The Best Types of Colleges for You
The first step in selecting a college is to know what you’re looking for. Here’s a brief overview of the different types of schools that are available to you. Take a look and see what one best fits you.
Colleges
Colleges offer four-year Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Science (BS) degrees. Some also offer a two-year Associate of Arts (AA) degree. Colleges can be specialized (for example, in nursing) or they can offer a broad curriculum, like the liberal arts which focus on the humanities, social sciences, and sciences. Professors see teaching as their primary responsibility. And classes tend to be smaller than those in universities. This provides students with more personal attention and better access to the faculty.
Universities
Universities can be quite large and usually include a liberal arts college, some professional colleges, and graduate programs. This means they can offer the two-year and four-year degrees as well as graduate degrees in advanced studies beyond four years. Universities offer a huge course selection and may have extensive resources. Class size varies, depending on the size of the university, the subject area, and the course level. University professors are usually involved in research. Graduate students, rather than professors, teach some of the classes. (These graduate students are called Teaching Assistants or TAs.)
Community Colleges
Community or junior colleges offer two-year liberal arts programs or specific career training programs. After completing their studies, students receive a certificate or an associate degree.
Vocational, technical, professional, and trade schools
These institutions are for students who know exactly what they want to do and have chosen certain specialized occupations. Study programs at these schools prepare students for specific careers and may last weeks, months, or years, depending on career requirements. At these schools, students usually receive a license, a certificate, or an associate degree.
Typically, four-year colleges and universities are more costly because students attend for a longer period of time. One way to offset these costs might be to begin your studies at a smaller community college and then transfer to a four-year college or university to continue your education.
The most important decision for your college selection is the type of school that best fits you. Need help finding specific schools or colleges? We can help – just give us a call at myfootpath!
Related Articles:
Financial Considerations in College Selection
Non-Financial Considerations in College Selection
Degree Types and What they Mean
