Choosing a college is truly a life quest, and I realized this after coming to the U.S.

Unlike Korea, there are so many schools here, and the cost differences are significant. For those living in Brooklyn who are curious about nearby colleges, or for parents considering their children's education, I've organized three accessible colleges in Brooklyn based on my preferred stats.

The first is NYU (New York University). Technically, the main campus is in Manhattan's Greenwich Village, but there is an NYU Tandon School of Engineering campus in Brooklyn's DUMBO. It's just across the Brooklyn Bridge, and you can reach it in about 15 minutes by taking the F, A, or C trains.

NYU Tandon specializes in engineering, computer science, and data science. It ranks around 40th in engineering according to US News, and its computer science degree is well-recognized in the job market. The annual tuition is about $60,000, and there are scholarships and financial aid available.

One advantage is the strong connections to the New York tech job market after graduation. In fact, many Tandon graduates go on to work for companies like Google, Amazon, and Meta. The DUMBO area itself is a startup hub, making it great for networking.

The second is Brooklyn College. It's a four-year college under CUNY (City University of New York) located in the Flatbush area. You can get there by taking the B or Q trains from below Park Slope. Being part of CUNY, the annual tuition for New York state residents is about $7,000, which is overwhelmingly cheaper compared to private colleges. Non-residents pay around $18,000, which is still much lower than private institutions.

It offers a variety of majors, including liberal arts, business, music, film, and education. The Conservatory of Music is particularly well-known, and there are famous alumni from the film department. Classes tend to be smaller rather than large lecture halls. It also has a strong connection to the local Brooklyn community, making it a top choice for those seeking an affordable four-year degree.

The third is Pratt Institute. Located in the Clinton Hill area, it's accessible by walking from the G train at Clinton-Washington Avenues. It's one of the top art and design colleges in the U.S. It excels in architecture, interior design, graphic design, fashion design, fine arts, and library and information science. The annual tuition is about $57,000, and there are financial aid programs available.

According to US News, it consistently ranks in the top 5 design schools each year. The campus is designed like a sculpture park, providing an aesthetically pleasing environment. If you have a creative child or are pursuing a career in art or design, I highly recommend it.

There are also opportunities to connect with industry professionals through portfolio classes. By the way, a friend of mine who studied architecture there mentioned that the workload is intense. He described it as feeling like clearing a raid dungeon in a game, so be prepared for that.

When choosing a college, be sure to check not only the tuition but also employment statistics by major and average salaries after graduation. You can compare key metrics for each school on the College Scorecard (collegescorecard.ed.gov) website. Financial aid applications start with FAFSA, which opens every year on October 1st.