What’s The Difference Between A Public And Private College?

The major difference between a public and a private college is that the government funds public colleges, whereas private colleges depend more upon tuition fees and endowments. Private colleges that are run for profit like businesses are more concerned with making money. The focus of nonprofit private colleges is more on providing the students with quality education, and as such, they have a better reputation. These are some of the key differences between public and private colleges are.

Tuition Fees

As the government funds public colleges, they can charge lower tuition rates, especially to in-state students. The students don’t have to pay the full price of the cost of attendance as government subsidies cover them.  National Center for Education Statistics shows the average current fees of four years of college for in-state students at public colleges to be $8,487 as compared to $30,065 for the same period of studies at private colleges.

Offered Programs

There is a wider variety of majors and minors to choose from in a public school or college than private colleges, which usually offer only a few academic majors. Public colleges are a good choice for those students who have not decided on the field and degree they want to graduate in.

Research

Public colleges provide more research and laboratory facilities. Serious students can find great opportunities for research on campus with the public colleges’ resources. However, some private colleges spend millions of dollars on research and development like the John Hopkins and Cornell University.

Campus Size

The campus, classrooms, and student population size are all much bigger in public colleges than in private ones. Public colleges are more equipped to meet all the needs of their students.  Some of these public colleges can boast of having restaurants, movie theaters, and other entertainment options for the students and often provide transportation facilities.

Financial Assistance

The ability of private colleges to offer attractive financial aid and scholarship packages to students is more than that of public colleges. However, funds and grants are provided by both private and public colleges to deserving students.

Accreditation And Admissions

The gold standard of accreditation is regional accreditation connected to the highest educational standards. Almost all public colleges are regionally accredited, whereas private colleges are accredited only nationally. Admissions in public colleges are less competitive when compared to private colleges, but private ones have better placement rates than public colleges.

Conclusion

These are some of the many factors that differentiate public colleges from private colleges. The quality of education in a private college is not necessarily better or superior to education obtained in a public college. Some public colleges are ranked as high and carry as much prestige as exclusive private colleges. Both public and private colleges have their own pros and cons, and a student should choose a college that most suits their requirements.