Private Universities

Find the Public and Private Universities near you

Private Colleges: A Distinctive Learning Experience

What does it mean to be a private university? The term as used with colleges defines the funding procedures. A private university is funded by private funds meeting the cost of education through tuition receipts, investments, and monies from private donors.

Private universities are usually larger then a private liberal arts college yet not as large as public universities. A private university can range in size from small to large. However, it is possible to find a smaller more intimate setting at some private universities with lower enrollment numbers.

So what makes a private university distinct? One of the ways it is different from a liberal arts college is the offering of graduate level degrees. At most liberal arts colleges only a bachelor of arts or a bachelor of science is on offer. At a private university a student would have the option of obtaining an advanced degree.

These degree offerings in a particular area of study will vary with each institution. However many private universities are able to offer Master of Arts, Master of Fine Arts, and Master of Business Administration. If you are interested in higher levels of degrees, you might also find a Doctorate of Philosophy, Doctor of Medicine, or a Juris Doctor in the offerings.

Under the umbrella of the university name, a student will find many other smaller colleges. This gives the student the advantage of a larger institution while at the same time finding more specialized courses in their area of interest. It is very typical to find colleges that focus on business, education or science. It is important to do some checking on the universities you are considering to see the weight a degree from that institution will carry for you when you enter your job field.

Finding the right school is important to carry you through those difficult spots in your education. Fit is very important so don't rule out a university without visiting. While it may seem that private universities could be more costly, many are able to offer some substantial aid packages. So be sure to look at all the details when making your choice.