There are many ways to go about researching colleges and developing a shortlist of possibilities. You might start by considering whether a public vs. private university is the right choice for you. There is no universally correct answer; it all depends on what you’re looking for in a school and what your goals are. Before you can choose between public and private universities, you’ll need to know what the differences between them are.
Key Differences Between Private vs. Public Colleges
The main difference between a public vs. private university lies in their name: A public university is predominantly publicly funded by the state government, whereas a private university is predominantly funded by tuition fees and endowments.
Of course, the main funding source of the colleges on your list probably isn’t the most significant factor in choosing a college. Instead, you’ll want to look at the differences that can directly affect your education and career goals.
Here’s a breakdown that can help you decide whether a public or private college is best for you:
Academic Program Offerings
If you browse the list of majors available at a public college vs. a private college, you’re likely to notice that there are many more academic programs available at the public school. Public universities are known for offering a vast range of academic programs, whereas private schools, such as liberal arts colleges, usually offer a somewhat shorter list. The upside is, however, that you may be more likely to find specialized options at private schools, such as Egyptology or comic art.
Both public and private colleges generally allow self-designed majors, in which a student creates their own major by combining courses from multiple academic programs. This can be a good option for out-of-the-box thinkers with diverse interests. At a public school, self-designed majors have a larger course catalog to choose from. At a private school, however, these students may benefit from more intensive faculty mentorship.
Of course, the number of majors a school offers shouldn’t be your top priority; your only concern here is whether the school offers an academic program that aligns with your interests and career goals. You’ll want to consider the strength of the academic department and its reputation, along with the availability of your preferred major.
Admissions Odds
In some cases, if you’re applying to a public college in your state of residence, you might have an edge in the admissions process, and you can expect to pay a lower in-state tuition rate. You could certainly apply to a public school in a different state, but you’ll most likely pay the out-of-state tuition rate.
Another difference between a private vs. state college is that some public universities have auto-admit policies. An auto-admit policy means that students are automatically accepted to that school if they achieve certain benchmarks. For example, the University of Texas at Austin (UT-Austin) automatically admits students who are in the top 5% of their graduating class. Other public schools in Texas have similar auto-admit policies, with differing benchmarks.
Campus Life
Campus life may not be your only consideration when choosing a school, but it is an important one. You’ll want to feel at home in your new community. There can be a marked difference between campus cultures at state universities vs. private colleges.
Public schools tend to have much larger student populations than private colleges. As such, you’re more likely to encounter a broader range of campus activities, including sororities and fraternities, larger and more diverse athletic programs, and hundreds of clubs and student organizations.
Although there are some large private schools, by and large, private colleges tend to have a smaller student body. You’ll still find many different extracurriculars, events, and other activities, but on a smaller scale. Because of these differences, private schools might be better for students who are interested in a close-knit campus community, whereas public schools can be ideal for students who appreciate a vibrant social scene with many different options.
Campus culture is about more than just social activities, however. Another consideration is religious affiliation. Public schools are not affiliated with any specific religion, whereas private schools can be. Baylor University, the University of Notre Dame, and Brigham Young University are examples of faith-based private schools.
Class Sizes and Learning Environment
Public universities tend to feature well-populated lecture hall classes, whereas private colleges often have smaller classes (but it depends on the college). At a private school, you might still have a few large lecture classes (especially for 101 classes), but you’ll also have plenty of smaller discussion classes.
Class size might not seem all that important at first glance, but it does factor into a student’s academic experience. Small classes that emphasize discussion can encourage more active participation in the learning experience. They also provide more opportunities for faculty mentorship, with a close-knit learning environment.
On the other hand, larger class sizes can be ideal for independent learners. Additionally, public school students can still visit their professors during office hours when needed
Research Opportunities
If you’re an aspiring STEM major who is eager to participate in undergraduate research opportunities, a public school might be the best option for you. Thanks to government funding, public schools tend to offer more robust research opportunities and well-equipped labs. Of course, there are many exceptions to this (e.g. Cornell and Johns Hopkins). Students should do their homework when building their college list if specific research opportunities are a big factor in their college decision.
