Choosing between a public college or a private college can be one of the biggest decisions a high school student faces. About 74% of college students attend four-year universities. Of those students, 73% attend public schools and 27% attend private schools.
But there are many differences between public and private colleges, and those factors can make or break your decision. In this guide, we'll delve into the key differences, considerations, and factors to weigh when deciding between attending a public or private college, ensuring you make an informed decision tailored to your needs and aspirations.
What is a public vs. private college?
American public colleges and universities are primarily funded by state and local governments and offer a wide variety of undergraduate and graduate programs. Due to government subsidies, they often provide more affordable tuition rates, especially for in-state students.
In contrast, private colleges and universities operate without direct state funding and are typically funded through tuition, donations, and endowments from individuals and organizations. While many are known for their academic excellence and resources, it's important to note that the quality and reputation can vary widely among private institutions.
Some private colleges and universities are nonprofit, and while they can be more expensive than public institutions, a significant number offer robust financial aid packages to assist students with costs.
Public vs. private college considerations
There are many considerations when choosing a private or public college, including tuition cost, class sizes, academic offerings, and more. Here are some things to keep in mind when making your choice.
Tuition and financial aid
One of the main differences is that public institutions typically have a lower cost of tuition for in-state students. According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), public tuition costs about $9,700 a year for a four-year program, while private nonprofit schools cost about $38,800 per year, and private for-profit schools cost about $17,800.
If you're an out-of-state student, the cost of attendance will typically be higher than it would be at an in-state school. However, many schools offer financial aid packages and student loan options. Even notable private institutions like Harvard University, Yale University, and Princeton University offer financial aid.
Your costs will also vary depending on where you live. Students can typically live on-campus, off-campus with family, or off-campus but not with family. The average total cost for first-time, full-time undergraduate students living on-campus for a four-year institution is highest at a private nonprofit school ($55,800), followed by private for-profit schools ($32,900) and public schools ($26,000).
Enrollment and class sizes
One of the most obvious differences between schools is class size. Public universities like the University of California-Berkeley (30,799 undergraduate students) and the University of Michigan (31,329 undergraduate students) have a larger student body, which usually means larger class sizes. Large classes can mean less personal interactions between students and professors, and you may not get the classes of your choice.
Private institutions typically have a smaller student body and smaller class sizes, which offers a more personalized learning environment and more interaction with professors. Fewer students may also make it easier to form study groups and friend groups in your classes.
In 2018, the average full-time student to full-time faculty ratio was 22-to-1 for private for-profit schools and 10-to-1 for private nonprofit schools. Public four-year institutions have an average ratio of 14-to-1.
Academic offerings and opportunities
State universities offer a ton of options for degree programs. The larger the school, the more programs are typically available. You may even be able to find graduate-level programs attached to large universities, so you can do programs like pre-med and pre-law in the same place as medical school or law school.
Smaller liberal arts colleges, which focus on liberal arts, sciences, humanities, and related fields, will offer specialized programs. Private universities will also usually have more specialized programs.
If you're serious about conducting your own research or participating in research projects, then you may choose a school based on the research opportunities available. Both public and private universities can offer significant research opportunities. The top ten schools ranked by research and development spending from the National Science Foundation are a mix of both public and private universities.
School prominence and rankings are also something to consider when choosing a school. If you know what field you'd like to go into, like computer science or engineering, you can search for highly ranked programs in those fields.
Campus life and extracurriculars
What kind of atmosphere are you looking for from your college experience? There will be key differences in campus life, extracurricular activities, and athletics depending on which school you attend.
Private colleges with smaller intakes and class sizes will offer a different student community than a school with tens of thousands of students. A huge part of student life is participation in campus amenities. So consider if access to gyms, pools, recreation centers, or clubs is important to you. It's useful to visit each college for a campus tour to get a feel for what attending it would be like.
Student life is the heartbeat of your college experience. In addition to schooling, campus life can help grow your social skills, nurture your mental health, and teach you new activities. Consider where you might live - on-campus or off-campus - as well as safety, food options, distance from home, campus size, and Greek life. Each aspect will contribute to your overall college experience.
Graduation rates and future prospects
Make sure to check graduation rates for the public and private colleges you're considering. The overall six-year graduation rate in 2020 for full-time undergraduate students who began their degree in 2014 was 64%. The six-year graduation rate was 63% at public universities, 68% at private nonprofit universities, and 29% at private for-profit universities.
Completion rates can vary from school to school, but it's important to consider the implications of each number. Students who feel engaged and supported are more likely to stick around. A high retention rate suggests a college knows how to hold onto its students. A low retention rate suggests a student's needs aren't being met in some way, such as a lack of student resources, financial struggles, or academic difficulty.
High graduation rates often indicate graduates are well-prepared for their future careers, too. Top colleges often maintain graduation rates above 90%. Harvard, for example, has a six-year graduation rate of 98%, while Yale has a six-year graduation rate of 96%.
8 tips on deciding between a public vs. private college
Making a list of school offerings can help you narrow down your choice of public versus private colleges. Your list might include some of the following:
- Self-reflection. Do you thrive in large, diverse environments or smaller, close-knit settings? What learning environment works best for you?
- Budget considerations. What funds do you have access to for college? Is lower-cost, in-state tuition better for you? Consider benefits at public colleges versus potential financial aid packages at private schools.
- Visit campuses. If possible, visit the schools in-person that you're considering. This can help you make a decision, as visits provide a tangible feel for the college experience, campus life, and learning environment.
- Research opportunities. Look into the research opportunities, internship availability, and job placement opportunities at both types of schools. Hands-on experience or industry connections might be the deciding factor for you.
- Degree programs. What academic programs are offered by each school? If you have a specific major in mind, make sure it's offered and well-regarded at that school.
- Extracurricular activities. What will you be doing outside of classes? Whether it's athletics, arts, or other clubs, ensure your chosen school offers activities that align with your interests.
- Seek advice. Talk to current students, alumni, or college counselors for firsthand insights about what a school is actually like. These experiences can be invaluable when making your decision.
- Long-term goals. What would you like to be doing after college? If you're aiming for a specific career or graduate program, research which types of schools typically lead there.
Let College Rover help you decide your academic future
Deciding which college or university to attend is a big choice. With thousands of schools and programs to choose from, it's easy to get overwhelmed. Luckily, with College Rover, you can filter schools based on your preferences and narrow down that choice with data on schools, programs, and more. Get started today!
College Rover gets the majority of its data directly from the U.S. Department of Education (DOE). The DOE publishing schedule "lags" the most current data which some colleges post on their official websites. This may cause there to be a difference in the data you see on College Rover and an individual college website. College Rover's website is updated as the DOE data becomes available and is configured for the College Rover website.
