Public vs Private Colleges and Universities
What type of school is right for you?
In the U.S., you can attend either a public or a private university. Choosing the best school for you is a balancing act. The tuition cost must be balanced with other factors, such as the size and number of degrees a school offers.
When choosing a university, there are four main factors to consider: money, size, educational options, and activities. Below is a table that compares these factors between public and private schools.
The Four Main Factors Heading link
| Public colleges and universities | Private colleges and universities | |
|---|---|---|
| Money Issues | ||
| Partially funded by the government, so might be cheaper | Funded privately, so might be more expensive | |
| Tuition for international students is more than for local students. | Tuition is the same for everyone but might be more expensive than a public university | |
| Are non-profit | Can be for-profit or non-profit. | |
| Size Issues | ||
| Large and very large campuses | Smaller campuses | |
| Thousands of students | Fewer students | |
| Some very large class sizes | Generally smaller campuses | |
| Educational Choices | ||
| Many types of degrees | Fewer types of degrees | |
| Many majors and fields | Fewer majors and fields | |
| More competitive especially for certain majors | Less competitive generally, easier to get into your major | |
| Activities | ||
| Athletics, arts, participatory groups are more competitive | More opportunity for involvement in competitive activities | |
| Hundreds of clubs and organizations | Many clubs and organizations | |
| Can be in urban or rural areas; pay attention for things you like to do in your free time | Can be in urban or rural areas; pay attention for things you like to do in your free time |