There’s nothing quite like coming home to thick, lovely envelopes containing college acceptance letters from different colleges you applied for. You did it! You got accepted! These white envelopes are going to change your life forever.

But if you’ve received more than one college acceptance letter, how are you going to decide which college to attend? Today’s back to school tips will give you some pointers on making the biggest decision of your life. No pressure.

1. Compare tuition costs and cost of living. While college a university in New York City would be ultra-glamorous and practically the center of the world, it’s going to cost far more than a campus in Omaha, Nebraska. When you get down to it, $400/month rent vs. $1500/month rent can add up after four years.
2. Job placement program. In today’s tough job market, having a college committed to helping place you in a job after graduation is critical. Look for career support in resume building, help with mock job interviews, and job recruiters who come on campus.
3. Compare apples to apples. For an overview of how different colleges directly compare, use sites like CollegeBoard.com and PrincetonReview.com to get a breakdown.
4. Scholarship options. If you received a full ride from a particular college, that would be a definite reason to seriously consider attending their school.
5. In-state vs. out-of-state tuition. When you attend a college in your home state, you have the benefit of in-state tuition costs compared to the additional out-of-state tuition fees. If you’re lucky enough to live in Nevada, they reward college students staying in-state with $10,000 scholarships!
6. Experience the campus firsthand. Taking in the college atmosphere firsthand will help you see if it’s a culture you could picture yourself in. Pay attention to how you feel when you’re on the campus and trust your instincts.
7. How do students rate the school? There’s no better way than hearing it straight from people who’ve spent time on campus. BusinessWeek has compiled school rankings based on what the students had to say.
8. Study abroad programs. The perfect time to travel the world is when you are young and unattached. Thanks to study abroad programs, you can do a semester in London, Tokyo, or even India.
9. Do they offer online classes? Though life on campus is a big part of the whole college experience, having the option to take online classes is great, just in case something important comes up. Case in point, just before graduation, there was a girl whose father was diagnosed with cancer. Thanks to online classes, she was able to continue with her classes and still spend valuable time with her family.