What’s the Difference Between College and University?
It’s one of life’s great mysteries: What exactly is the difference between a college and a university? You’re not the only one confused by these terms.
“That line [between colleges and universities] is so blurred now, and I think that's a benefit,” says Derek Nettingham, director of undergraduate recruitment at USF. Instead of worrying about labels, “pick the institution that matches you,” Nettingham advises.
“When you feel like, ‘This is right for me,’ that's where you need to be,” Nettingham says, whether that’s a community college, a private college, a public university, or another form of higher ed.
Let’s tackle the difference between colleges and universities so you can find your just-right fit.
What Is a Public Versus Private College or University?
Here’s a more useful distinction than colleges versus universities: public schools versus private ones.
Public universities receive funding from the government in addition to donations and tuition. That means tuition is often more affordable, especially if you attend an in-state school.
Because private schools do not receive as much government funding as public ones, they rely on donations and tuition to pay their bills. That means your tuition will likely be higher at a private college, but you might receive generous financial aid.
What Is a College?
In the U.S., we use college (“Congrats! You’re going to college!”) to describe any education you receive after high school. But colleges are a specific type of higher-ed school.
Usually, a college offers undergraduate degrees but not graduate programs. Colleges often have a smaller student body, a more intimate campus vibe, and a special focus—like an emphasis on liberal arts or student demographics.
Colleges tend to focus on teaching and don’t conduct the level of research you’d find at a university. However, if hands-on experience is important to you, you can still snag internships and service learning.
Most four-year colleges are privately funded, although (as with every definition in the post!) there are some exceptions.
What Is a Liberal Arts College?
Liberal arts colleges offer associate and bachelor’s degrees. Appealing to free-thinking, intellectually curious students, liberal arts schools emphasize a broader curriculum that includes soft skills like critical thinking and communication. These schools are usually privately funded, which can make your tuition costlier, so applying for scholarships is crucial.
“Everyone knows the quintessential, small liberal arts experience, right?” Nettingham says, referring to the interdisciplinary coursework and tight-knit community. “Some students love that. They're like, ‘That was my campus experience; it was smaller. We were all on the same kind of wavelength as far as academic pathways.’”
Don’t let the name confuse you: Liberal arts colleges are not fine arts schools (which we’ll discuss later). You can get all kinds of degrees there, including scientific ones.
What Is a Community College?
Two-year community colleges provide associate degrees, certificates, and technical/vocational programs. They usually appeal to commuters and non-traditional learners, so you won’t find the same level of campus activities or housing as you would at a four-year school. These schools are publicly funded, making tuition very affordable.
“If you're not super pressed on the campus experience, save yourself some money. If you're staying home, commuting, working full-time, then maybe a community college is best for you, because you're going to get an amazing education,” Nettingham says.
Even if you’re seeking a bachelor’s degree, you can start at a community college and transfer through “pathway programs.” For example, FUSE offers guaranteed admission into specific majors at USF to students who complete their associate degree at a partner school.
What Is a State College?
Certain community colleges have added four-year degree options and more robust campus programs, turning themselves into state colleges instead of community colleges.
The experience at state colleges varies. Some might offer bachelor’s degrees, but still have the smaller, non-traditional vibes of a community college. Others, like Broward College in Florida, provide “everything any university has: size, student orgs, engagement,” says Nettingham.
What Is a University?
Universities offer both undergraduate and graduate programs. On a university campus, you could earn everything from an associate degree to a PhD. Thanks to a variety of degree programs, universities usually have a larger student body.
At a university, you’ll find the traditional collegiate experience: a larger campus, intercollegiate sports, research opportunities, robust student organizations, and on-campus housing, explains Nettingham.
Many universities are public, but there are private ones, too, including Ivy League schools like Brown University.
What Is a Research University?
Most universities conduct research in addition to teaching. Not all universities conduct the same level of research, though, so if this is important to you, look for schools known for their high-impact work. They’re usually identified as research universities.
For example, USF is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), which is a prestigious, invitation-only association of the top research universities in North America. As early as freshman year, USF students have the chance to work with faculty who are leading the way in medicine, environmental science, engineering, data science, and the arts.
What Are Colleges Inside a University?
Most universities have something called “colleges” inside them. These are different from the colleges we just talked about! They’re not separate institutions. Instead, think of colleges in universities as the homes for different fields of study. They gather faculty, staff, and resources under one academic roof—like the College of Engineering or the College of Education.
Some colleges require special prerequisites to enter. Your guidance counselor and admission officers can make sure you meet these course requirements.
What Are Colleges and Universities with a Special Focus?
Let’s look at some special types of colleges and universities you might encounter. This list isn’t exhaustive. If there’s a particular higher-ed experience you’re looking for, your guidance counselor can help you find it.
Religiously Affiliated Colleges and Universities
Your experience at a religiously affiliated school will vary, depending on where you go. Some of these schools were historically founded in a certain faith, but now operate just like a secular school. Others require a code of conduct, religion courses, and/or chapel attendance. As with any school, do your research and talk to current students so you know what to expect.
Art Colleges and Universities
Not to be confused with liberal arts schools, which deliver degrees in the arts and sciences, some institutions focus solely on the arts. These schools typically offer associate or bachelor’s degrees that integrate training in fine arts like sculpture, fashion, theater, or music.
