Part of the conversation when students begin to think about universities and colleges in the US is what are the differences between public and private institutions, and is there one that is better for them?

Students often comment about the incredible variety of schools available but sometimes feel overwhelmed about where to focus. To help with this process, I’ve listed below some key differences between these two main groups of schools, and when the final decision is being made, I believe it really comes down to what the student’s priorities are and finding the school that is a great fit for them – both academically and socially.

Public Institutions

Examples of public universities and colleges that are most well known in the US include the UC system (UCLA, UC Berkeley, etc.), U. of Michigan, U. of North Carolina, U. of Virginia, U. of Texas, and William & Mary. Although there is a tremendous amount of range, here are some common themes with the public system:

• Tend to be larger, serve a less diverse population (i.e. most of the students are US citizens and many come from the state the school is in)
• Often have a wide range of subject choices available due to their size and the diverse needs of their students
• Sometimes have larger class sizes
• Serve both undergraduate and graduate students
• Tend to be less expensive for both domestic and international students
• Generally offer little to no scholarship funding for international students as the tax paying US citizens from their state remain the priority
• Usually serve regional populations and be located in capital cities
• Because of their age and size, most public schools have a large and active alumni group that can positively influence outcomes post graduation

Private Institutions

Examples of private universities and colleges most well known in the US include Cornell, Yale, Stanford, and MIT. As with public institutions, there is a great deal of range among them, but here are some common themes:

• They tend to be smaller
• Serve a more geographically diverse student body
• Sometimes offer fewer course options based on having a smaller number of students
• Smaller schools will sometimes focus largely or exclusively on undergraduate programs
• Class sizes are generally smaller
• Fees are often more expensive with the caveat that the school has more control over their finances and can therefore to be more generous with scholarships for international students
• Located in a wider variety of locations – both major cities and rural areas
• Can also offer unique settings such as a purposefully smaller student body, or a very specific academic focus like creative arts or STEM

Also be aware, there is difference between a college and a university in the US. Although both types of institutions are degree granting, colleges are typically smaller, focus on the teaching of undergraduate students, and have fewer types of degrees on offer to students. Universities tend to be larger, teach both undergraduate and graduate students, and have professors that also spend a portion of their time focused on research in addition to their teaching roles.

Exploration and research are your keys to success

When students (and parents!) begin the application process, there are many things to consider and investigate. When considering both public and private schools, it is important to realize that both offer many wonderful opportunities, and I encourage students to actively research and consider both. The US is unique among possible destinations for its very diverse list of universities and colleges available to students, so taking the time to explore all that is possible is key.