The Pros And Cons Of Private Colleges

Private Colleges are colleges that are funded independently, in comparison to public colleges that are funded by the state. Both have their share of pros and cons when it comes to further education and the public vs private college debate has been going on for some time. Therefore when it comes to choosing somewhere to study, with so many factors to consider and so many opinions on the matter, it can be hard to know which one is the right choice for you. To help you out we’ve weighed up the pros and cons of private colleges below.

Pros

Smaller class sizes

One of the biggest advantages of private colleges is that they tend to have smaller class sizes. This is because private colleges have a smaller student population in general which can be advantageous for a number of reasons. Firstly a smaller class size means it is easier to schedule a time to meet with your professor. What’s more, your work will also probably get marked quicker as your professor isn’t having to check through hundreds of students papers.

Better academics

There are plenty of great public colleges out there however, generally speaking, private colleges are known to be a bit more challenging when it comes to academics. That’s because private colleges have more money to work with so they can afford to pay for the best professors who come with high expectations. This may also mean that private colleges can be more stressful and harder to achieve top grades in though.

Financial aid packages

Private colleges can be very expensive, that being said they also generally have much bigger financial aid packages in order to compensate for this. These packages mean that students only have to pay a very small percentage of the actual cost so they aren’t necessarily the most expensive option. Whats’s more private colleges are very willing to dish out scholarships, grants and other aid to students with good grades or particular skills.

The name

Even if you don’t plan on attending an Ivy League College, chances are if its a private college that you’re considering then it’s probably got a good reputation to back up its name. Therefore this may mean that it’s looked upon favourably by employers if they see it on your CV. However that being said, your grades and general work experience count for much more.

Smaller campus size

The size and general feel of the campus is also something that you should bear in mind. Private colleges tend to be much smaller, whereas public ones are much bigger. Depending on your preferences you might prefer somewhere that’s smaller and easier to settle or you might welcome a larger campus where you’ll be able to meet more people.

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Cons

Cost

Private colleges are more expensive than public ones. However, they can vary dramatically amongst each other and as previously mentioned above, they generally offer much more in the way of financial aid packages to compensate for this.

Lack of diversity

When it comes to the student population, private colleges often lack the diversity that you’d find in public ones.  This means that you’re less likely to interact with students of other ages, countries and beliefs.

Fewer Programs

Generally speaking, private colleges have less academic programs and degrees than public ones. Private colleges are generally more selective in the courses that they offer, often only focusing on core academic subjects whereas public colleges are able to offer experience in a broad range of skills. This can also extend to the selection of clubs and societies available too.

There are a lot of preconceptions out there when it comes to private colleges but as you can see they’re not necessarily the most expensive option, contrary to thought. At the end of the day, it comes down to personal preferences, your grades and the subject that you’d like to study. The best thing to do is to go into it with an open mind and take a look around a mixture of both. Chances are you’ll know when you find a college that feels right.  Would you consider attending a private college? If not, why? Let us know in the comments below.

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