Page 2 of 2
Private Colleges and Universities
Because private colleges and universities receive less/limited funding from the government, their tuition fees are generally a great deal higher than those of public schools. As a result of their privatization, these schools are able to set their own academic standards and go about their business in any way they like. There is very little outside input on the daily operations of these institutions. (Although they do have their own accreditation agencies.)
Liberal Arts Colleges
Liberal arts colleges are four-year colleges that place a premium on students obtaining a general base of knowledge in a variety of subjects. They're generally smaller schools that require students to take a core curriculum in science, English, mathematics, history, a foreign language and the creative arts in addition to their major courses. It's an ideal place for students who want a higher education but don't yet know what they want to do.
Community Colleges
Community Colleges are publicly funded 2-year institutions that are designed to offer everyone in the "community" - be it your town, city or county - with a chance to obtain a form of education beyond high school. The number of community colleges in your area generally depends on how populated your city or town is.
In all of North America, community colleges adhere to an "open admission" policy. Anyone who possesses a high school diploma or a GED may register for and take classes at a community college. Standardized test scores, letters of recommendation and extra-curricular activities have no bearing on your admission to community college. As a result, the demographic spectrum of students in community college classrooms tends to vary a great deal.
Community colleges offer a variety of opportunities for students looking to improve their education. They offer vocational certificates and function as trade schools, they award associate degrees (some states' community colleges even offer bachelor's degrees), and they give students a chance to improve their academic standing and receive valuable learning devices before transferring to a four-year institution.
Students who register for classes at community colleges can register as a full time student or a part time student. Full time students pay a flat fee: lower if you're in-state and higher if you're out-of-state. Part time students pay by the credit hour, and, again, the price fluctuates for those in-state and those out-of-state.
Junior Colleges
Like community colleges, junior colleges are two-year schools that offer high school graduates a chance to continue their education if they aren't quite ready to enter into a four-year college or university. The major difference between the two is that junior colleges tend to be more expensive than community colleges. Students who complete the two-year program can earn an associate's degree, or they can try to transfer their credits to a four-year school to earn a bachelor's degree.
Junior colleges are traditionally easier to get into, but they still adhere to an application process. Each school's is different. Unless you're transferring from another accredited university or college, expect to fill out an application and submit your high school transcript or GED scores.
Back to Page 1