- University
An institution of higher learning that is made up of (1) an
undergraduate division (a college) which awards Bachelor degrees (and
sometimes Associate degrees), and, (2) a graduate division which awards
Master, Professional (e.g., degrees in medicine, dentistry, and law), and
Doctorate degrees.
- College—An institution of
higher learning beyond high school.
1. Four-year colleges (also called senior colleges) award Bachelor degrees.
Some four-year colleges also award Associate degrees.
2. Two-year colleges (also called junior or community colleges) award
Associate degrees.
- Public Colleges/University
Publicly supported schools are generally state colleges or universities or
two-year community colleges. The state university or state college is
supported financially by the state in order to make the cost of education
affordable to the greatest number of its residents. Most public colleges
offer in-state residents a significantly lower tuition price than is offered
to residents of other states. Admission requirements for out-of-state
applicants are usually highly selective. This is especially true for the
state university systems in Virginia, Texas, North Carolina, Michigan,
California, and Florida. International students are considered out-of-state
residents and therefore do not benefit from reduced tuition at state
institutions. State universities tend to be very large with enrollments of
20,000 or more students.
- Private Colleges/University
This is an educational institution controlled by a private individual(s) or
by a nongovernmental agency. Private colleges rely more heavily on
tuition, investment income, research contracts, endowments and other private
sources of revenue. They charge the same tuition to all students, both state
and non-state residents. Colleges with a religious affiliation and
single-sex colleges are private. Private colleges are usually more expensive
than public colleges, but may offer smaller class sizes, or additional
scholarships and grants that are not available at public schools. In
general, private universities have enrollments of fewer than 20,000
students, and private colleges may have 2,000 or fewer students on their
campuses. The cost is usually steeper, but don't let that turn you away.
These schools also offer more privately funded scholarships and loans to
make attendance more affordable. Financial aid and work-study are
available.
- Community Colleges
These are public, two-year colleges. Community colleges are a uniquely
American invention, and they are known for a flexible but no-nonsense
approach to higher education. They now enroll almost one-half of all
undergraduates who attend college in this country. They mostly serve
people from nearby communities and offer academic courses, technical
courses, and continuing education courses. Public institutions are supported
by state and local revenues. You can probably find one near your home and
continue to live at home, saving the cost of room and board. Some programs
are strictly academic and designed to prepare students to transfer to
four-year institutions with bachelor's degree programs. Others are more
practical or applied and provide career training in specific areas. After
obtaining your associate degree, you can transfer to a four-year school for
your bachelor's degree. Students who spend their first two years at
community colleges, then go on to graduate from four-year colleges, are as
well prepared academically as those who go directly to four-year colleges.
- Technical Colleges
These are generally colleges that have a special emphasis on
education and training in technical fields. However, although some technical
colleges offer academic courses and programs, not all technical colleges
offer two-year programs that lead to an associate of arts or science degree.
Technical colleges may be private or public. Junior colleges and community
colleges that offer many technical courses are often called "technical
colleges."
- Trade/Vocational Schools
Trade schools-more properly called proprietary schools-are privately owned
and licensed schools offering courses in business, trade, technical,
industrial, or related areas. Some of these schools offer only one area of
study (such as cosmetology), whereas others might offer a variety of
courses. These schools train students in specialized skills for employment.
The length of these programs vary from a few months to two years. Students
are awarded a certificate, diploma, or associate degree.
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