Scholarships/Funding Your Education
For many students, cost and financial aid are significant factors in making a college decision. Public schools have an edge here, particularly if you qualify for the in-state student tuition rate. Private schools tend to have higher tuition fees listed on their websites, but keep in mind that initial number does not factor in financial aid or scholarships.
You may qualify for federal student aid regardless of whether you attend a public vs. private university. However, you may receive a more generous financial aid offer overall from a public college.
Despite this, if your family is of limited means, you shouldn’t automatically rule out a private school. It may still be worth it to apply and see what your financial aid offer is. Like we mentioned, private universities often have large endowments that allow them to offer generous institutional scholarships, and some even offer free tuition to students below a certain income threshold.
Resources
Beyond research facilities, large public schools may offer more resources than private schools, particularly compared to smaller liberal arts colleges. A public university may have a more robust career services department, with more industry connections for internship opportunities.
In general, public schools may also offer more extensive academic support, such as tutoring centers, writing centers, career centers, and larger libraries, along with more campus amenities like fitness/recreation centers and student health centers. On the other hand, some private schools are larger than others and may have the same resources available. It varies depending on where you plan to apply.
In short, while it’s helpful to understand the differences between public and private colleges to get a general sense of which might be best for you, you should still compare colleges on a case-by-case basis.
Finding Your Fit: Which Path Is Right for You?
You’re likely to spend plenty of time thinking about your college options, especially as you reach your junior and senior years. Researching your options can aid in the decision process, as can talking to others, such as your family members. It’s also helpful to consult an admissions expert.
At KD College Prep, our college admissions experts have helped thousands of students find the right fit for them. With our APPLY NOW!™ Advantage Program, we’ll break down the entire admissions process into more manageable components—all leading up to your decision.
What should I look for when choosing a college?
It’s best to evaluate a variety of factors when choosing a college. Start by developing a list of your must-haves and nice-to-haves. Then, see how the colleges on your list fare on each item on your list.
Some factors to consider include:
- Academic strengths
- Research opportunities
- Financial aid
- Campus culture
- Internships/other professional opportunities
- Grad school/job placement stats
- Course catalog
- Location
Should we tour both private and public colleges?
Some students may visit each college on their shortlist, while others need to be a bit more selective. It depends largely on your family’s resources and the distance between your home and each college.
Have a frank conversation with your parent(s) about college visits. Discuss which colleges you’re interested in and whether they are within driving distance. Once you have an understanding of your family’s capabilities, you can start planning college tours. If you’re not able to visit all of the schools on your list, prioritize the ones you’re most interested in and sign up for virtual tours for the rest.
For more tips, check out our college visit checklist.
What factors mattered most to former KD students when deciding on a college?
Here at KD, we love seeing our students find the right fit for them! Each of the students we tutor and coach has their own dreams for the future, and those dreams shape their college choices. One of the most important factors for KD students in choosing a college is the strength of the academic department they’d like to join. In other words, how can a particular school help a student achieve their career goals?
Other factors include:
- Secondary academic interests (double majors or minors)
- Research opportunities
- Extracurriculars
- Campus culture
- Class sizes
- Mission and values (e.g., community service)
What are some things I can do now to prepare for college admissions?
It all depends on where you are in the process. It’s ideal to start preparing for college admissions early, but if you haven’t yet, it’s never too late to get started. If you’re just getting started in high school, start exploring your interests (academic and otherwise), meet with your guidance counselor to discuss course selection, and sign up for a test prep program.
If you’re a junior or senior, you’ll need to buckle down on your studies, take challenging coursework, complete structured test prep, take the admissions tests, and build compelling college applications.
If you aren’t quite sure where to start, it’s helpful to work with an expert at KD College Prep who can provide a personalized blueprint.
Need help preparing for college?
Planning ahead for college can help you achieve your goals, but you don’t have to do it alone. For something as important as your or your child’s future, you’ll want expert guidance along the way. The College Prep Package from KD College Prep combines our signature programs for greater savings, including both test prep and complete admissions guidance. Get in touch today for a free consultation.
