Breaking down public and private schools

You want hands-on experience in your major. You want a top-notch education, but you don’t want to have student loans for years after graduation. What's the best way to figure out how to choose a college that's right for you? Surprise: A state college or university can offer you all of the above.

State school benefits

What does a state school have to offer? The most obvious benefit of a state college is affordable cost. At Fayetteville State University (FSU) in North Carolina, the approximate cost of tuition for the is $2,659 per year for in-state residents. Private universities and colleges often have a higher tuition per year. Take New York University (NYU) in Manhattan, for example, where the Web site publishes the cost of tuition as $30,095 per year no matter which state you’re from. 

“The major difference between a public and private college is the source of their funding,” says Carol Hogan, director of admissions at FSU. “Public universities receive money from the state that helps them underwrite the cost of education. Private universities are dependent...on tuition dollars to cover the cost.”

But take note: Tuition at state schools is higher for non-state residents. For out-of-staters at FSU, for example, tuition is $12,020 per year. 

Kelly Bowers, a senior at West Chester University (WCU) in West Chester, Penn., says that she chose WCU over a private school because, “it was one of two colleges in Pennsylvania that had my major, and it was the cheapest out of the two.” 

Choosing a private school

Ian Jones chose a private college. This student at John F. Kennedy University (JFKU) in California, says, “I like the small class size, more personal attention from the instructors, and that I’m not just a number.” 

Does that mean that you’ll receive a better education from a private school versus a public one? Not necessarily. “When a student looks at a college, it should not be an either/or scenario when looking at private or a public school,” Hogan says. “A student has to select a college that has the right match, feel, and is affordable.”

How do you choose?

When it comes to your overall college experience, how to choose a college that is either public or private college is simply what you make of it. Getting involved in campus activities is a great way for you to have fun and meet new friends. It will also give you experience in teamwork and time management that you can use after you graduate.

Bowers agrees that getting involved in different clubs on campus “definitely [gives you] a better sense of teamwork. And depending on your personality and ambition, you can gain leadership skills.”

Will attending a state school affect your prospective jobs after graduation? Dr. Thomas B. Matthews, director of career services at the State University of New York IT, says, “Employers are hiring well-rounded individuals with a balance of educational credentials and relevant experience.” That means that it doesn’t matter where you got your degree, but rather if you were involved wherever you went. Did you have an internship, or did you sit in the back of all your classes and shy away from campus activities? 

Each year, the demand for higher education grows stronger as employers look for employees who possess college degrees. “Employers look for students that can hit the ground running and are competent in their subject matter,” Hogan says. “Employers recruit at schools—be they private or public—that produce graduates that meet their needs for growth and productivity.”

As you begin figuring out how to choose a college that is right for you, think about all of the important aspects of college life. Does the price suit you? Does the college offer the program that you want? Do they offer a vast array of clubs and organizations in which you can be involved? Your final college choice should be based on the answers to those important questions, not whether it’s a public or private college.