Public vs Private College – Which Is Right For You?
When it comes to choosing your college, there’s a lot to think about. From deciding where you want to live to what kind of campus experience you want—and that’s without thinking about what you actually want to study.
When it comes to public vs private colleges, the glaringly obvious difference that comes to mind is the cost. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, there was a 75% difference between the average four-year private college tuition, fees, room and board, and the public college equivalent in 2022-2023. And college tuition is only getting more expensive.
But putting aside the gigantic dollar bill-shaped elephant in the room, there are other things to consider when deciding where to go to college. This guide will compare the main differences between public and private colleges and the pros and cons to help you decide which is right for you.
In this article:
- What are the different types of colleges?
- What is a public university?
- What are private colleges?
- What are the main differences between public and private colleges?
- FAQs about public vs private college
- Private vs public college – which is right for you?
What are the different types of colleges?
The two primary different types of colleges you’ll come across are public colleges or universities and private colleges or universities. How they’re funded is one of the main differences between them.
What is a public university?
Public colleges or universities are higher education institutions funded by state governments that work on a nonprofit basis. You’ll normally find that they are much larger than private colleges, as they need a lot more students to make it economically worthwhile. Fees are often lower, and if you live in the same state, you’ll often find extra college grants for tuition.
Generally speaking, public universities also have more opportunities for research. So if you’re interested in taking advantage of research facilities, then public colleges are your best bet.
Some examples of public universities are the University of Michigan, UCLA, and The Ohio State University.
Advantages of public universities
- Lower tuition fees than private colleges
- More diversity and multiculturalism
- Better range of colleges for sports
- More subject options if you’re undecided
- Great research opportunities and facilities
Disadvantages of public universities
- Larger class sizes
- Less one-on-one professor-to-student time
- Less opportunities for building alumni relationships
- Less scholarship opportunities
What are private colleges?
Private colleges and universities are institutions that are primarily funded by student tuition, donations, and endowments from corporations, individuals, or foundations.
For this reason, the cost is usually much higher than public colleges, and the universities can be much smaller. But you’ll find the financial aid packages are usually better for private universities, too.
The majority of private colleges are for-profit, but some do operate as nonprofit, although these are a bit less common.
Some examples of private universities are Yale University, Caltech, and Dartmouth College.
Advantages of private colleges
- Smaller class sizes
- More personalized attention and feedback from professors
- Tight knit community
- Extensive financial aid packages
- Great alumni networks
- Building connections outside of college
Disadvantages of private colleges
- Higher costs than public colleges
- More competitive admissions
- Expensive to live on campus
- Less diversity
- Fewer options when it comes to choosing your major
What are the main differences between public and private colleges?
There are lots of differences between public and private colleges, so we’ve summarized a few below.
1. Tuition Fees
We’ve said it once and we’ll say it again because it’s likely the main reason why you’re weighing up public vs private colleges: tuition fees. Public universities are state-funded, so they can often afford to charge a lot less for students to attend, as the government makes up the majority of the fees instead. The average cost of a four-year course at a public college in 2022-23 with fees, and room and board included was $22,389.
But private universities and colleges don’t have this option, so the cost of tuition gets passed directly to the students. The average cost of attending a private university in 2022-23 for a four-year course with fees, and room and board included was $49,654, which is up 41% compared to 10 years ago.
So with the difference being so insane between private and public colleges, it’s no surprise that this is one of the main things we hone in on when comparing institutions.
2. Different types of degree programs
Another difference is the range of degree programs that you can get at public vs private colleges.
Public colleges are generally able to offer a wider range of degree programs than their private counterparts because they have a lot more students. For example, the University of Michigan offers over 280 degree programs to choose from. If you’re going to college undecided on your major, then you’ll have a wider selection to choose from. And if you need help deciding what major to choose, we’ve got a guide on the hardest and easiest college majors.
But if you’re really certain about what you want to major in, or have an idea of the career you want to pursue, then a private university could work for you since they usually have a much more specific scope of degree programs. For example, Harvard University offers just 50 undergraduate degree programs.
3. Diversity of universities
As you can imagine, with much higher tuition fees and more competitive stakes, private colleges can disproportionately attract wealthier students. With the Supreme Court effectively ending race-conscious college admissions, it’s not looking great for diversity.
As public institutions are so much larger, with lower cost of admissions and less competition, you’ll usually find a much wider diversity across the student body.
4. Class sizes
We’ve spoken a little about the difference in the size of public vs private colleges, and this has a direct effect on things like class sizes.
In private universities, class sizes tend to be smaller with much more interaction between professors and students. This leads to more opportunities for students to have tailored feedback from their professors and more engaging sessions.