What distinguishes art schools from art programs nestled within a larger institution is that the entire school is focused on preparing student-artists for life and work. They often feature special, state-of-the art facilities, professors who are artists themselves, and networking opportunities. “Mentoring relationships can help students discover their weaknesses, enhance their strengths, and learn how to market their skills. Because art can often be a very difficult career path, it can be invaluable to receive advice from people who have been successful,” explains this CollegeRaptor blog post.
Specially Designated Colleges and Universities
Some schools were historically founded to educate people excluded from college, like women and Black students. Today, students of any race can attend a Historically Black College and University (HBCU), which remain empowering educational spaces.
“There are countless studies that show that HBCUs are just giants for upward mobility and giants for social mobility and connections and post-secondary job application,” says Nettingham.
Vocational Schools
Vocational schools teach you practical skills for a specific occupation, such as cosmetology, carpentry, auto mechanics, and plumbing.
Because training is specialized, be sure you want to work in your chosen field before attending a vocational school. You won’t be able to apply your training to a broad range of jobs, as you would with a more general associate or bachelor’s degree.
How Do You Decide Between Colleges and Universities?
The distinction between colleges and universities doesn’t matter as much as the difference between individual schools.
Students should “put less emphasis on college vs. university and instead refocus on programmatic offerings, campus life, costs, scholarships, outcomes, research spending and connection with current students,” suggests this U.S. News & World Report article.
Nettingham agrees. “All institutions are just that: institutions,” he says. “Make sure that the curriculum and the program base is what you're looking for, as well as … that extra facet of student life.”
Here are a few factors to consider in your college search.
Academics and Majors
This section boils down to a simple question: Can the school take you where you want to go?
Maybe you dream of a job in cosmetology, and a trade school can get you there. Or maybe you want to earn an accelerated, five-year master’s degree, making a university your best fit. Pinpointing your career goals can help you choose the kind of school you want.
If you’re not sure what you want to major in yet, choosing a school with many undergrad degrees and exploratory program pathways can keep your options open.
Special Academic Programs
When you think of college, what are you daydreaming of? Participating in a dynamic Honors College? Embarking on exciting research opportunities in Antarctica? Studying art history in Mexico City?
Each institution is going to offer something a little different. Talk to your guidance counselor, recruiters, and admissions officers about programs and opportunities that matter to you.
Support Systems
Most schools provide some level of mental health support, tutoring and learning resources, and disability accommodations. But you should find out exactly what these look like at each institution, and whether they match your needs.
Because USF is a large public institution, for example, we have a wealth of resources: academic advisors, advocates, mental health counselors, nutritionists, physicians, peer health educators, career counselors, campus life leaders, and much more.
Campus Life
Think of your ideal college experience. Do you want to play Division I sports or cheer on a champion basketball team? Is your dream to raise guide dog puppies in your dorm? Is an annual cardboard boat race your speed? Every school has their own personality, event and organization offerings, and level of engagement.
“Touring a college campus is really the best way to get a sense of whether or not you can see yourself at that campus,” says Freddie O'Brion, coordinator for campus visitation at USF, in this post on campus visits. Nothing beats stepping onto a campus, talking to students and staff, and soaking up vibes.
Affordability
Dig into each institution’s cost of attendance and financial aid, and don’t forget to explore work study and scholarship opportunities.
While it’s true that most private schools are going to be more expensive than public ones, don’t rule them out just yet. Once you apply, you might get a surprising amount of financial aid.
On the other hand, be wary of going into debt for a college degree. With a little research, you can find all the perks of a private college at the right public university.
Because we know the world of scholarships can be confusing, we’ve got you covered with this blog post on financial assistance.
Size
Would you thrive at a large, bustling campus with 50,000 students, or would you feel happier at a small campus where everyone knows your name?
“Larger schools will offer more access to more student organizations and more people to meet, while a smaller school gives you more of a community feeling,” explains USF writer Rachel Swearingen in this post on college fit.
Although colleges are typically smaller than universities, there’s always exceptions. Some schools even offer multiple campus options, each with their own personalities. For example, at USF, you’ll find a Goldilocks-worthy spread: the large, metropolitan Tampa campus, the midsize, waterfront St. Petersburg campus, and the small, tight-knit Sarasota-Manatee campus.
Location
If you plan to spend four years at a school, make sure you’ll be happy living there.
What appeals to you? Close to home or out of state? Rural or urban? Mountains or beach? (We can’t help but brag about USF’s Tampa Bay location—we even made a website devoted to exploring our sunny region!)
Career options can vary depending on location, too. Investigate the school’s connections to the region’s top workplaces, internship opportunities, and post-grad job prospects.
Does the Difference Between Colleges and Universities Matter?
When it comes to higher education, “there is no bad choice,” Nettingham tells students. Don’t worry about whether the school you attend is the most prestigious or the one your family wants. Studies show gaining any form of higher education can boost your career potential, no matter where you go.
“Education itself is multifaceted,” Nettingham says. “The goal is getting the education.”
How you get that education is up to you. “Know that you are doing what's right for you, and then progress how you see fit, because it's your journey at the end of the day,” Nettingham says.
If your journey leads you to USF, we’re here for you. Email admissions@usf.edu or call 813-974-3350. Good luck!
