15 Best Higher Education Websites
College is filled with new experiences, unforeseen challenges, and exciting opportunities. The trick is in making the most of these experiences, challenges and opportunities—and that can be a challenge for prospective students!
Even current students will agree that despite their relative experience in campus life, there’s always something new to discover. Fortunately, prospective and current students can turn to the best higher education websites featured here for useful information and insights.
Of course, the best source of information for new students are the university websites because of their reliability, completeness, and accuracy. But these higher education websites are also useful in navigating college life successfully. You may then want to explore and bookmark these valuable online resources so you can spend less time worrying about the unexpected and more time soaking in the college experience.
You can start with a look at our comprehensive resources for college students including features on college life, our index of the most controversial topics today, and our constantly growing library of study guides and study starters.
Or you can read on and check out the 15 higher education websites that every college student should know about...
The 10 Best Higher Education Websites
Prospective students are well-advised to use College Navigator in finding detailed information about the colleges and universities in the United States. The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) offers College Navigator as a valuable online tool and provides a range of important features, data, and information that prospective and current students can use in making informed decisions. Not even its clunky interface can take away the fact that it’s the best higher education website for this reason.
Detailed Profiles of College and University Websites
Every college or university has a dedicated profile page where comprehensive information, such as tuition and fees, financial aid, admission, retention, and graduation data, are provided. There’s also a link to every college website provided.
Net Price Calculator
Looking for the best college within your means is easier with the net price calculator feature. Interested individuals can also access financial aid information that aid in informed decision-making.
Academic Programs
Undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs are featured in each of the college’s and university’s dedicated profile pages.
College Campus Information
Campus life is a huge part of student life and useful information related to it is appreciated. The College Board provides campus safety and security data, too, including campus policies and crime statistics. There are also interactive maps and location tools.
Comparison Tools
The ability to compare up to three institutions side by side makes it easier and faster to make comparisons of key points, such as admission and graduate rates, tuition, and net price.
The College Board also allows users to print reports for future reference when choosing the best higher education institution based on their needs.
The Purdue OWL (Purdue Online Writing Lab) is a valuable resource for all of research and writing projects in college and beyond. The free comprehensive online resource is the go-to website for college students, researchers, and educators in matters related to the following.
Writing and Research Guides
The wide range of topics covered include research paper formatting, essay writing guide, and grammar and punctuation rules, among others. These guides are essential for the improvement of your writing skills and, in turn, your academic performance.
Citation Styles
With many citation styles to choose from, it can be a challenge to use the most appropriate one. Purdue OWL makes it easier to choose and use citation styles, such as Chicago/Turabian, APA, and MLA. Proper citation of sources is a must, partly because it prevents plagiarism.
Grammar and Mechanics Guide
College students benefit from the exercises and explanations related to grammar, punctuation, and mechanics toward the improvement of their writing skills.
Research and Documentation Support
With research being an integral part of student life, the ability to conduct research, evaluate sources, and document results are essential skills—and Purdue OWL provides guidance in these areas. There are also guides on creating effective and persuasive multimedia presentations and internship- and job search-related papers (e.g., resumes and cover letters). Students also benefit from the online writing workshops and webinars as well as the sample academic papers.
Prospective students must ask about the learning management system used by their chosen college or university to become familiar with its features. Among the most popular is Blackboard Learn, a virtual platform where students and professors converge for learning purposes.
Course Content Access
Blackboard Learn allows current students to access lecture notes, videos and presentations, and readings, among other course materials, in a centralized virtual location. Students also make assignment submissions and take assessments through the online platform while instructors provide feedback. These features facilitate student-instructor interaction, enable students to track their progress, and streamline the grading process.
Real-time synchronous instruction is also possible, thanks to virtual classrooms. The feature includes collaboration tools and video conferencing technology.
Discussion Boards
Blackboard Learn enables students to engage in productive discussions and peer-to-peer learning via discussion boards.
