Types of Colleges
Liberal Arts Colleges
A liberal arts college is a four-year undergraduate institution dedicated to the study of many areas of the arts and sciences. These are usually small schools with populations from as few as 200 to 5000. Liberal arts colleges concentrate on a well-rounded general education and emphasize problem-solving, critical thinking, and communication skills. Many liberal arts schools offer opportunities for students to engage in research. Typically, liberal arts colleges prioritize high engagement between students and faculty.
Universities
Universities can range in size but tend to be larger than liberal arts colleges. They offer both undergraduate and graduate degrees. Universities might also hold Medical or Law school for students who wish to pursue professional degrees. Professors at larger universities may be highly engaged in research and less accessible to undergraduate students, graduate students may serve as instructors or teaching assistants in undergraduate classes.
Single-Sex Colleges
A single-sex college is any college that only admits students of one sex, either male or female. Because these are private institutions, they each have their own policy regarding gender identity. Some single-sex colleges may have a partnership with another single-sex college or coed university where students can access resources and/or classes at either institution.
A single-sex college is any college that only admits students of one sex, either male or female. Because these are private institutions, they each have their own policy regarding gender identity. Some single-sex colleges may have a partnership with another single-sex college or coed university where students can access resources and/or classes at either institution.
Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)
Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) are a federally designated group of higher education institutions, founded before 1965 with the express mission of educating Black Americans. There are 102 HBCUs operating today, spread across the Southern United States. HBCUs don’t limit enrollment based on ethnicity or race. While their focus is to provide opportunities to African Americans, and the student body may be largely African American, anyone is welcome to apply and attend.
Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) are a federally designated group of higher education institutions, founded before 1965 with the express mission of educating Black Americans. There are 102 HBCUs operating today, spread across the Southern United States. HBCUs don’t limit enrollment based on ethnicity or race. While their focus is to provide opportunities to African Americans, and the student body may be largely African American, anyone is welcome to apply and attend.
Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSI)
Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSI) are colleges or universities where at least 25% of the undergraduate, full-time enrollment is Hispanic. Beyond the Hispanic student enrollment criteria, there is often a rich diversity of students attending HSIs, including students who are first in their family to attend college, students from varying socioeconomic backgrounds, and students who may come from bilingual households and/or immigrant backgrounds. Currently, there are 569 HSIs across the U.S., including several UCs and CSUs.
Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSI) are colleges or universities where at least 25% of the undergraduate, full-time enrollment is Hispanic. Beyond the Hispanic student enrollment criteria, there is often a rich diversity of students attending HSIs, including students who are first in their family to attend college, students from varying socioeconomic backgrounds, and students who may come from bilingual households and/or immigrant backgrounds. Currently, there are 569 HSIs across the U.S., including several UCs and CSUs.
International Schools
Students may choose to attend all four years of college abroad at a university in another country. Most nations welcome international students, and some places are even seeking to enroll American students, including countries throughout Europe and Asia. Students will often need to be proficient in the native language of that country, though this is not always the case. Studying internationally is a unique experience that will give students a global perspective in their field of study. Some universities cost much less than American universities, making tuition more affordable. However, travel costs are higher and financial aid may be limited, although some colleges accept the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Admission criteria and application procedures vary by country/university, so it is important to research requirements early. It is also important to research whether graduating degrees will transfer back to the United States.
Students may choose to attend all four years of college abroad at a university in another country. Most nations welcome international students, and some places are even seeking to enroll American students, including countries throughout Europe and Asia. Students will often need to be proficient in the native language of that country, though this is not always the case. Studying internationally is a unique experience that will give students a global perspective in their field of study. Some universities cost much less than American universities, making tuition more affordable. However, travel costs are higher and financial aid may be limited, although some colleges accept the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Admission criteria and application procedures vary by country/university, so it is important to research requirements early. It is also important to research whether graduating degrees will transfer back to the United States.
Military/Service Academies
The United States service academies, also known as the United States military academies, are federal academies for the undergraduate education and training of commissioned officers for the United States Armed Forces. There are five service academies: U.S. Naval Academy (Annapolis, MD), U.S. Military Academy (West Point, NY), U.S. Air Force Academy (Colorado Springs, CO), U.S. Coast Guard Academy (Groton, CT), U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (Kings Point, NY)
The United States service academies, also known as the United States military academies, are federal academies for the undergraduate education and training of commissioned officers for the United States Armed Forces. There are five service academies: U.S. Naval Academy (Annapolis, MD), U.S. Military Academy (West Point, NY), U.S. Air Force Academy (Colorado Springs, CO), U.S. Coast Guard Academy (Groton, CT), U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (Kings Point, NY)
Private Universities
Private or independent colleges and universities are schools that are not operated by the government. They range in size, from small to very large. Tuition is the same for all students regardless of the state they come from. The cost of attendance at a private university is usually higher than public universities, however many private schools do offer grants and scholarships.
Private or independent colleges and universities are schools that are not operated by the government. They range in size, from small to very large. Tuition is the same for all students regardless of the state they come from. The cost of attendance at a private university is usually higher than public universities, however many private schools do offer grants and scholarships.
Arts colleges
Art colleges and conservatories focus on the arts. In addition to regular course work, these colleges provide training in areas such as photography, music, theater or fashion design. Most of these colleges offer associate or bachelor's degrees in the fine arts or a specialized field.
Public Universities and Colleges
Public universities and colleges are funded by local and state governments and usually offer lower tuition rates for students who are residents of the state where the school is located. Nonresident students will pay “out-of-state” tuition; “in-state” tuition will apply to resident students. In California, the University of California (UC) system, California State University (CSU) system, and California Community College (CCC) system are our three public university/college systems.
Public universities and colleges are funded by local and state governments and usually offer lower tuition rates for students who are residents of the state where the school is located. Nonresident students will pay “out-of-state” tuition; “in-state” tuition will apply to resident students. In California, the University of California (UC) system, California State University (CSU) system, and California Community College (CCC) system are our three public university/college systems.
- University of California (UC)
The University of California is a system of 10 campuses, five medical centers and three affiliated national laboratories (UC facts at a glance). The University's fundamental missions are teaching, research and public service. Undergraduate programs are available to all eligible California high-school graduates and community college transfer students who wish to attend the University of California. At the graduate level, students experience with their instructors the processes of developing and testing new hypotheses and fresh interpretations of knowledge. Research takes place in hundreds of disciplines at UC campuses, national laboratories, medical centers and other research facilities around the state. Through its public service programs and industry partnerships, UC disseminates research results and translates scientific discoveries into practical knowledge and technological innovations that benefit California and the nation.
- California State University (CSU)
The California State University is the nation’s largest four-year public university, with 23 campuses and eight off-campus centers (CSU facts at a glance). CSU provides an environment in which scholarship, research, creative, artistic, and professional activity are valued and supported. CSU offers undergraduate and graduate instruction leading to bachelor's and higher degrees in the liberal arts and sciences, the applied fields, and the professions. These programs are available to all eligible California high-school graduates and community college transfer students who wish to attend the CSU.
- California Community Colleges
With more than 2.1 million students at 116 colleges, the California Community Colleges is the largest system of higher education in the country (CCC facts at a glance). The 116 colleges provide workforce and vocational training, certificate and degree programs, and preparation for transfer to four-year institutions.