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- What types of schools are there?
- What are community, technical/vocational, and junior colleges?
- What are four-year colleges and universities?
- What is the difference between a public and a private school?
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What types of schools are there?
There are two basic types of schools you can attend after high school. These
are:
1. Community, technical/vocational, and junior colleges
2. Four-year colleges and universities
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What are community, technical/vocational, and junior colleges?
These schools generally offer programs that are less than four years in
length.
Community colleges are public, two-year schools. They offer academic,
technical, and continuing education courses. You may earn an associate
degree when you complete a two-year program at a community college. However,
depending on your area of study you may earn a certificate or diploma
instead. Most students are from the local community.
Technical/vocational schools generally focus on training in technical
fields. You usually earn a certificate or diploma when you complete a
program. Some of these schools offer academic courses, but you may not be
able to earn an associate degree there. Technical/vocational schools may be
private or public. Private technical/vocational schools are sometimes called
proprietary schools.
Junior colleges are private schools and usually offer programs that are two-
years or shorter. These schools offer a mix of academic and technical
courses. You usually earn an associate degree when you complete a two-year
program. Students at junior colleges may be from the local area or from
other parts of the country.
Some programs at two-year schools lead to an associate degree in an academic
area. These programs often are similar to the first two years of a general
academic program at a four-year college or university. You may be able to
transfer some or all of your credits to a four-year school. If you do this,
the credits count toward your bachelor's degree.
In general, two-year schools admit anyone who has a high school diploma or
GED. Some schools require students to be at least 18 years old.
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What are four-year colleges and universities?
These schools offer academic programs that are four or more years in length.
Four-year colleges provide training in the arts and sciences. When you
finish your program you receive a bachelor's degree.
Universities also provide training in the arts and sciences. In addition,
they offer graduate and professional studies (e.g., law, medicine).
Depending on the program you complete, you receive a bachelor's, graduate, or
professional degree.
Colleges and universities may be either public or private.
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What is the difference between a public and a private school?
Public colleges and universities receive state tax dollars while private
colleges and universities do not. Both types of schools receive additional
money from alumni or other groups who donate money.
In general, tuition and fees are higher at private schools. However, these
schools offer financial aid packages that can make them as affordable as
public schools. Thus you should not stop considering a school just because
of its tuition.
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