Have you ever wondered what are the differences between a college and a university? Some people ponder as to why some institutions are called colleges while the others go by the name universities. Most people assume that colleges refer to private institutions whereas universities are funded by the state. There are yet others who think that a university provides better quality education than a local college. In reality though, the difference between colleges and universities are much harder to define.
A college is a smaller institution that generally offers undergraduate and degrees. Some colleges like community colleges and junior colleges offer only two-year programs, but most colleges offer a Bachelor’s degree and sometimes even an associate degree. A university, on the other hand, is an institution that offers both undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate degrees. Universities typically offer a graduate program that leads to a master’s degree or a Ph.D. Some universities offer a special program where students can earn both an undergraduate degree as well as a graduate degree in a short period of time. As universities have more students enrolled in them than a college has, they offer more classes and programs. These institutions may also have medical or law school for students interested in pursuing professional degrees.
Most of the times, the thin line between a college and a university can appear to be blur. However, there is no questioning that both of them are academic equals. Choosing the best out of the two completely relies on the individual need of the student. If a student is looking for a variety of classes under one campus, then the university may be the right choice for him/her; but if the student is looking for a smaller, more personalized classroom setting and a personal interaction with the professors, then a college would best suit his/her needs. Anyone with plans on just getting a bachelor’s degree would fit better in a college as the name of the college, in the long run, might not be as important as you fitting in.
Some universities in spite of offering students a graduate program prefer to call themselves colleges simply because of the tradition. Another common factor between colleges and universities is that both these institutions offer a graduate program and they can both be either public or private. The term ‘going to college’ can mean going to a college or a university in the United States. Admission requirements for universities and colleges differ only according to selectivity; some colleges are more selective than universities.
In spite of all the differences between colleges and universities, they are both great academic centers, which challenge the mind of students and mold them to be the best that they can be in the near future. Colleges and universities help a student to become a great citizen of the nation first, so that they can make an impact on the society with their professional careers.
