Community Colleges
Community colleges offer two-year and certificate courses. They're usually flexible in admissions policies, so if you haven't done all that well in high school, they'll offer you a fresh start. Some states are introducing new programs that offer automatic acceptance into a university if you've done well at a community college.

Another benefit: Community colleges are less expensive. You can save a lot of money by completing your first two years of study at a community college, and then transferring your credits to a four-year college or university to complete your bachelor's degree.

Four-Year Colleges or Universities
A four-year college or university will offer you more advanced classes and may have a more challenging environment. If you want to pursue a graduate degree, you can go straight through from your bachelor's to your master's, or beyond, at a university.

Technical or Business Schools
If your dream job involves technical training, you may want to go to a technical or business school instead of college. Remember, though, that some technical schools are just as expensive as college. It's also very important to check out a tech school's credentials and job-placement success because these schools vary in quality. Ask a teacher or counselor to help you find a good school.

Live at Home or on Campus
You'll also have to look ahead and decide if you want (or need) to live at home during college. Often, you'll find that colleges near home offer some great programs, but be sure to make certain that your local college has the classes you need. One other thing to consider: While it will probably be less expensive to live at home during college, you may miss out on some of the social life and the lifelong friendships that can be developed at a residential college.