Includes index.

Study the schools -- Take a road trip -- The U.S. News rankings -- Getting in -- Finding the money.

The U.S. News Best Colleges guidebook offers comprehensive advice for high school students and their families on researching their college choices, narrowing down a smart shortlist, putting together a slam-dunk application and finding the money once you're in. Find out how colleges are overhauling their programs to make sure students succeed, what you need to know now to increase your chances of getting a job later and how to negotiate the best possible financial aid package. You'll also get our new exclusive college rankings. Discover the country's best universities, liberal arts colleges, regional colleges and universities, historically black colleges and universities, and undergraduate engineering programs and business programs.