SORTING OUT THE TYPES OF COLLEGES
Is a college the same thing as a university? What does "liberal arts" mean? Why are some colleges called public and others private? Most importantly, which is the best fit for you? There are many types of higher education institutions that students should look into when applying to college. The most well-known types of schools are 4-year universities, but did you know 40% of undergraduates attend community college? Have you ever heard of trade or vocational schools?
Check out the information below to help you decide which type of school is right for you:
Is a college the same thing as a university? What does "liberal arts" mean? Why are some colleges called public and others private? Most importantly, which is the best fit for you? There are many types of higher education institutions that students should look into when applying to college. The most well-known types of schools are 4-year universities, but did you know 40% of undergraduates attend community college? Have you ever heard of trade or vocational schools?
Check out the information below to help you decide which type of school is right for you:
Public and private colleges
Public colleges are funded by local and state governments and usually offer lower tuition rates than private colleges, especially for students who are residents of the state where a college is located.Private colleges rely mainly on tuition, fees and private sources of funding. Private donations can sometimes provide generous financial aid packages for students.
For-profit colleges
These are businesses that offer a variety of degree programs which typically prepare students for a specific career. They tend to have higher costs, which could mean graduating with more debt. Credits earned may not transfer to other colleges, so be sure to check with the admission office at each college.
Four-year and two-year colleges
Four-year colleges offer four-year programs that lead to a bachelor's degree. These include universities and liberal arts colleges. Two-year colleges offer programs that last up to two years that lead to a certificate or an associate degree. These include community colleges, vocational-technical colleges and career colleges.
Liberal arts colleges
These colleges offer a broad base of courses in the liberal arts, which includes areas such as literature, history, languages, mathematics and life sciences. Most are private and offer four-year programs that lead to a bachelor's degree. These colleges can prepare you for a variety of careers or for graduate study.
Universities
Universities often are larger and offer more majors and degree options—bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees—than colleges. Most universities contain several smaller colleges, such as colleges of liberal arts, engineering or health sciences. These colleges can prepare you for a variety of careers or for graduate study.
Community colleges
Community Colleges offer two-year associate degrees that prepare you to transfer to a four-year college to earn a bachelor's degree. They also offer other associate degrees and certificates that focus on preparing you for a certain career. Community colleges are often an affordable option with relatively low tuition.
Vocational-technical and career colleges
Vocational-technical and career colleges offer specialized training in a particular industry or career. Possible programs of study include the culinary arts, firefighting, dental hygiene and medical-records technology. These colleges usually offer certificates or associate degrees.
Community Colleges offer two-year associate degrees that prepare you to transfer to a four-year college to earn a bachelor's degree. They also offer other associate degrees and certificates that focus on preparing you for a certain career. Community colleges are often an affordable option with relatively low tuition.
Vocational-technical and career colleges
Vocational-technical and career colleges offer specialized training in a particular industry or career. Possible programs of study include the culinary arts, firefighting, dental hygiene and medical-records technology. These colleges usually offer certificates or associate degrees.
Colleges with a Special Focus- Some colleges focus on a specific interest or student population. These include:
Arts colleges
Art colleges and conservatories focus on the arts. In addition to regular course work, these colleges provide training in areas such as photography, music, theater or fashion design. Most of these colleges offer associate or bachelor's degrees in the fine arts or a specialized field.
Single-sex colleges
All four-year public colleges, and most private colleges, are coed. But there are some private colleges that are specifically for men or for women.
Religiously affiliated colleges
Some private colleges are connected to a religious faith. The connection may be historic only, or it may affect day-to-day student life.
Specialized-mission colleges
Historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) focus on educating African American students. Hispanic-serving institutions (HSIs) are colleges where at least 25 percent of the full-time undergraduate students are Hispanic. HBCUs and HSIs may offer programs, services and activities targeted to the underrepresented students they serve.
Arts colleges
Art colleges and conservatories focus on the arts. In addition to regular course work, these colleges provide training in areas such as photography, music, theater or fashion design. Most of these colleges offer associate or bachelor's degrees in the fine arts or a specialized field.
Single-sex colleges
All four-year public colleges, and most private colleges, are coed. But there are some private colleges that are specifically for men or for women.
Religiously affiliated colleges
Some private colleges are connected to a religious faith. The connection may be historic only, or it may affect day-to-day student life.
Specialized-mission colleges
Historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) focus on educating African American students. Hispanic-serving institutions (HSIs) are colleges where at least 25 percent of the full-time undergraduate students are Hispanic. HBCUs and HSIs may offer programs, services and activities targeted to the underrepresented students they serve.
How do you know which type of school is best for you?
Four-Year Colleges and Universities
Many students choose to go to traditional four-year colleges or universities. These generally lead to a bachelor's degree, and can be broken down into two categories: liberal arts colleges and universities.
Liberal Arts Colleges: Typically, students enrolled at a liberal arts college study courses in literature, philosophy, history, languages, mathematics, humanities, and social and natural sciences. These schools tend to be small, private and without a graduate school.
Universities: Universities are generally larger and have a variety of degree options available. Many times, universities will contain several colleges within that campus that you may have to apply to specifically. Universities often have graduate schools as well, and you can earn a master's or doctoral degree as well as a bachelor's.
Benefits to a Four-Year Education:
· People often change career choices, so certification programs in specific areas may not be ideal. Instead, a broader degree can lead to many different careers.
· There are huge learning opportunities on and off campus. Four-year institutions often provide students with amazing opportunities to get involved around campus and in the community.
