Colleges with the best quality of life
February 17, 2012
Many mothers pursuing a college degree are doing so in order to be able to get a job they like and help their families enjoy financial stability upon graduating.
Others want to complete their college education in order to maximize their earning potential. After all, having a bachelor's degree can significantly impact how much money one makes.
According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), in 2009, the average salary for adults ages 25 to 34 with a bachelor's degree was $45,000, while those with a high school diploma or other equivalent degree earned an average of $30,000 per year.
But going to college can be much more than just a way to achieve these goals. It can provide students with a great educational and social experience. In fact, some may argue that those who truly get the most out of their time in college embrace everything their schools have to offer.
So, how do you know if a college or university is a good fit for you? The answer will vary from person to person and there's no one way of telling.
However, the Princeton Review recently released its list of 20 colleges with the best quality of life, based on student feedback on each school.
Rice University in Houston, Texas, tops the list.
"A sunny and social place to get a prestigious degree, Rice University is Houston's answer to the Ivy League," the Princeton Review explains.
A Rice student adds, "most Rice professors love what they're doing, and you can tell that they are truly passionate about the material. They may show this by literally dancing around in the front of the classroom or by simply being available at any time to help students."
Other schools that made the list include Bowdoin College, Macalester College, Auburn University, Barnard College, Claremont McKenna College, Dartmouth College, Davidson College, Emory University, Agnes Scott College, Brown University, Columbia University, Frank W. Olin College of Engineering, Kansas State University, Smith College, University of Mississippi, University of Pittsburgh, Vanderbilt University, Virginia Tech and Washington University in St. Louis.
Of course, the list should be taken with a grain of salt, as every person is looking for something different in a school. For instance, many individuals choose a college or university based on cost, location and availability of their desired major.
Wherever you decide to go, remember that grants for parents, scholarships for mothers and other financial aid can help make your dream of getting a college degree a reality.
