Public vs. Private Colleges: Which is Better?

When applying for colleges, you’ll notice that there are generally two kinds: public and private institutions. To make an informed decision, we highly recommend you know the differences. 

What is the Main Difference Between Public and Private Colleges?

The main difference between public and private colleges is funding: government subsidies fund public colleges and student tuition, private donations, and endowments fund private colleges. Given this, the cost of attendance for private colleges tends to be higher and this in turn, leads to smaller class sizes, extracurricular activities and student diversity. 

Financial Aid: Public & Private Colleges 

Both private and public colleges offer Federal Student Aid to decrease college expenses and private colleges in particular, are known to offer a significant financial aid packet for qualifying undergraduates. If you are planning on accepting a financial aid packet just be sure to maintain your qualifications even after getting accepted, else you may jeopardize your financial aid. 

Student Demographics

Given the more affordable price tags of public universities, public institutions tend to have a more diverse student body. Further, in-state students are given priority during admission so in-state students tend to favor public colleges. 

Private universities tend to have a more geographically diverse range of students with many international students who are attracted to the prestige and standardized admission process of private universities. 

Class Size

Most public colleges hold substantially sized lectures with hundreds of people filling up an auditorium.On the other hand, private colleges have more intimate class sizes where it’s easier for students to build relationships with their professors and peers. That’s not to say that you cannot build relationships with your professors at public universities, but that you will have to put more effort into doing so. 

Degree Offerings 

Public universities, which boast a wider student body, tend to have a diverse range of academic programs and resources as compared to private universities. However, private colleges tend to offer fewer programs but with a more specific specialty. In this way, public universities are better for students who are unsure of what they want to study or who want to have a broader approach to learning whereas private universities are better equipped for students who want to study from a college that is renowned for its contributions to specific fields. 

Prestige

For those that are seeking prestige, private schools, especially Ivy League schools, are at the top of their lists. In general private colleges tend to attract more renowned professors and field experts. Some public schools are just as highly regarded, especially the Public Ivys (like Penn State, University of California Los Angeles, and University of Michigan to name a few). 

Campus Life

Similarly to degree offerings, public universities tend to have a wider range of student organizations and extracurricular activities compared to smaller private institutions. For students that are interested in continuing their sports careers in college, most Division 1 sports teams come from public schools. Private schools are represented in D1 colleges as well, but tend to have fewer representation. As for surrounding campus activities, the school’s location largely determines restaurants, recreational activities, and more. 

 Alumni Outcomes

The connections people make in college often lead them to future opportunities and with a college degree being a pricey investment, students are hyper focused on finding the best fit college. Statistically speaking, alumni of private non-profit colleges have slightly higher financial returns than students from public universities. Regardless, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that high degrees correlate with higher earnings. 

Key Takeaways

• Public and private colleges differ in multiple ways and depending on what you want to get out of the college experience, prioritize the following: financial aid, student demographics, class size, degree offerings, prestige, campus life, and alumni outcomes.
• We encourage you to explore your options as each college, public and private, has its strengths that are best suited for your wants.