Colleges, Universities and Institutes

The Distinction Degree-granting institutions in the United States can be called by any of these terms, and colleges and institutes are in no way inferior to universities. 

University:
University offers a wide range of graduate programs, including doctoral degrees. Universities emphasize research as well as  teaching (traditionally a strength of colleges), and universities that offer doctoral programs are usually referred to as research universities.

College:
Colleges tend to be smaller than universities and usually do not offer doctoral degrees.

Institute:
An institute usually specializes in degree programs in a group of closely related subject areas, so you will also come across degree programs offered at institutes of technology, institutes of fashion, institutes of art and design, and so on. Research centers offer graduate degrees or research and training opportunities, and they may or may not be affiliated with universities. Within each institution you may find schools such as the school of arts and sciences or school of business.

Each school is responsible for the degree programs offered by the college or university in that area of study.

Private and Public Institutions

Both public and private universities offer degree programs. The terms “public” and “private” refer to the way in which universities are financially supported. 

Public universities may also be called state universities, and some include the words “state university” in their title or include a regional element such as “eastern” or “northern.” 

• State universities tend to be very large with enrollments of 20,000 or more students. 

• Public universities obtain a part of their support from the state in which they are located, the tuition they charge is often lower than that charged by private institutions. 

• Public institutions generally charge lower tuition to state residents (those who live and pay taxes  in the state) than to students coming from outside the state.

• International students are considered out-of-state residents and therefore do not benefit from reduced tuition at state institutions. 

Private institutions are supported by student tuition, investment income, research contracts, and private donations. 

• Tuition fees tend to be higher at private universities than at state universities, and they charge the same tuition to all students, both state and non-state residents

• Colleges with a religious affiliation and single-sex colleges are private

• Private universities have enrollments of fewer than 20,000 students, and private colleges may have 2,000 or fewer students on their campuses

Except for financial considerations, the public or private nature of a university should not be a factor in selecting a graduate program. High quality programs exist in both types of institutions.