Notifications and Announcements
Instructors post announcements about course updates and deadlines, among other important matters, while students receive notification via the Blackboard App or emails.
Calendar and Scheduling
College students must keep on top of their studies and schedules to thrive. Blackboard Learn has a calendar feature that aids in their time management and organization.
Other features that college students will appreciate are mobile accessibility, personalization of profiles, and multimedia integration. Student support resources, such as help centers, technical support, and tutorials, are also offered.
Even prospective students will find Intern Queen a useful resource! There’s no such thing as being too early when it comes to listing possible internship opportunities, after all, and Intern Queen is among the best online resources for this purpose.
Internship Listings
Intern Queen is best-known for its extensive database of internship listings spanning a wide range of industries and locations. Current students and recent graduates can use the search bar in searching for internships based on their specific career goals and interests. Intern Queen offers useful information and resources for both in-person and virtual internship opportunities.
The website also include tools for organizing the internship search, monitoring application deadlines, and managing the process. Email alerts are available, and users are encouraged to share their reviews and experiences with companies they worked with.
Resources for Resume and Cover Letter Writing
When looking for internship opportunities, you must put your best foot forward through your cover letter and resume. Intern Queen provides guidelines, templates, and samples for this purpose, too.
Career Advice Resources
Intern Queen offers resources related to internships, job search, and career development in various ways. Blogs and vlogs dish out relevant tips and strategies, while webinars and virtual events allow users to learn from the professionals.
Current students and graduates are well-advised to take advantage of the personal branding-related services, networking opportunities through its online community, and personalized career coaching.
Developed by the world-renowned Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), the MIT OpenCourseWare platform provides free and open access to a comprehensive collection of more than 2,000 courses taught by MIT professors. The courses cover several academic disciplines, from Water Diplomacy to Introduction to Algorithms, which attract prospective students with eclectic interests. The course materials include lecture notes, exams, and reading lists as well as multimedia resources.
Open Licensing
Students can download, share, and even adapt the course materials in the MIT Open CourseWare platform for educational purposes because these are usually released under Creative Commons and other open licenses. Such free and open access encourages the production of derivative works, among other collaborative endeavors.
Self-Paced Learning
College students looking to broaden their skill set or dive deeper into their discipline praise the self-paced learning flexibility that the MIT Open CourseWare platform allows. Being able to supplement their classroom learning or look at their lessons through another perspective also contribute to their academic success, whether they are in MIT or not.
Multimedia Resources
Many courses are presented in multimedia, such as simulations, video lectures, and demonstrations, which cater to the different learning styles among college students. Since these are real course materials used in MIT classrooms, you will enjoy similar learning experiences as MIT students—and without the cost, to boot! You can even access the course materials even if you’re not in college anymore and feed your passion for lifelong learning.
Plus, there are no enrollment and registration requirements! You can also become part of an international community.
Published by USA Today, the Educate blog is primarily geared toward K-12 teachers and students who can access relevant information and current news with educational relevance. But college students can also use its content and features for their specific needs.
News Articles and Multimedia Resources
Current events in higher education are of crucial importance to college students who want to stay on top of trends, perform personal and educational research, and engage in meaningful discussions. These are of particular importance for students in journalism, international relations, and political science programs.
College students who are visual learners will also appreciate the multimedia resources, such as videos and infographics, which allow them to understand complex topics better.
Primary Source Documents
College students enrolled in political science, history, and related fields will find the primary source documents often featured in the blog to be useful. These include government reports, historical texts and even speeches, which are useful for supplemental learning and research.
Lesson Plans, Discussion Prompts, and Writing Prompts
Education majors will find the lesson plans useful in their studies. College students appreciate the discussion prompts since these are useful in starting peer and professor discussions and as starting points for research projects. Getting inspiration is also possible, thanks to the writing prompts from articles.
