The 2018 edition of the U.S. News Best Colleges guidebook offers comprehensive advice for high school students and their families on researching their college choices, drawing up a smart shortlist, putting together a slam-dunk application and coming up with the money to pay the bills. Find out what programs you can look for that will raise your chances of thriving as a freshman, the many ways to wow the admissions office, and how to negotiate the best possible financial aid package. You’ll also get the latest Best Colleges rankings: exclusive lists of the country's top national universities, liberal arts colleges, regional colleges and universities, historically black colleges and universities, and undergraduate engineering and business programs. Also: Which schools leave grads with the heaviest and lightest debt loads? Plus: • A look at streamlined programs you can apply to in high school that take you through law school or medical school • How 8 recent high school grads chose their colleges – and got in • How to write a terrific application essay • Take a road trip with U.S. News to 12 colleges and universities in Washington state, Ohio, and North Carolina • What you need to know to get a great financial aid package • State by state directory profiling over 1,600 schools Note: Advertisements from universities and other reputable organizations enable us to offer this valuable guidebook at an affordable price. Advertisements do not influence current or future rankings.