Gone are the days of a special elite with their loafers and tattered books, attending a limited number of institutions to ensure their future in a higher income bracket and lifestyle. Forget the standard 20 or 30 majors your parents remember being offered at college. It's a different ballgame now.

We discovered there are a lot of really good schools out there, with programs and opportunities that we in our wildest imaginations (and our imaginations are pretty wild) would never have thought existed.

Our idea is this: the "best" college is now the "best fit"—the school with the right facilities, location, major, size, and attitude. Maybe you want to live on a farm and create art. Maybe you want to be in a different part of the world every single semester. Maybe you never want to step outside of a lab.

We've examined more than 600 colleges and universities to help you find your best fit. Check out our categories below.

As in "little pond." Let's face it . . . some schools are so mammoth that it's nearly impossible not to get lost in the tide. Big Fish schools may not have crazy curriculums or fancy pedigrees, but they do offer a quality education and a chance for students to shine. They frequently have a stand-out program or two, and some surprisingly high-profile faculty members or alumni. Big Fish schools are excellent choices for students who don't relish the thought of living on a massive campus with thousands upon thousands of other students. And you may not have to lie, cheat, steal, or kill to get ahead. You can be the star student, or just get a sterling education in a particular major. Search for all Big Fish schools...

Welcome to the world of the highly innovative, experimental learner. These colleges are unique, just like the students they serve, and come with innovative educational components such as co-curricular studies, create-your-own programs, and/or a major emphasis on community service, hands-on experience, and/or study abroad. And don't make the mistake of thinking these are schools that have blossomed overnight—many Big Ideas are venerable institutions that have produced legions of forward-thinking graduates. These schools also vary tremendously in character—some have organic havens, others have month-long programs where students learn on the "job," instead of being stuck in a classroom...you really never know what will turn up a Big Idea. Search for all Big Idea schools...

Yeah, you want the sweatshirt. Going to one of these schools gives you automatic bragging rights. These schools are good, and everyone knows it. With heavy-hitters on the faculty, huge endowments, and loyal alumni who throw fistfuls of cash in their direction, these schools tend to attract academically aggressive students. Because students at these schools are almost always driven (if not alarmingly competitive), the atmosphere can sometimes be a bit much. If you're expecting a laid-back college experience, you may not get it here-pressure junkies, however, may feel right at home. Though no school can guarantee success, you'll be well set up for it at a Big Rep; this also means that you have a lot to live up to when you leave. Search for all Big Rep schools...

These schools are for all types of students. Your financial need has no bearing on what you're like as a student. Remember: schools will often work with you to create financial aid packages, so don't limit your choices purely to schools with low tuition. If your dream school is a $40,000 a year Big Rep—and $40,000 is well beyond your means—check it out anyway. Search for all Big Deal schools...