What kind of college experience is right for you?
What’s a liberal arts education?
A liberal arts education focuses on critical thinking, communication, and intellectual curiosity. Students learn what it means to interconnect disciplines like how the arts and humanities inform science and engineering and vice versa. The ability to bridge ideas across the disciplines is a foundation for innovation and useful in any career. The liberal arts are an excellent foundation for a rapidly changing job market.
No matter what major a student chooses, they’ll take classes in a range of academic disciplines including science, math, literature, and history. “Liberal” in this context means large or broad, and has nothing to do with politics. Liberal arts colleges might have a religious orientation or another focus like the environment or philosophy. While small liberal arts colleges focus on this educational approach, large universities also offer a liberal arts education, and sometimes have programs to create smaller learning environments within the larger setting.
Large university
Large universities often build strong academic reputations through top research programs and faculty publications. Sports programs showcase some of the nation’s best athletes. Some class sizes are very large — hundreds of students — supplemented by smaller sessions with graduate student teaching assistants. Universities offer a range of programs including liberal arts degrees and advanced degrees that prepare students for specific professions like engineering, business, medicine, or law. With their large size, universities offer vibrant campus life and a wide range of activities and programs. Faculty often mentor undergraduate students providing a pathway to develop research skills in preparation for graduate school and future careers. Universities also play a key role in working with local and global communities, fostering public service and global exchange of ideas.
Small liberal arts college
Small colleges offer students a more personalized experience. These colleges typically focus on education, rather than research. Small class sizes means more opportunity to get to know faculty and other students. This can create a supportive, collaborative environment. Because the student body is small, students may have more opportunities to participate in programs outside their field of study, like sports, drama, music. Colleges like Harvey Mudd, Wesleyan, Swarthmore, Williams, Bates, and Pomona are a few highly regarded liberal arts colleges.
Community college
Community colleges typically offer two-year associates degrees preparing students for specific careers or to transfer to a university, although some offer bachelor’s degrees in specific topics. Community colleges have smaller class sizes than universities. Many community colleges offer dorm housing and campus life programs. Community colleges are more and more transitioning to “Colleges” offering four year degrees and even graduate degrees.
Trade school
Some students prefer to prepare for a specific career right out of high school or when switching careers. Trade school offers hands-on learning of practical skills needed in specific fields including electrical, HVAC, dental hygienist, automotive, radiology. Typically trade schools don’t offer college activities like dorm life or sports teams.