Types of Colleges

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What Suits Your Child Best

What kind of college would your child like to attend? Different types of colleges suit different types of people. Take a look at these descriptions to learn about the options available to your child.

Liberal Arts Colleges

Liberal arts colleges offer a broad base of courses in the humanities, social sciences, and sciences. Most are private and focus mainly on undergraduate students. Classes tend to be small and personal attention is available.

Universities

Generally, a university is bigger than a college and offers more majors and research facilities. Class size is often a reflection of institutional size, and some classes may be taught by graduate students.

Community or Junior Colleges

Community colleges offer a degree after the completion of two years of full-time study. They frequently offer technical programs that prepare students for immediate entry into the job market.

Upper-Division Schools

Upper-division schools offer the last two years of undergraduate study, usually in specialized programs leading to a bachelor's degree. Students generally transfer to an upper-division college after completing an associate's degree or after finishing a second year of study at a four-year college.

Agricultural, Technical, and Other Specialized Colleges

Has your child made a clear decision about a career after college? Specialized colleges emphasize preparation for specific careers. Examples include Art, Music, Bible, Business, Health Science, Seminary, Rabbinical, and Teaching.

Public vs. Private

On the one hand, public colleges are usually less expensive, particularly for in-state residents. They get most of their money from the state or local government. Private colleges rely on tuition, fees, endowments, and other private sources. On the other hand, private colleges are usually smaller and can offer more personalized attention (and some believe, more prestige).

Special Interests

Single-Sex

All four-year public colleges and most private schools are co-ed. In terms of single-sex colleges, there are about 50 specifically for men and about 70 specifically for women. Some may enroll a few men or women.

Religiously Affiliated Colleges

Some private colleges are affiliated with a religious faith. The affiliation may be historic only or it may affect day-to-day student life.

Historically Black Colleges

Historically black colleges find their origins in the time when African American students were systematically denied access to most other colleges and universities. These schools offer students a unique opportunity to experience an educational community in which they're part of the majority.

Hispanic-Serving Institutes

There are about 135 institutions designated by the federal government as "Hispanic-Serving." At these schools, Hispanic students comprise at least 25 percent of the total full-time undergraduate enrollment.

Use College Search

You and your child can use online College Search Tools to look for colleges with any of the above characteristics.