Community college, college, and university. What's the difference?
Many international students have difficulties understanding the differences between a community college, a college, and a university when deciding where to study in the U.S. Are they the same? Is there any real difference? Is one cheaper than the other one? Let's look at some differences.
There are different definitions for higher education schools in the United States that lead to confusion to international students when deciding where to study. Many international students think a college is synonym of a regular high school due to translation. There is also confusion on the kind of degrees you may get at one type of school and the reputation a school may have. However, there are differences and similarities among all of them that could help international students decide where to go.
The 'name' definition
The words 'college' and 'university' have the same meaning in the United States, which is a higher education school after high school. In Canada, Australia, and the UK, there are specific differences. We will focus on what it means within the U.S. Many students in the U.S., just call college or university as their school.
Other definitions may imply that a college or university is the same in meaning. So, a community college, college, and university is any school after high school or secondary education.
Some students may say 'I have to go to school' and they refer to their college or university campus, or 'I love my college' when they talk about their college or university.
The 'name' reputation
Some students think a college has less reputation than a university. This is completely wrong. There may be a loss in translation and think that a college is just a high school. So don't worry about that. A college is exactly as good as a university. Some students may prefer to study in a university just because they may have problems in their home countries when considered for a job. For the U.S., getting a job would not be an issue. You may feel surprised that there are colleges with more prestige than a lot of universities within the U.S.
U.S. school system
In the U.S., you can apply for a community college, college, or university, after high school. The most common differences are between a community college and the rest. The community college only offers an associate degree in two years and they don't have a bachelor's or master's degree. A college and a university usually offer the whole spectrum of degrees. You can find some colleges or universities that may look different here: some colleges offer more undergraduate degrees or focus their academic work on bachelor's degrees more; however, there are many colleges or senior colleges that would offer exactly the same as a university: research, master's degrees, and PhD's.
School divisions
Some schools may have its own academic division and this may lead to confusion as well. Some university systems, usually public state or city university systems, may have colleges as sub-institutions or just as academic programs or separate facilities.
For example, The City University of New York (CUNY) has 25 institutions and it's divided in 11 senior colleges, 7 community colleges, and 7 graduate schools. The senior colleges have 4-year undergraduate degrees and can be considered as separate universities within the 'umbrella' of CUNY.
Oftentimes some schools started as small colleges, with undergraduate degrees only, or just focused on some fields. With time, some become bigger institutions with a great population; start offering master's and PhD's degrees, and offer all types of fields, but they remain with the name of 'college' because of tradition, history, or pride. Sometimes, alumni and staff prefer to keep the original name and do not change it to university. There are cases when colleges are big and they could change their names to university, but the name is already taken.
Other differences are how a college or university defines its academic programs. Some call them schools or colleges. For example, the College of Staten Island have its School of Business, School of Education, School of Health Science, etc. In other universities, you may find the same schools as College of Business, College of Education, College of Health Science, etc. Again, no difference, just names to make academic divisions.
Price
Since community colleges only offer an associate degree, there may be a match between offer and demand, and the tuition fee could be more affordable. After a two-year school, students can transfer to a 4-year college or 4-year university for a bachelor's degree. The tuition fee could be as low as a community college, but it's usually higher. Colleges and universities could have the same price, but that would depend on different factors -and not because of the name 'college' or 'university'- such as location, tradition, public or private, etc. Therefore, prices do not make a big differences between colleges or universities because of the name.
Degrees
- Community college: Associate degree
- College/University: Associate degree, bachelor's degree, master's degree, PhD
These are the degrees that they are allowed to offer. For colleges and universities, not all of them will offer all the degrees and it may depend on their academic capacity, campus space, or academic expertise.
There is no difference on the diploma or certificate you may get from a college or university. A bachelor's degree is a bachelor's degree, from a college or university, same value, same degree.
Conclusions
International students should not think a university is better than a college. Do some research on the reputation, mouth-to-mouth feedback, or academic expertise. A college bachelor's degree has the same value as a university bachelor's degree. Do have in mind that tuition fees may defer upon location, prestige, or if the school is private or public.
All in all, before you decide, look for educational advisers who have experience in the U.S. school system so you can narrow a short list of institutions that have your academic priorities such as program content, credit course system, or academic structure, or external features like extra curricular activities, location, campus space, facilities, student affairs activities, or English program inside the school to apply directly.
English Language Institute
College of Staten Island/CUNY
elistudy@csi.cuny.edu
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Interested in applying to the College of Staten Island?
The English Language Institute (ELI) offers an exciting and innovative academic program for students learning English as a second language. Our course of study is designed to challenge and engage students. Students are immersed in the language, culture, and the ethnicity of New York City.
ELI offers semester and summer terms of 18 and 22 hours of class per week. Students can also join the groups that have already started the semester or summer term and study as many weeks as possible. Students have courses such as reading and writing, grammar, conversation, and TOEFL test preparation workshops with a final TOEFL ITP test, which lets students apply for any CUNY school degree.
Students in our program are entitled to use all the facilities available on campus such as the pool, tennis, basketball, racquetball courts, and fitness center. Students can also attend any lectures or workshops they feel would enhance their own learning experience. We invite you to come and see our beautiful campus. Learn English while enjoying the rich culture New York City has to offer.
Staten Island
Staten Island is about four times the size of Manhattan and has a population of approximately 473,000. It is noted for its parks and recreational areas, in addition to several notable cultural sites. Manhattan and other "boroughs" of New York City are easily accessible by public transportation.
The campus
The College is set on a large campus with woodlands and open spaces in Staten Island. Its attractive facilities include technologically advanced laboratories, a Sports and Recreation Center and a Center for the Performing and Creative Arts.
Campus location
The College is twenty-five minutes by ferry from Manhattan. Our students have easy access to the rich cultural life of the City by way of a ferry shuttle ride located on the CSI campus. The ferry shuttle travels directly to the Staten Island ferry.
ELI academic program
The ELI offers intensive, comprehensive English language instruction and cultural orientation throughout the year. The program covers all aspects of spoken and written English, including listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Classes are given at three levels of proficiency, from beginner to advanced. Course content includes the proper use of English structures, fluency and accuracy of expression with acceptable pronunciation, listening and reading comprehension, and writing for personal, academic, and professional purposes. Students communicate in English from the first lesson at the beginner level. At all levels they work on integrated skills, focusing on the active, knowledgeable use of the language, rather than mere passive comprehension.
ELI courses:
- Reading & Writing
- Grammar
- Communications (Conversation)
- TOEFL Workshop
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