EdTech Magazine, a print and online publication, provides current and prospective students with new resources, the latest news in technology for education, and up-to-date information about the latest in software, hardware, and cybersecurity for higher education. The articles, reviews, and case studies showcase the ways in which educational institutions use technology as part of their best practices.
Information on Digital Learning Technology
EdTech Magazine provides information about the latest digital learning tools, apps, and platforms. College students can use the information for a better understanding and use of the technology that their colleges and universities use.
Strategies for Effective Online Learning
Online education has its share of challenges, and EdTech Magazine offers plenty of articles that discuss effective strategies for online learning. Getting useful insights with practical applications can make the difference in your college journey.
Cybersecurity Awareness
Even navigating a college website can pose cybersecurity concerns for students! Being aware of cybersecurity issues and measures is highly recommended for college students and EdTech Magazine considers it among its advocacies.
Other features in the EdTech Magazine that college students will benefit from are pedagogical approaches using technology, career and skills development, and information on open educational resources.
The college selection process may be behind you but the College Board is still a valuable tool for college students! The College Board, a non-profit organization, is known for its educational services for current and prospective students.
Standardized Testing Services
Most four-year colleges and universities use the Scholastic Assessment Test and the SAT Subject Tests as part of their admissions criteria. Prospective students must start early in complying with the requirements for these standardized tests. The College Board also provides fee waivers for low-income and other disadvantaged students.
Advanced Placement (AP) Program
The AP Program allows high school students to get a head start on their college journey by completing college-level courses and exams. With high scores on AP exams, they can earn college credit that, in turn, results in shorter time-to-completion and more monetary savings.
College Search and Planning Tools
High school and college students can use the search bar to search for colleges and universities based on their preferred criteria (e.g., location, tuition, and academic disciplines) and choose the best college. The links to university websites are usually provided, too.
CSS Profile
Colleges and universities use the CSS Profile to determine the eligibility for non-federal financial aid among prospective and current students. The CSS Profile complements the FAFSA.
The College Board also provides information on financial aid and scholarship programs, as well as sponsors scholarship programs (e.g., National Merit Scholarship).
College Readiness and Admissions Resources
Prospective and current students can also access its resources and tools related to college readiness, such as test preparation materials, and the college admission and application process.
The College Board also conducts research on higher education trends that students, researchers, and educators can use. Furthermore, it’s engaged in advocacy initiatives that provide underserved populations with more educational opportunities.
Educational Testing Service (ETS) may well be the most important organization you have never heard of! Most of the post-secondary standardized tests are administered by the non-profit organization, from the GRE tests to get into graduate programs to the Praxis for education careers and the TOEFL and TOEIC for international students and employees.
ETS is also instrumental in SAT, particularly in its scoring for certain parts of the test. The HiSET, a GED alternative, is also administered by the ETS, and the non-profit organization conducts extensive research into the test design, question development, and scoring methods for standardized tests.
Prospective college students find the wide range of test preparation materials, such as study guides, practice tests, and test-taking strategies useful for their success. ETS also provides prospective students with detailed score reports that aid in the determination of their strengths and weaknesses.
Trust Google to step in where others fell short! Freely accessible, Google Scholar focuses on academic papers, scholarly articles, and conference proceedings, among others. The curated content and supplemental materials are intended to aid students, researchers, and academics find scholarly literature across numerous academic disciplines.
Comprehensive Academic Search
Google Scholar has a comprehensive collection of content that college students can use for their essays, projects, and assignments, such as for research purposes. The advanced search options allow students to refine search parameters based on author, date, and publication.
Every search result also comes with useful information about the number of citations, which is a measure of credibility, while the “Cited by” link can lead to related and relevant research studies. Google Scholar also uses scholarly metrics in their h-index, which shows the rankings for conferences and journals in numerous academic disciplines.
