

  

Would you like to customize your list? Follow these steps. 

  • Click on the Browse for Programs button. 

  • Type in the program you are interested in using the “Type your keyword here” field or you can open the lists below and add everything you are interested in.

  • When you are ready, close the Programs/Majors Selector box and click on the Show Results button.

Tip! Some education and training paths are more clear than others. We recommend you connect with someone in the career field you are interested in to discuss education and training options. 

What Else Should I Be Thinking About?

In addition to the cost and whether or not the provider offers programs in your career areas of interest, here are some additional questions for you to consider.

  • Am I comfortable with the size of the campus and its safety?

  • Am I comfortable with the class sizes? How important is it that your teacher knows you? Some large schools have classes taught in large auditoriums with virtually no teacher interaction.

  • How far away from home would I like to go?

  • Does the provider offer support for LGBTQ students?

  • Are you interested in opportunities that support your heritage such as attending a Hispanic Serving Institution or a Historically Black College or University? Or, are you interested in majoring or taking classes in programs such as Latino studies, etc.?

  • Are support services such as counseling and tutoring readily available to me if I need them?

  • Are services such as medical support, pharmacies, and food assistance nearby?

  • Are there opportunities for me to participate in activities outside of my academic classes that honor my interests and needs?

  • Are there places of worship nearby?

CASE STUDY: RADIOLOGIC TECHNICIAN

The primary costs of education after high school include tuition, books, fees, meals, and housing. These are important considerations when selecting where you want to go to receive your education and training. Another question to ask is how do graduates from this program do? Do they have a good chance of completing the program?  Do they make salaries that support a living wage? Do the graduates pass any state licensing exams that are required to practice the career? 

This information can help you narrow down your top choices like Omar does below. 

Omar is interested in being a Radiologic Technician. According to www.radiologyschools411.com, there are eight Radiologic Technology programs in Colorado but only three are JRCERT accredited programs; JRCERT stands for Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiology Technology Program Effectiveness Data. This national accreditation includes student completion rate, credential exam pass rate, and job placement rates. The accreditation information below gave Omar a good idea of which programs to investigate first. 

Of the three providers, Omar considered, Colorado Mesa University, Community College of Denver, and Red Rocks Community College, the location of the program was a determining factor. Currently residing in Rifle, Omar was able to commute to various Colorado Mountain College (CMC) campuses to complete some prerequisites for the radiologic technician program and commute to Colorado Mesa University to complete the remaining prerequisites and other courses for the program. While his commute by car is a couple of hours roundtrip each day he attends classes, he saves on his food and housing by living at home. In addition, he volunteers in the radiology department at the local hospital near his home. This gives him a great opportunity to confirm if this career field is for him. Often, we are focused on the cost of tuition and books but the actual cost of attending college must also include housing, transportation, and food. In exchange for the extra effort and time of the commute, his educational costs are significantly less. In addition, future employers will find his effort and determination to succeed in this program admirable.