Why do americans call both college and university "college"?

Answer 1

It has to do with the origination of universities in the US. Most of the early ones (e.g., Harvard, William & Mary) were colleges (e.g., schools for high school age students) when they started -- then they became institutions of higher learning.

Answer 2

In the US "College", "School", "University" are interchangeable words and most never gave it much thought to question what the difference was. I never thought about it until I visited France this year and everyone was confused when I would talk about college.

I found out that college refers to an institution that grants BS, BA (four year degrees) and a University grants BS, BA as well as higher education such as PhD, DO, MD, MS, etc.

Never knew that all universities were colleges but not all colleges are universities. Apparently I went to a university and not a college (considering "university" was in the name of my school that was a no-brainer)

Answer 3

Since college is a shorter and less cumbersome word. Also, in America, colleges and universities are almost the same thing--a university is just bigger (more students) and usually has areas for graduate studying. You still get a Bachelor's degree from either of them, and some colleges are just as prestigious as the universities. We don;t have anything like A-Level college, like I hear they have in England.

Answer 4

Different languages, systems, cultures. In most countries, there are TWO levels...College is the two years right after high school, and THEN you go to University. The two words refer to two different things. College is done while living at home...University is a residential school.

Answer 5

Because for undergraduate students the distinction, which rests mainly in the conferral of graduate degrees, is not that important.

Answer 6

becuz they both are collage