How to Save and Compare Colleges on College Magazine

You can save and compare colleges on College Magazine by creating an account, browsing or searching for schools, saving the ones you like, and then using the site's comparison tools to view them side by side. The site describes this as "free and no strings attached," and the core workflow is built around four features: a college quiz, saved schools, comparison tools, and a personalized dashboard.

What You Need Before You Start

• A web browser and an internet connection.
• A free College Magazine account, which the site says is required to "save your favorite schools, compare options, and access exclusive resources."
• A rough idea of what you're looking for — location, size, major, or campus vibe — though the quiz can help you figure this out as you go.

Step-by-Step: Saving and Comparing Colleges

1. Take the College Quiz (optional but useful)

The quiz asks you "a little bit about yourself and what you're looking for." Based on your answers, College Magazine generates a personalized list of colleges. This is a good starting point if you don't already have schools in mind.

2. Browse schools and save your favorites

As you explore school profiles, use the Save option on each one. The site lists example schools you can save, including Adelphi University, Santa Fe College, Emerson College, University of South Florida, The College of William and Mary, Temple University, Stanford University, The College of New Jersey, Sarah Lawrence College, Penn State University, Flagler College, and University of California, Santa Cruz.

Each profile includes details like enrollment statistics, class size, campus culture, and student-written descriptions. For example, the Flagler College entry notes an average class size of 18 students, while the Sarah Lawrence College entry describes a liberal arts atmosphere.

3. Build your personalized dashboard

Once you've saved schools, they appear in your dashboard. College Magazine describes this as a place to "build and compare your custom list." The dashboard is where saved schools, quiz results, and comparison tools come together.

4. Compare schools side by side

Use the Compare tool to view saved colleges against each other. The site frames this as a way to "compare schools with ease and clarity to find your perfect academic match." The comparison is designed to cut through marketing language and present facts in a consistent format.

5. Read student reviews

College Magazine emphasizes "Real Talk Reviews" — authentic takes "straight from current students on college campus." These are useful for the things statistics don't capture, like social life, professor accessibility, or campus culture. The site describes its content as "written by students, for students."

6. Explore majors and additional resources

If you're undecided, the site offers guidance on finding a major, plus resources described as "facts that cut through the noise."

What Each Tool Does

Common Snags to Expect

• You need an account to save and compare. Browsing may be open, but saving favorites and using comparison tools requires joining.
• Quiz results are a starting point, not a verdict. Treat the generated list as suggestions to explore, not a final answer.
• Reviews vary in depth. Since they're student-written, quality and detail differ from school to school. Cross-check anything important against official sources.
• Comparison works best with a manageable list. Saving 20 schools makes side-by-side comparison less useful than saving 4–6.

The Short Version

Create a free account, take the quiz if you need direction, save schools as you browse, then use the dashboard and compare tools to weigh your options. Student reviews and major-finding resources fill in the gaps that raw statistics leave open. The whole process is designed to be seamless — the site's own framing is "Find the Best College for You" without the usual friction.