· The academic quality is generally higher.
· Students can earn a bachelor's degree faster than if they first attend a different type of institution.
· For students who have no idea what they want to study, most four-year schools allow them to explore different areas before choosing their major.
Community Colleges and 2-Year Colleges
Community colleges are the most common type of two-year colleges. They are designed to prepare you to continue your education or to enter the workforce immediately upon graduation. They offer some types of associate degrees that allow you to transfer to a four-year college to earn a bachelor's degree. Other types of associate degrees and certificates focus on career readiness. They charge relatively low tuition to in-state residents and many students save even more money by living at home. Financial aid is available, but because tuition is less expensive, it is usually low. More than 40% of undergraduate students attend community college, usually aged 18 to 24. Many times, working adults, retirees, and other adults who want to learn also attend community college, either full or part-time.
Average price: less than $3,000 a year for tuition and fees
Benefits to a Two-Year Education:
· Can prepare you to transfer to a four-year college
· Can prepare you to enter the workforce sooner
· You can earn a certificate or degree in a career-oriented field
· Open admission
· You can go to college even if your high school transcript isn't strong
· You can try college to see if you're ready
· Flexible, convenient schedule
· Can attend full time or part time
· Schedule courses around home and work commitments
· There's a campus within a short driving distance of almost every town in the US
· Can explore different subjects before committing to a program without having to be too concerned about tuition costs
· Can remain close to home
· Wide variety of activities and sense of community, even if students don't live on campus
Trade and Vocational Schools If you already know exactly what industry or career you want to enter, then a trade or vocational school may be for you! These schools don't require you to take classes in a broad range of subjects; instead, you focus only on your area of interest (such as culinary arts or dental hygiene). Upon completion of your program, you receive a certificate or an associate degree.
Benefits to a Trade or Vocational School Education:
· You can have a successful career and get the training necessary, without needing a college degree
· Often times, schools provide you with hands-on work in your field
· You can always transfer to a four-year institution if you desire
· Employment rate is extremely high: 97% after graduation, with over 80% in the field of their certificate
· Students only have to study subjects that apply to their field of interest
Source: CollegeBoard, 2011.
For the full article about different types of schools, check it out here.
For the full article about community colleges, check it out here.
For the full article about vocational and trade schools, check it out here.
Four-Year Colleges and Universities
Many students choose to go to traditional four-year colleges or universities. These generally lead to a bachelor's degree, and can be broken down into two categories: liberal arts colleges and universities.
Liberal Arts Colleges: Typically, students enrolled at a liberal arts college study courses in literature, philosophy, history, languages, mathematics, humanities, and social and natural sciences. These schools tend to be small, private and without a graduate school.
Universities: Universities are generally larger and have a variety of degree options available. Many times, universities will contain several colleges within that campus that you may have to apply to specifically. Universities often have graduate schools as well, and you can earn a master's or doctoral degree as well as a bachelor's.
Benefits to a Four-Year Education:
· People often change career choices, so certification programs in specific areas may not be ideal. Instead, a broader degree can lead to many different careers.
· There are huge learning opportunities on and off campus. Four-year institutions often provide students with amazing opportunities to get involved around campus and in the community.
· The academic quality is generally higher.
· Students can earn a bachelor's degree faster than if they first attend a different type of institution.
· For students who have no idea what they want to study, most four-year schools allow them to explore different areas before choosing their major.
Community Colleges and 2-Year Colleges
Community colleges are the most common type of two-year colleges. They are designed to prepare you to continue your education or to enter the workforce immediately upon graduation. They offer some types of associate degrees that allow you to transfer to a four-year college to earn a bachelor's degree. Other types of associate degrees and certificates focus on career readiness. They charge relatively low tuition to in-state residents and many students save even more money by living at home. Financial aid is available, but because tuition is less expensive, it is usually low. More than 40% of undergraduate students attend community college, usually aged 18 to 24. Many times, working adults, retirees, and other adults who want to learn also attend community college, either full or part-time.
Average price: less than $3,000 a year for tuition and fees
Benefits to a Two-Year Education:
· Can prepare you to transfer to a four-year college
· Can prepare you to enter the workforce sooner
· You can earn a certificate or degree in a career-oriented field
· Open admission
· You can go to college even if your high school transcript isn't strong
· You can try college to see if you're ready
· Flexible, convenient schedule
· Can attend full time or part time
· Schedule courses around home and work commitments
· There's a campus within a short driving distance of almost every town in the US
· Can explore different subjects before committing to a program without having to be too concerned about tuition costs
· Can remain close to home
· Wide variety of activities and sense of community, even if students don't live on campus
Trade and Vocational Schools If you already know exactly what industry or career you want to enter, then a trade or vocational school may be for you! These schools don't require you to take classes in a broad range of subjects; instead, you focus only on your area of interest (such as culinary arts or dental hygiene). Upon completion of your program, you receive a certificate or an associate degree.
Benefits to a Trade or Vocational School Education:
· You can have a successful career and get the training necessary, without needing a college degree
· Often times, schools provide you with hands-on work in your field
· You can always transfer to a four-year institution if you desire
· Employment rate is extremely high: 97% after graduation, with over 80% in the field of their certificate
· Students only have to study subjects that apply to their field of interest
Source: CollegeBoard, 2011.
For the full article about different types of schools, check it out here.
For the full article about community colleges, check it out here.
For the full article about vocational and trade schools, check it out here.