11 types of colleges and universities in the USA. By Ross Jennings

There are approximately 2,500 universities in the USA.  Of these, about 650 are public institutions, and 1,850 are private. There are also approximately 1,200 community and technical colleges in the US.  So many choices!

Many international students focus on ranking in making a choice of college or university.  Ranking is important, so it certainly is a factor.  In relying on rankings, however, students miss many other factors which might be even more important.  The following lists major types of colleges and universities in the US, and gives an idea about the advantages and disadvantages of each.

1.  Elite private universities (“Ivy League”)

These are the top names everyone knows about.  They are very difficult to get into, especially as an undergraduate.  The brightest of the bright go there.  They are very expensive, but worth the cost for most people. 

Examples Harvard, Yale, Stanford, Princeton, MIT, Pennsylvania

Tuition $35,000 - $40,000.  Scholarships often available.

Students 15,000 - 20,000

Advantages World famous, the best of the best, bright students and faculty, job advantages, small class size, proud parents

Disadvantages Expensive, high pressure to perform academically and fit in socially, very selective admission

2.  Near-elite private universities

These private universities are also highly ranked and internationally recognized.  They are like the “elites”, just not quite as highly ranked. 

Examples Brown, Rice, Emory, Duke, Cornell

Tuition $35,000 - $40,000.  Scholarships are sometimes available.

Students 5,000 to 20,000

Advantages Great schools, highly ranked, excellent students and faculty, small class size

Disadvantages Expensive, much social and academic competition, very selective admission

3.  Great private universities

These schools are comparable to elite public universities in ranking.  Some are small and not too well known outside the US; others are very large and have a great international reputation.

Examples USC, NYU, Boston College, Wake Forest, Vanderbilt

Tuition $35,000 - $40,000

Students 10,000 - 40,000

Advantages Excellent schools, some have great international alumni networks (USC, NYU)

Disadvantages Not quite Harvard or Columbia, can be a bit snobby, expensive, class size varies from big (USC, NYU) to small (Boston College)

4.  Elite public universities

The top public universities are great schools, and also big.  The best of them have world class research and great facilities, but also large class sizes, particularly in lower division undergraduate sections.

Examples UC Berkeley, Michigan, UCLA, Virginia, Georgia Tech

Tuition $30,000 - $35,000

Students 40,000 - 50,000

Advantages Great reputation, wide social variety, excellent research opportunities, a little less expensive than privates

Disadvantages Large classes, somewhat impersonal, teachers sometimes more interested in research than teaching

5.  Great public universities

These excellent schools are ranked slightly lower than the elite publics, but are well respected and offer similar experiences.  They are great education factories.

Examples Washington, Ohio State, Wisconsin, Florida, Texas, Rutgers

Tuition $25,000

Students 40,000 - 50,000

Advantages Good rankings, less expensive than elite publics or privates

Disadvantages Not quite Berkeley, large classes, can sometimes be a bit impersonal

6.  Liberal arts colleges

These are high quality traditional colleges which emphasize personal development and a broad range of subjects more than narrow specialties, although many of them have top engineering, business or professional schools.  Students at these schools usually form close friendships with students and teachers.  Some are women-only colleges (W).

Examples Williams,  Amherst, Swarthmore (W), Wellesley (W), Trinity

Tuition $40,000

Students 4,000 - 8,000

Advantages Great environments to learn about yourself, others and the universe, very supportive, students build strong relationships

Disadvantages College names not well known outside the US, expensive

7.  Catholic universities

Catholic schools are often run by Jesuits, a teaching order of priests with a noble mission of personal and spiritual development.  Non-Catholics are most welcome.  Most Catholic universities have excellent professional schools in law, engineering, business, nursing and/or other fields.  There is much personal attention.

Examples Notre Dame, Georgetown, Seattle, Gonzaga, USF, Santa Clara

Tuition $25,000 - $40,000

Students 5,000 - 20,000

Advantages Great professional and personal development opportunities,  much emphasis on positive traditional values

Disadvantages Somewhat expensive, not all are well known 

8.  Solid public universities

These are solid public universities that may have excellent professional schools in majors such as engineering, nursing or computer science.  Generally they are relatively easy to get into, and accordingly cater to students of varied abilities. 

