Types of Colleges and Universities

When you're deciding where to get your degree, there isn't a one-size-fits-all option. Everyone has different priorities, and you'll want to opt for a higher education institution that matches yours. Get to know the types of colleges and universities you have to choose from in the United States, and consider which will be the best fit for you.

First: What’s the Difference Between a College and a University?

Both are schools of higher education, but colleges and universities differ in size, types of degrees offered and levels of degrees offered.

"Typically, a college refers to an institution of higher education beyond high school," said Michael Wilhelm, an undergraduate admission counselor at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU).

A university tends to be larger, offering a range of both bachelor's degrees and advanced degrees, according to Wilhelm, whereas colleges are smaller with more limited degree offerings.

"Is participating in research a consideration or important? Then a university might be the best choice," he said. "However, colleges tend to be smaller than universities, and this might be important and swing the decision the other way."

Consider what factors matter most to you as you weigh the options.

What Types of Universities Are There?

There are two major categories of universities, according to Wilhelm and Sullivan. They include:

• Public Universities: "Public universities have some form of connection with the state, and trustees and presidents may have been selected by the governor of the state," Wilhelm said.
• Private Universities: Private universities don't have the same government connections. "Private colleges and universities are primarily funded through tuition, donations and private funding," said Sullivan.

Private universities can then be broken down into further categories, noted Zambrano. Those categories are:

• For-profit: For-profit universities operate as businesses, said Zambrano. "They are privately owned and earn revenue from tuition," he said.
• Nonprofit: In contrast, tuition at a nonprofit university supports the school itself. "Nonprofit schools reinvest their revenue back into the school to support programs and services for students, rather than distributing profits to shareholders," Sullivan said.

SNHU, for instance, is a nonprofit university.

What Types of Colleges Are There?

In addition to being smaller than universities, colleges are often more specialized, Zambrano said.

Types of colleges include:

• Community Colleges: The U.S. Department of State reports that community colleges offer 2-year degrees along with technical and vocational programs.
• Liberal Arts Colleges: Liberal arts colleges are typically small colleges that focus on the core humanities and science programs, Wilhelm noted.
• Vocational Colleges: "Vocational colleges may offer undergraduate degrees or specific certifications," Wilhelm said. "They also tend to not offer several services or programming options that may be available at other institutions."

You may also find other types of colleges, too, according to Wilhelm and Zambrano, such as historically Black colleges or women's colleges.

What's the Difference Between a 2-Year College and a 4-Year College?

You may have also heard of 2-year colleges and 4-year colleges. These terms tend to refer to different types of degrees offered at an institution.

"The simplest way to put it is that a 2-year degree typically gets you an associate and a 4-year gets you a bachelor's," Zambrano said. "The more important question, beyond labels, is what are you trying to do with it?"

If you're hoping to get into the workforce quickly, it may make sense to start with a 2-year degree, according to Wilhelm. "For a position that is more managerial or professional, the 4-year degree may be the better option," he said.

Keep reading: What Are the 4 Types of College Degrees?

What’s the Best Choice for You?

Now that you know about the different types of colleges and universities, it's time to start looking into individual schools. It might be helpful to connect with graduates as a part of your research process.

"If you know any alumni at a college you are considering, I suggest talking to them," Wilhelm said. "I would ask them about the admissions process, how easy it is to apply for financial aid and how transparent the procedures are when there is a problem."

Choosing a college with the right culture and support services will be important, too, according to Sullivan.

"Feeling supported and celebrated can help you build confidence as you work toward achieving your goals," Sullivan said. "Ultimately, the right college is one where you can see yourself succeeding."

Mars Girolimon '21 '23G is a staff writer at Southern New Hampshire University where they earned their bachelor’s and master’s, both in English and creative writing. In addition to their work in higher education, Girolimon’s short fiction is published in the North American Review, So It Goes by The Kurt Vonnegut Museum & Library, X-R-A-Y and more. Connect with them on LinkedIn.