Alerts and Updates
Email alerts can be set up for specific topics and keywords. Students can then stay updated on the latest scholarly articles, academic papers, and research studies in their fields of interest. Keeping track of newly-published papers is also beneficial for their studies and research.
Integration Features
Google Scholar has also been integrated into the library systems of many colleges and universities. Students can then access the resources including full-text articles through subscriptions.
Students can also quickly and easily export citation information via EndNote, Mendeley, or Zotero. This means easier management of references for academic papers and research projects. The “My Library” feature, which allows students to create lists of sources, save articles, and organize research findings, is also a valuable tool.
Google Scholar is also available in multiple languages, meaning access to international research studies is possible.
The Office of Federal Student Aid (FSA), an agency of the U.S. Department of Education, manages the site that provides reliable, relevant, and useful information about federal financial aid programs for college students and their families.
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
As the primary portal for federal financial aid programs, the site allows students to access, complete, and submit the FAFSA online. (College websites usually provide the FAFSA school code) The FAFSA form is crucial for undergraduate and graduate students seeking federal financial aid including scholarships, work-study, and federal student loans. The secure platform also allows students to submit required documents with personal and financial information.
Financial Aid Information
Prospective and current students who want to maximize their availment of federal financial aid will find comprehensive information about the matter on the website. These include the types of federal student aid programs, their eligibility criteria, application process, and application deadlines. The financial literacy resources and tools are just as crucial for college students and their families to maximize their financial aid eligibility.
Loan Management
Current students and their families can access information about their loan balances, interest rates, and repayment options. There are also tools for effective loan management, such as repayment plans and calculators, and updated information on loan forgiveness and discharge programs.
Students are well-advised to create their My Student Aid (MSA) account to manage their financial aid information and status.
MoneyGeek may not be useful in finding the best college for your needs but it’s useful as a financial education and resource website for prospective and college students! Here, you can use the information and tools to make informed financial decisions on several topics, from insurance and investments to college planning.
You can find plenty of student loan guides including information about government and private loans, repayment options, and payment strategies; budgeting tools including calculators; and credit education that is useful for college students who are new to credit cards (e.g., ranking of best credit cards for students).
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Fastweb
If you’re looking for the best college that offers excellent financial aid packages, then Fastweb is an excellent website to start your search! Fastweb is a well-known scholarship search platform that also offers financial aid resources for current and prospective college students and their families.
The extensive online database contains updated information on numerous types of financial aid as well as internships. You will appreciate the personalized scholarship matches, too, which are based on your academic qualifications, demographics, and interests.
College students praise these Fastweb features for making their academic journey better in many ways:
- Deadline reminders for financial aid opportunities
- Educational content
- College planning tools
- Community and networking opportunities
Fastweb is also a free service.
Scholarships.com is yet another best college website for financial aid information and opportunities that current and prospective students swear by. The scholarship search engine also serves another function as an educational resource center.
The comprehensive database of scholarship opportunities also features user-friendly tools that match users with the best financial aid programs based on their profiles. Since student life is influenced by financial concerns, finding the best scholarships definitely goes a long way toward peace of mind.
Students and their families can also find:
- Financial aid information that a university or college website may not provide for incoming students
- College planning resources, from the admission and application process to the onboarding process
- Student tools for managing college life
The app may be accessed on mobile devices, where students can set up alerts and notifications.
The Student Doctor Network (SDN) is among the best university websites for current and prospective students pursuing undergraduate and graduate degrees in healthcare, particularly for aspiring physicians and dentists. The large online forum allows students to connect with their peers, from getting answers, seeking advice, and being inspired in their journeys.
If you’re looking for the best college websites for aspiring physicians and dentists, SDN is an excellent information resource, too. Here, you will find plenty of information about medical and dental colleges including their admission statistics, student body, and application process.
There are also test preparation resources, student profiles and experiences, study groups, and mentorship opportunities.
If you prefer listening to a great podcast rather than combing through a website, check out the Top Higher Education Podcasts.
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