All Colleges and Universities Are Not the Same

The American higher education system reflects a unique richness with the diversity of institutions.  Opportunities are available for students to attend public or private institutions, research/doctoral universities or liberal arts colleges, institutions of all sizes, located in urban or rural areas, attending as residents or commuters.

 From one perspective, all colleges and universities share much in common.  The teaching-learning process that occurs between faculty and students in the classroom is fundamental to every institution regardless of mission, educational philosophy or tradition.  Students take classes in their major, general education requirements, and a number of electives.  In addition, opportunities for co-curricular activities and the availability of programs and services to support learning, career development and student wellness are common features of most every school. 

 But there are also significant variations from one school to another in terms of the educational experience of students and the opportunities for personal development.  While institutions that seem to be similar in scope and size can still be very different, there seem to be some clear trends related to types of colleges and universities.  Recent data from the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) reveals important differences between private colleges and universities, and public research/doctoral universities.

 For the past six years, the NSSE has been administered annually on hundreds of college campuses.  This survey tracks data related to student participation in academic programs and supporting activities and student perceptions related to the benefits of the quality of their educational experience and available activities.  The most recent survey was administered to almost 150,000 freshmen and seniors on 473 college and university campuses of all types and sizes.

 A number of questions in the survey address what is described as “personal attention to students.”  It considers factors related to student learning and personal development.  In virtually every category, students at private, independent colleges and universities report significantly more personal attention.

 For example, 51% (as compared to 38%) talked about career plans with a faculty member and 97 % say that faculty members take a personal interest in their progress.  Students also report that they are more academically challenged at private independent schools.  They read more textbooks, write more papers, and spend more time preparing for class.  They are also more engaged in class, asking questions and participating in discussions.

 An interesting statistic is that 25% of these students report a study abroad experience (compared to 13% at public universities).  They also engage in higher numbers in community service, internships and other experiential learning opportunities.  Over half of these students volunteer compared to only 40% at public universities.  Two-thirds of these students report that their educational experience contributed significantly to their moral development (compared to half the students at public universities).

 Another important area of this research is described as “student success.”  Graduation rates at private, independent colleges and universities are higher for all student categories.  Greater numbers of students report engaging in higher-level learning activities, such as integrating ideas and making critical judgments, and developing increased intellectual skills.

 The value of a college education can be measured in many ways.  Ultimately, the quality of the faculty and the distinction of the academic programs may be the most important criteria.  The reputation of the institution is always a factor in career and graduate school decisions.  Superior academic programs and world-class faculty can be found on campuses of all types.  In many cases, research and doctoral institutions have learning resources and opportunities that are extraordinary and cannot be duplicated at smaller, private institutions.

 But the educational environment --the personal attention provided to students and the opportunity to engage more fully in the life of the campus -- have great benefits as well.  And these benefits can dramatically affect the academic success of students.  Too often, students and their parents choose a college or university because of the cost or the convenience.  A more important consideration should be the fit.  What kind of educational experience will be the most meaningful for the student and enhance student success? 

 We are fortunate to have a higher education system that provides a wide range of experiences and academic opportunities.  The best advice for prospective students … Choose wisely.  It will make a difference.