With 23,626 different colleges across the world, a final decision on where to attend can seem intimidating for many students. Factors such as cost, location, accessibility and more can make it extremely frustrating.
So how should students narrow down options? We believe that the different types of colleges may hold answers. There are many types of colleges, but for this article we will focus on four specifically: public, private, community and HBCUs. Overlaps in the types will be addressed as well as the pros and cons of each one.
Public
Public colleges have many benefits. For starters, they tend to be cost-effective due to government funding, having lower tuition rates in general. Curriculums are varied, giving students copious options for classes and degrees. Socialization is ever prevalent due to massive attendance rates. Public colleges have tons of resources and tend to be well-staffed and well-funded. They also tend to be rich in diversity in terms of student body. Research opportunities are prominent.
Some cons of public colleges include competitive class access, more generalized and less focused curriculums, and lack of flexibility. Public colleges can also vary in quality depending on location, amount of financial support from government/donors/etc, and staff. The vastness of options might also be intimidating for students who struggle with scope and need less choices.
Private
Private colleges are geared towards students who desire a more focused and exclusive education. They typically have more catering curriculums and can give one-on-one attention to students. Professors at private institutions tend to be better-vetted and well-versed, making them well-prepared for the nuanced environment. Class sizes are much smaller, which is a great option for students who have anxiety about larger-sized ones.
However, private colleges cost much more than public colleges, often charging seemingly outrageous tuition rates. This bars lower-income students from considering them as viable options unless they are willing to rack up substantial debt while attending. Private colleges also have limited diversity in comparison to public ones. They are extremely competitive, shown by low retention and graduation rates. They typically are not sound options for lower-income students, making them largely available for more middle or upper-class families or individuals. Research opportunities are also lacking.
Community College
Community college is an excellent option for students for various reasons. These publicly funded institutions typically only offer associate programs but tend to be exponentially cheaper than 4-year institutions. Additionally, class credits can transfer over to universities or private colleges, giving students a chance to begin their undergrad journey somewhere and still transfer to their dream college later. These colleges' campuses and attendance rates tend to be tinier, creating a more close-knit community and environment. Yet there are still a plethora of clubs, organizations and events to attend. They often provide similar resources to other institutions as well, albeit on a much smaller scale.
A few cons include limited program options, fleeting class availability, and less networking opportunities. As mentioned, these colleges also only offer vocational and associate programs, which may be frustrating to students who want to get their bachelors, masters, or doctorate right out of the gate. Sometimes credits earned at these institutions also are not accepted by certain colleges or universities, putting students at risk of having to retake classes and increasing the cost of their journey. Finally, many community colleges are understaffed, causing issues with consistent guidance and resources.
Historically Black Colleges or Universities (HBCUs)
While HBCUs can be public or private establishments, I felt including them on this list was vital, especially considering STEM From’s commitment to advocating for diversity. HBCUs have many pros, mostly centered in their culturally rich and empowering environments. HBCUs boast a long history of academic excellence and achievements from their students. Class sizes are usually smaller, allotting students more personalized experiences and hands-on learning. HBCUs are committed to all facets of social justice, no doubt due to their origins and their hands in creating strong activists and leaders. Cost is aided by an abundance of generous financial aid and scholarships. Networking opportunities at these institutions are ripe as well, as HBCUs bear many ties to government, industry, non-profit organizations and more. Alumni presence on campus allows students easy access to fantastic role models. Last, but not least, HBCUs bear diverse student bodies, drawing in hundreds of people from varying backgrounds, ethnicities, races, sexualities and more.
While HBCUs have an impressive number of benefits, their main issues lie in lack of funding and resources. They often receive significantly less funding than White-dominated colleges, causing a lack of resources, understaffed facilities, and limited accreditation opportunities. HBCUs statistically also suffer lower retention and graduation rates. HBCUs are also only located in Southern and Northern parts of the U.S, severely lacking or nonexistent out west.
Did you enjoy this article? Let us know in the comments if you find this information useful! Stay tuned for more Navigating College posts here at STEM From!
Comments