In public or state universities, class sizes are often larger, especially with your general education credits. This means less one-on-one interaction between professors and students.
5. Campus size
Following on from the previous point, the difference in the campus size is one of the main differences too. Private colleges, due to their smaller intake and degree offerings, tend to be a tighter-knit community with smaller campus sizes and a bit quieter. So if you want to have a smaller scale college experience then private colleges could be for you.
Whereas public or state colleges often have larger campus sizes to accommodate the bigger student population, there tends to be more going on. Thinks bars, parties and social scenes, and even concert venues. The same is also true for sports. If you want to pursue sports at the college level, you’ll find more Division I state schools than private colleges.
6. Religious affiliation
Public universities are mostly secular, and as they’re state-funded, they don’t usually have any religious affiliations tied to the college. Whereas some private colleges are specifically tied into different religions, so depending on your religious beliefs, it could be something to think about when choosing colleges.
7. Alumni networks
It’s one thing to think about heading to college, but it’s another to think about being an alumni of that college.
Alumni networks are known for being a lot stronger in private colleges vs state or public universities. Smaller size alumni = tighter knit connections. And because of the way private schools are funded (through donations etc.), you might have a better chance of networking with high-profile business people in your alumni network.
8. Research opportunities
Public universities often have higher funding for research facilities and labs. So it’s worth thinking about how you want to take advantage of the resources available when you’re studying.
Apart from a few exceptions, private colleges can’t compare when it comes to the availability of research facilities. But if they do have access to research, because of how private colleges are funded, their resources are often kept up to date, and have more access to materials as they aren’t limited by public funding.
Frequently asked questions about public vs private colleges
We know it’s a lot to take in, so we’ve got the answers to the most asked questions about public vs private colleges to help you make your decision.
Are private colleges always more expensive than public universities?
“Not always” is the easiest answer here. The cheapest private university is still cheaper than the most expensive public university. A lot of the difference will come down to how much financial aid you can get for college.
This is where private colleges can have the edge, as they often have a wider range of scholarships and better financial aid packages that end up working out cheaper than public universities for students.
What should I think about when choosing a private vs public university?
It’s a really personal decision, and your own circumstances will have an impact on how you approach whether to go for a public university or a private one.
Make a list of the pros and cons and weigh up things like how good the colleges are for the subject you’ve chosen (hey psychology majors, we’ve got the list of the best colleges for psychology). Also, think about the affordability of the state, is it in-state or out-of-state? Will you be living on campus or at home?
Private vs public college—which is right for you?
We can’t make your decision for you, but hopefully we’ve made it easier to break it down! A few things to think about before you make the big step:
What kind of campus life do you want?
Do you want to have a buzzing social life meeting lots of new people from different backgrounds? Or would you rather have a smaller group of friends in a more community feel? Your gut instinct will tell you a lot about where you’d feel most comfortable. If you can visit a college open day before you apply, that would really help you get a feel of the different options.
How much can you afford to pay for college?
Let’s be real, the finances will probably dictate a lot of people’s decisions. Research from 2023 showed that 53% of students considered affordability as a key decision factor when choosing a college. With a 75% difference in cost between the average four year public vs private college course, it’s worth considering how your choice in college will affect your wallet. Not just for your tuition and room, but cost of living varies between states. You want to make sure you’ll be able to live comfortably if you’re moving to a different state for college.
Are you likely to get a strong financial aid package?
Private schools are known for being more expensive than public or state universities, but financial aid can make all the difference. Private universities can often get better financial aid packages than public schools, so understanding what you’d be entitled to at different institutions and weighing up the pros and cons with this in mind will help your decision.
Do you want to do sports in college?
College divisions exist for a reason, and if sports is your passion, then it could be worth your while to make sure you find a college with a good sports program. With the majority of Division I sports programs at public universities, take this into consideration depending on what type of sport you play and what’s on offer.
Does your college align with your career goals?
For the majority of students, college is a time for experiencing new things, expanding your knowledge, and breaking out on your own. But for people looking to continue on to grad school and go down a specific career path, you’ll want to make sure your college program will set you up for success.
Check out university rankings, head to open days, and even see if you can speak to former students to see how they’re doing after graduation. This way you’ll be able to see how much of an impact choosing a public vs private college made to their future.
Is the degree you’re interested in at a location you’d like to live in? And how much does it cost (not just tuition but all the costs associated with where your college is)? And look to see what kind of financial aid packages you can take advantage of, and for some of you, look at how your chosen college and course align with your career goals.
There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to public vs private colleges, as it’s such a personal decision to make. But answer some of the above questions and figure out what you’re looking for in your college degree. Then you’ll be well on your way to making the right choice for you.
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