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Public vs. Private College: How to Find the Right Fit

If you’re a high school upperclassman, college is most likely approaching faster than you expected. Like others, you’re probably trying to make that final push to prepare for college. If you’re exploring a traditional four-year education, it’s completely normal to feel overwhelmed by your options. One of the first decisions you may be grappling with is whether you want to attend a public vs. private college. This decision can come after you receive acceptance letters, but having all of the facts and distinctions ahead of time will help you make the best choice for your personal fulfillment and goals. 

In order to ensure you have all of the information needed to find the right fit between different types of schools, we’ve compiled a list of factors to consider during your decision process as you debate between public vs. private college.

Understand the basics

The fundamental difference between public vs. private college lies with how they’re funded; public schools are funded by the state government, while private schools stay afloat from student tuition, alumni donations, and endowments. 

There’s also a significant difference between private colleges that are non-profit versus for-profit. Most colleges are non-profit institutions, meaning that the money they make is put back into the school and its educational efforts. For-profit colleges are owned by private organizations or corporations, and use their profits and students’ tuition for marketing or paying stakeholders.

Consider all of the factors

Though there are many factors that go into the process of finding the right fit between public vs. private college, it’s important to consider everything from your planned field of study to the social scene. Making a pros and cons list or ranking each factor by importance can help narrow down your search. Let’s break down each of these factors’ key differences to give you a better picture.

Population

Consider the population size of public vs. private college. Public schools are known to have a larger population of students, including class sizes. This typically means there is less interaction and one-on-one time between students and their professors. There are still office hours held by professors, but more competition for their attention; in many cases, this means that independent learners who feel comfortable actively seeking assistance usually manage better at public institutions. Private colleges have smaller classes and more direction, so closer relationships are formed with professors.

Private schools usually have a larger pool of students spread out geographically, because tuition costs are the same for everyone, while public schools have more diverse demographics due to high acceptance rates and low costs. Though both are increasingly becoming more diverse in general, it’s important to take each college case by case; exploring how individual schools support black student organizations, women in STEM, LGBTQ+ groups, etc. can mean all the difference when finding your place as a student.

Cost and financial aid

When it comes to the cost, public schools typically have lower tuition, as government funding assists with a part of it. Also, students who reside in the same state where they attend college will pay less than those attending from out-of-state. Private colleges don’t have this difference; the cost of attendance is significantly higher, but students in-state and out-of-state pay the same amount of tuition. 

Both public and private colleges will provide financial aid to students, but private schools are often able to give larger grants and scholarships; tuition discounts that are sizable enough can make private school costs comparable to public school tuition. However, this varies on a case-by-case basis and often additional aid is still needed.

If you’re looking at other ways to pay for college, doing an early scholarship hunt can alleviate some of the financial strain of a college education. Starting to save earlier, filling out the FAFSA, looking into work-study jobs, and exploring different types of student loans will make all the difference. If your parents are able to help pay for college, using assets like your home’s equity for bigger sums of money, and exploring when to refinance a mortgage can help you pay for college without graduating with large amounts of debt.

Educational outcomes and accreditation

Many people hold job placement rates and accreditation high on their list of college factor points as well. When all is said and done, college is extremely costly and it's important to make sure you have a return on your investment. Contacting the college to determine the percentage of students employed post-graduation or the types of companies that employ alumni could be greatly beneficial. You may also be able to find this information online through different college prep portals or via the school's career development office.

Accreditation and prestige are additional factors that many people hold in high regard when looking into colleges and universities. Most public colleges have regional accreditation, while private colleges have national accreditation. With more competition in the job market, some employers look for graduates of prestigious colleges, especially if they have notable professors or research efforts. This is becoming less important, and if students work hard and are motivated to go above and beyond, they’re sure to find ample success at any college of their choosing. 

Areas of study

Another distinction can be made when debating areas of public vs. private college. Typically, public institutions have a wider variety of classes available to take and majors to choose from. This may be beneficial if you’re not entirely sure what you want to do with your career or are trying to decide on a major. On the flip side, private schools have more narrow areas of focus and are often beneficial for those who are set on a major and want a strong, specialized area of study. 

Social Scene, Athletics and Extracurriculars

College is also about meeting people and having fun. If you’re interested in going to a school with a busier social scene, this can usually be found at bigger, public universities that have larger Greek life presence. 

Additionally, there are many Division I athletic teams at private schools, but the majority play for public colleges and universities. The colleges with bigger populations usually have a lot more team spirit within their student body, which is something a lot of people look for when college hunting. In terms of extracurriculars, public schools usually have more options and campus activities, as they have a larger population.

Religious affiliations

In accordance with the law, public schools have to be secular and cannot be religiously affiliated. Private schools don’t need to have a separation of church and state, so many of them choose to have a connection with religion. Though this is the case, most colleges don’t require you to practice the school’s religion for admission or attendance. 

Experience the campus for yourself

In addition to doing your thorough research of public vs. private college, taking the time to tour the campus or talk to current students can actually make the decision to attend a college feel real. In addition to tour guides, which are always a valuable asset, finding other people to ask all of the nitty-gritty questions might make all the difference when it’s time to make your college decision. High school guidance counselors may have connections with a student from your hometown that went to one of your prospective colleges. If not, someone from admissions would be more than happy to connect you with an outgoing student or two. 

Getting an honest opinion from these individuals will tremendously help in your decision process. There are also colleges that allow you to stay overnight with a current student, which is a great way that prospective students can shadow college classes and experience things firsthand. Getting a competitive edge early in high school or speaking to application counselors may also help ease some anxiety when preparing for your next big move. Narrowing down your list of colleges—and differentiating between public vs. private college—can be overwhelming and stressful, but once you find the right fit, your next four (or so) years will be the experience of a lifetime!