Public Vs. Private Colleges

The perfect college for you is out there. Right now, there seems to be too many possibilities for the soon-to-be high school graduate. But, do not worry; all you need to do is narrow down your search. You may have no idea what you want to major in or what state you want to live in, but both will come with time. One of the first decisions you need to make is if you want to attend a public or private university. Both choices have pros and cons and it will be easier for you to decide knowing all your options. Once you have chosen which of these you desire, your final decision will more easily fall into place.

Pros for Public
The first benefit of attending a public university is the vast amount of opportunities and options for your major. Each large state school has countless degree programs that you can enroll in from Business to Art to Engineering. This enables you to fit your studies into exactly what you desire. Also, your elective courses will be very interesting with the vast amount of choices.

Multiple opportunities exist for the students of public universities. Larger campuses mean larger numbers of athletics and clubs. No matter what your niche is, you will be able to find an extra-curricular activity that will fit you and look good on your resume. Being involved in the athletic department is key if you are attending a largely advertised university. Recruiters for pro-sports teams are constantly watching and have the opportunity to see you perform at these large universities. You may not get this chance if you attend a small college with a thread of a football team.

The public university is also very affordable. Tuition costs are lower for the average student and because the schools are large, they can offer numerous scholarships. The location of these schools is also a financial benefit. For the most part, public universities are located in or near large cities. This gives the students the opportunity to live in apartments or off-campus housing that are less expensive than dorms, as well as find part-time jobs easier.

Pros for Private
Even though private universities are often small, they have many pros for choosing to attend them. These schools may not have a vast amount of choices for a student's major, but often times, the majors offered are unique and not available in public universities. These unique majors include schools that are based on religion. There in-depth studies are not available at public universities funded by the government.

Smaller, private schools also give students unique opportunities to get involved. Even though there may not be as many choices as a public school, students are personally encouraged to get involved and often acquire officer titles for clubs due to the smaller size. This deep involvement in extra-curricular activities looks amazing on their resumes.

Another benefit of the small size is that students are paid attention to more individually. Class sizes rarely exceed fifty people and can be as small as four students. Professors teach and grade papers without the help of teacher assistants. They are often more available to work one-on-one with students if they have a question on the material.

The final pro that I will list for private universities is that there are fewer distractions. This is due to more rules within the college. This can be a downfall, but more importantly, a benefit. Occasionally, students are not allowed to be involved in drinking, smoking, or even dancing. They are required to give up these distractions so that they can pour focus into their schoolwork.

Cons for Public
Despite the amazing opportunities offered at a public university, there are a few negative aspects of choosing to attend. First of all, the school offers large amounts of majors, but that means large amounts of students. Class sizes often average fifty to one hundred students with a lecture style setting. This large class size lacks the personable aspect of a private college. Professors may teach the class, but study groups and homework are organized and graded by teacher assistants. It is rare that you would have the opportunity to talk with the professor one-on-one if you have questions about the material.

Another downfall of the large amount of students is less individual attention by career planning offices or staff members. These offices may assist hundreds of students and so may not remember who you are and what type of job you are looking for. You are most often alone in decision-making.

The final con for these large universities is the common distraction of drinking, drugs, and crime. These three are prevalent in the many fraternities and sororities that exist. Students are overjoyed at the opportunity for life on their own and often take advantage of living away from their parents. Many nights are spent embracing these things and takes away precious time that could be spent studying or sleeping. Crime is also common on larger campuses. The larger campuses are often located in, or near, cities, and the constant flow of people and parties welcomes visitors who have no good intentions. Students must take more precautions while walking from building to building and should be sure to lock up all personal belongings.

Cons for Private
Of course there are downfalls for attending a private university. The most obvious is the expense; it is outrageous! Many private schools can be $25,000 per year or more. This amount is not counting the cost of books, living necessities, or other unexpected expenses. Unless a student comes from a very wealthy family, they will most likely have to take out college loans which they will be repaying for at least ten years after they graduate.

In opposition to the large variety of classes at public universities, private schools have a smaller selection. They often offer a lesser number of majors and do not give students many options for electives. These private schools may also not have as many resources available especially the universities based on religion who do not often receive extra funding.

The final con is that private schools have more rules and expectations of their students. This can be hard on students because even if they are adults, they are still not allowed to make their own decisions. This can cause them to rebel because they feel restricted.

The Decision is Yours
After reading about the advantages and disadvantages of both public and private universities, the decision is yours. Will you choose to go to a public school or a private school? Whichever you choose will impact the rest of your life.