Large - More than 8,000 undergraduate students. Typically offer more majors, activities, books in their libraries, computers on campus, and students in each class. Obviously, more students are competing for usage of labs and computers and leadership positions in extra-curricular activities.
Medium - Between 3,000 to 8,000 undergraduate students. Offer a combination of small and large school strengths and weaknesses.
Small - Less than 3,000 undergraduate students. Usually offer small classes, more personal attention, fewer majors and activities, smaller libraries and computer centers, and greater opportunity for participation in student activities and/or sports.
You are going to college to be intellectually challenged. Make sure that the students around you are as intelligent as you. Compare your GPA to the average GPA of students at schools you are considering (understand that this is not always reported 100% accurately).
Will the college’s academic reputation help you in the future with graduate school applications and job hunting?
Many colleges with names you may not be familiar with are well known in the academic community.
If you know what major you want to pursue make sure the colleges you are applying to offer it.
If you are undecided apply to colleges that offer a wide variety of classes and plan to take general classes the first two years to help you decide what you would like to pursue. Most colleges do not require you to declare a major until the end of your sophomore year. However, without declaring a major you may be limited in the classes you can sign up for.
www.collegeincolorado.org and www.mymajors.com offer career interest inventories and descriptions of programs, classes entailed, and careers it leads to for free.