Examples San Francisco State, Washington State, SUNY Buffalo, Oklahoma

Tuition $15,000 - $25,000

Students 20,000 -  40,000

Advantages Admission is relatively easy, tuition is reasonable, and good students can usually find excellent educational opportunities

Disadvantages Overall quality of students mixed, rating not high, little prestige

9.  Smaller private colleges

These schools vary a great deal in quality, cost and importance of religion.  Some of them offer great experiences, possibly equal to top liberal arts colleges.  Others are not as good.  Some of these schools have a very strong religious element, and some do not.  It is good to talk to students at these schools before committing to them.

Examples Pacific Lutheran, Pepperdine, Iona, Whitman, St. Johns, Whittier

Tuition $25,000 - $35,000

Students 1,000 - 8,000

Advantages Students may get a great educational and personal experience, admission easier, classes smaller, scholarship sometimes available

Disadvantages No international reputation, tuition not cheap, quality can vary a lot

10.  Specialty universities

These schools cater to particular skills, typically design or art, hospitality, fashion or technology.  Students may receive very practical, industry-based training.  Meaningful internships are often required, for which international students can sometimes be paid.  These schools often have good job placement services.

Examples Pratt Institute (design/art), Embry Riddle (aviation), Johnson & Wales (hospitality), Fashion Institute of Technology (fashion)

Tuition $25,000 - $35,000

Students 500 - 10,000

Advantages Strong job-related training, good internships (often paid), good job placement (although primarily for American citizens)

Disadvantages Schools may not be well known abroad, little ability to change major

11.  Community colleges

Almost half of all undergraduate (first four years) students in the US study at a community college.  There are three very good reasons for this: 1) better chance to get into a top university as a “2+2” transfer student, 2) lower cost, and 3) easier admission.  “2+2” means 2 years at a community college and 2 years at a university.

Examples Green River Community College (WA), Citrus College (LA)

Tuition $6,000 - $9,500

Students 5,000 - 20,000

Advantages “2+2” transfer to top US universities, lower cost, easier admission

Disadvantages Must transfer after two years, not as well known abroad

Questions and answers.

Q: I want to get into a “name” university, but I don’t qualify now.  What can I do?

A: Start at a community college and then transfer to the university.  It’s easier to get into a good university as a third year transfer student than as a first year student out of high school.  Admission to a community college is easy, and so is university transfer (although top universities are indeed competitive).  In the US, almost half of all university graduates start at a community college. 

Q: How can I use rankings?

A: Rankings give you a place to start in looking for universities.  Rankings measure different things, however.  According to US News, UC Berkeley is #21 in the US among national universities.  According to Shanghai Jiaotong University, however, UC Berkeley is #3 in the world.  US News also ranks programs like engineering and business.  Look at all the rankings, but don’t use rankings alone to decide.

Q: I really want to transfer to Harvard.  My parents want it too.

A: Who doesn’t?  Only 1 out of 1,500 undergraduate students in the US is admitted to Harvard, however.  Are you really that good?  How is your English?  Aim high, but be realistic about your abilities and background.  Know, also, that it’s usually easier to get into a top university in graduate school than it is as an undergraduate. 

Q: There are so many universities in the US!  How can I choose the right one for me?

A:  Don’t worry.  There are many universities that would work very well for you.  So get busy and look!  Talk to your friends, check the websites, contact school officials and students, and visit schools if you can.  You can’t check them all, so don’t try.  Just get started.  Trust your feelings.  Usually the school that “feels” right is right.

Q: What kind of university will best help me get a job back home?

A: Good question.  School names matter, but less so than most people think.  Employers are not really looking for smart people, they are looking for people who can do things.  Wherever you go, study hard, but also meet people, join clubs, get internships, use your English, network, make presentations, learn computer apps, get a school job and be active outside of class.  Then you’ll learn the skills employers are looking for.

Q: My English is not that great. How can I improve it?

A: Keep learning!  Most international students get to a point where their English is good enough to get by, and then they stop learning more.  Many also live and socialize with their own country people, and speak their own language most of the time when not in the classroom.  If you do that, you will never improve your English very much.  

Q: I’m not rich.  How can I afford to study in the US?

A:  Studying in the US isn’t cheap, that’s for sure. The best way to save money is to follow a “2+2” community college transfer program.  Tuition at a community college is only one third to one quarter the cost of university tuition.  Two years at a community college plus two years at a university is much cheaper than four years at a university, and you get exactly the same bachelor’s degree.  

Ross Jennings is Vice President of International Programs at Green River Community College, Auburn, WA, USA