How to Choose a College/University
Weighing the Merits of Private and Public Colleges and Universities
May 22, 2008
People thinking about attending college might be left with a dilemma: public or private? Here are some simple things to consider when making the choice.
Here are some of the benefits of attending a private college or university:
Private Colleges Have a Unique Mission
For some students it’s a matter of finding a college or university that really speaks to their unique interests.
Students wishing to grow and nurture their religious faith certainly have no shortage of places in the United States. Devout Catholics can look to such places such as Georgetown, Notre Dame, Boston College and Holy Cross among many others better known among their own regions. Devout Baptists can look to such institutions as Baylor University and Bethel College, Lutherans have St. Olaf College among others, Methodists can look to Southern Methodist University, and Evangelicals have Wheaton College in Illinois and others.
Other students might want to participate in an institution’s unique heritage, something not always found at a public college or university. Historically-black colleges are one example, with students vying for acceptance into such places as Howard University and Spelman and Morehouse Colleges.
Reputation of the Private School
For other students it’s a matter of finding a top-tier institution. The U.S. News and World Report’s (controversial) annual ranking of colleges and universities highlights the competitive strength of some private institutions. Harvard, Yale and Princeton lead the list of top national institutions; places such as Williams, Amherst, Swarthmore and Carleton College dominate the list of top four-year colleges. Probably the funniest observation comes from humorist P.J. O’Rourke in his book Modern Manners: "...it's so impressive to say, 'I flunked out of Harvard.' But if you say, 'I got straight A's at Wayne State,' who cares?" (p. 204)
Financial Aid
While private institutions come with a hefty price tag, they have ways to soften the blow. Especially for top-quality students, institutions will work to design assistance such as in scholarships or grants (or both). In a more recent trend, top schools such as Harvard, Stanford and Yale now offer substantial financial aid assistance to students from families with incomes below $100,000, leading to pressure upon competitors to do the same.
Here are some benefits of attending a public college or university:
Lower Cost of Public Universities
Anyone researching the price of college will probably be struck by the ‘sticker shock’ of private colleges and universities, which might charge from twenty to forty-five thousand dollars per year in tuition, fees and room and board. Some places have chosen deliberately to raise tuition in order to attract applicants. Not every family or student can afford this, and not everyone is accepted to such places as Harvard or Yale. Public colleges and universities can offer a much more affordable way to what is most important for many—earning a college degree.
Public Colleges Provide Good-Quality Education
For many students it’s a matter of receiving a great-quality education without the same financial burden or potential elitism. Astute students can discover the real quality of such top public universities as Michigan, Virginia, California-Berkeley, UCLA, North Carolina, Wisconsin, Georgia and Minnesota, all of which offer a great-quality education comparable to many private universities. While private institutions have often sought to cushion the financial blow through financial assistance, it’s not always helpful.
Unique College Programs
Some majors are the backbone of virtually every college or university, such as English or physics. However, other majors are a bit more scarce such as journalism and thus it makes sense to ‘go where the majors are.’
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