What is the difference between college and university?

Question

I am wondering which is better or both. In addition, what are there significants?

Answer 1

They're the same at the college level, but a university includes a graduate school. Thus, it's bigger. That's really the only difference if you're applying to college...it wouldn't really affect you.

PS. It doesn't have to do with prestige...it just happens that many prestigious colleges include graduate schools and thus are universities.

Answer 2

Universities are generally bigger and have more students, as they are composed of multiple colleges. For example, many universities have a college of arts and sciences, a nursing school, a business school, etc.

Colleges tend to be smaller in size and number of students, but you can typically find the same basic majors you can find in a university. It's just that these majors aren't broken down into different schools.

Depending on what you're aiming for, a university is generally better; because of its size, you're more likely to have more options regarding specific majors, classes, activities, etc. But, there are some colleges that are better than universities. An example is Boston College, which is very well known. Dartmouth is another amazing college; despite the fact that its an ivy league school, it is not really a university.

If you want to be in a larger setting, I would suggest a university. If you're the type of person that likes intimate settings, then a college would be the better option.

Answer 3

In some cases a college is a 2-year institution that gives an AA degree while a university is a 4-year that gives a BA or BS as well as post grad degrees and certificates. But also, there are different colleges of study at universities. For instance, I went to Cal State U, Long Beach. Most of my classes were in the College of Ed at the university. Hope this helps.

Answer 4

The terms “college”, “school” and “university” have developed, from common usage into interchangeable words. A university is typically a larger institution, made up of smaller specialty schools, such as a School of Medicine or a Business College. So basically, a university will usually include around 4 undergraduate college programs, and college is used to describe the classes you could take at a university. :)

Answer 5

A college in an institution which offers bachelor's degrees either in the field of liberal arts or science. The university takes this one step further. Universities offer bachelor's degrees and higher degrees, as well such at Master's degrees which involve more courses in the areas you wish to get your degree work in, and Doctorates which involves a few years in additional work but prepare you to have a better chance at a good job in your chosen profession.

Answer 6

I think that historically a college was "a school for undergraduates that offered a bachelor's degree." A university was a school that included both a college and graduate schools offering masters and doctorates. Today, the terms are often confused or used interchangeably.

Answer 7

Students usually attend a college for four years and gain a bachelor’s degree. Colleges generally do not support research or offer graduate degrees. Universities usually are much larger than colleges. Universities carry out research. And they offer several kinds of degrees in many areas of study.
Universities:
They offer bachelor’s degrees after four years of study. Universities also offer graduate degrees that require additional years of study, such as master’s degrees and doctoral degrees.

Answer 8

I think a university is better. A college is smaller than a university. A university is huge! A university also has more people. I guess a university has a better education. I would rather go to a university then a college. They're kind of the same but not really.

Answer 9

Legally in terms of income tax for the colleges themselves/universities themselves, there is a difference as I understand it.

In some cases, colleges are open to almost everyone but some universities can screen for the best 10%/whatever.

In terms of universities in general, there are some universities which are off the scale in terms of what universities can be - universities like Harvard, Stanford, or the University of California at Berkeley, etc.

Some persons with long range goals tend to go to a junior college in one town for two years, go to a full college in another town for two more years, then do graduate work at still another school/university in one or more other towns.

There are lots of great men and women in the world who have never gone to the university but they were gifted with a good idea which they were able to develop into a large corporation/company whatever.

http://www.bls.gov/oco/

Very unusual people:

http://www.time.com/time/specials/2007/time100
http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune500/2007/

About balance:

http://www.focusonthefamily.com/
http://www.beliefnet.com/

Keep researching.

Good luck.

Answer 10

It really depends on where you are. The term "college" sometimes refers to schools such as community colleges that offer two year diploma and certificate programs, as well as some four year programs, but not necessarily a degree. The term "university" refers to a degree granting institution, offering four year programs to a bachelor's degree, and often graduate programs for a master's degree or a doctorate as well. I hope this helps.