COLLEGE TYPE
College vs. University:
The terms college and university are generally used interchangeably to describe institutions with at least four years of higher education. However, a college is often thought of as a four-year educational institution that only offers bachelor’s degrees, whereas a university generally offers bachelors, masters, and Ph.D. degrees. There are over 2500 four-year colleges and universities in the United States.
Community College vs. Junior College:
Both community and junior colleges are the same type of two-year higher education institutions offering associate degrees. “Junior” college was the term commonly used through the 1970s, but the term “community” college is more common today. City colleges and military junior colleges also fall into this category. There are over 1,500 two-year colleges in the United States. Typically, two-year colleges have:
- An open admission policy that is less rigorous than a four-year college,
- Only require a high-school transcript or General Education Degree (GED),
- The core or basic subject credits earned at a two-year college usually will transfer to a four-year college, and
- The tuition per semester is less expensive than at four-year colleges.
Liberal Arts College:
An undergraduate institution that is usually smaller in size (i.e., approx. <5,000 students) with student-to-professor ratios of approximately 10-20 students per professor. Most liberal arts colleges are private colleges (see Public vs. Private Colleges below). A liberal arts college offers traditional teaching in a wide variety of the humanities and sciences, rather than a specific vocational, technical or professional major. Liberal arts colleges award bachelor’s degrees following a four-year course of study, and very few offer post-graduate programs for masters or Ph.D degrees.
Public vs. Private Colleges:
Public colleges and universities are largely supported by state funds and are often less expensive to attend if the student lives in the same state (see Tuition below). Private institutions are supported by tuition and donations from alumni and friends of the college (i.e., endowments). Usually, the tuition for private colleges is more expensive than public colleges, but private colleges may offer more scholarships.
DEGREES
Associate vs. Bachelor Degree:
An associate degree is an undergraduate degree awarded upon completion of a course of study generally lasting two years. Associate degrees are usually obtained at community colleges, junior colleges and technical colleges but may also be earned at a four-year college. Examples of careers that require an associate degree include lab technician, teacher in early-childhood programs, computer technician, draftsman, radiation therapist, paralegal and machinist. Bachelor degrees are obtained at four-year colleges and universities and are earned for an undergraduate course of study that generally requires three to five years of study (depending on institution and field of study).
ENROLLMENT STATUS
Full-time vs. Part-time Enrollment:
Students who commit to at least 12 hours (typically 4 classes) of weekly classroom attendance are considered full-time students; those who take less than 12 hours/week (e.g., 1-3 classes) are considered part-time students. Each college has its own specific definition of full-time and part-time status. Many students attend college part-time while working in a job to support themselves.