Types of Colleges
Often are larger and offer more majors and degree options—bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees— than colleges. Most contain several smaller colleges, such as colleges of liberal arts, engineering or health sciences. Can prepare you for a variety of careers or for graduate study. The school must offer at least one type of graduate degree.
What is a University?
This label describes schools with few or no graduate programs. Size is not a measure of quality.
What is a College?
Funded by the government and usually offer lower tuition than private colleges, especially for students who are residents of the state where a college is located. Applicants who are from a different state will pay a large additional fee called out-of-state tuition.
Not always more affordable.
What is Public?
Rely mainly on tuition, fees and private sources of funding. Private donations can sometimes provide generous financial aid packages for students.
What is Private?
Offer four-year programs that lead to a bachelor's degree. These include universities and liberal arts colleges.
What is a Four-Year College?
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. Are often an affordable option with relatively low tuition.
What is a Community College?
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.
What is a Liberal Arts College?
These are businesses that offer a variety of degree programs which typically prepare a student for a certain career. They tend to have higher costs, which could lead to graduating in greater debt, and their courses are typically not transferable to other colleges.
What are For-Profit Schools?
Private colleges that are specifically for men or for women.
What is a Single-Gender College?
Originated during a time when African-American students were denied access to most other colleges and universities. There are 100+ that serve a predominantly African-American student body, providing an opportunity to both earn a degree and connect with their cultural heritage.
What is a Historically Black College University (HBCU)?
Colleges or universities where at least 25% of the students enrolled are Hispanic.
What is a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI)?
Colleges and/or universities that serve at least 50% low-income students and at least 10% students who identify as Asian-American, Native-American, or Pacific Islander.
What is an Asian-American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution (AANAPISI)?
Five highly-selective institutions that prepare students to serve immediately as officers in their chosen branch.
What are Military Service Academies?
Some private colleges are connected to a religious faith. The connection may be historic only, or it may affect day-to-day student life.
What are Religiously-Affiliated Colleges?