College vs university: what is the difference and which one to use?

After completing high school studies, you may decide to join an institution to further your studies. But then, before deciding on what to pursue further, you have to consider things like your grades and many more other factors. Deciding between joining a college or a university may be a challenge. In most cases, we tend to be confused about differentiating the two. Is a college the same as a university? Find out in this college vs university comparison. To shed light on these differences, Professor Simon Marginson, a Professor of Higher Education at the University of Oxford, provides insights on understanding the nuances between colleges and universities, helping students make informed decisions about their educational paths.

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So, what is the difference between college and university? We all have different opinions; some tend to think that education at a university tends to be better than at a college, while others do not.

Difference between colleges and universities

Professor Simon Marginson, a Professor of Higher Education at the University of Oxford, explained in an interview that the primary difference between a college and a university varies by country.

He said universities offer first and higher degrees, including postgraduate programs, while colleges are for programs beyond school that do not necessarily involve degrees. However, Professor Simon mentioned that this distinction can sometimes be blurred. He explains:

In the United States, the word 'college' is used for almost everything, at the first-degree level. People talk about going to college when they're going to prominent research universities. College can also mean four-year colleges, liberal arts colleges, or for-profit colleges. The word is used very broadly in the US. In the English system, colleges are usually seen as separate from universities, and colleges are mostly colleges for further education, which offer some higher education programs but also mostly sub-degree programs. 'Other tertiary,' you might call them. But then, when you look at the names of universities in the UK, you'll see that there are universities called King's College London and University College London, which are giant global universities. The word college in the UK is also sometimes applied to universities. But generally speaking, when people in the UK say college in general, they don't mean university.When you go to other countries, it's different again. Different kinds of institutions have different names. For example, the second higher education sector in the Netherlands is called the Universities of Applied Sciences. They could have been called colleges or polytechnics, but they're called Universities of Applied Sciences. The same broad title is used in Finland and Germany, where the Fachhochschulen is similar, I suppose, to the Universities of Applied Sciences.

Colleges vs universities: Difference in level of education

Professor Simon also explained the differences between colleges and universities regarding the type of education they offer undergraduates and graduates. He said:

If we understand by colleges, sub-degree, then one- and two-year programs, which might have certificates or diplomas attached to them but not degrees, would be provided. But then you get plenty of cases where institutions are not regarded as universities but are considered colleges that offer degree programs. And you see this increasingly in many countries. We've seen an uprising of the level of many courses and institutions. Degrees used to be a relatively small matter; a small proportion of the population would go into degree programs. Now, whether you're talking about universities or you're talking about colleges, a lot more people are going into degree programs than before. Generally, education is getting longer. People are going to higher levels, and so on. At the last count, which is 2022, about 42% of all young people will go into some kind of tertiary education. Most of those are doing degree programs, whether in universities or other institutions called institutes or colleges. 

Misconceptions about colleges and universities

The education expert addresses common misconceptions students and parents may have regarding colleges and universities. Here are some key points he highlighted:

1. Specific vocational training directly translates to job readiness:

We know that some jobs require specific skills, and you need to be trained in those skills. But we also know that in all jobs, employers like new employees to be adaptable, quick to learn, and able to work together with others, work in teams, solve problems, be innovative and critical and creative thinkers about the tasks that they have in front of them, and to be good communicators, have a good understanding of what they're being told to do. We know that most, if not all, employers want these broad-based general skills. However, many employers also want particular skills. It depends on the job, but employers want both specific and broad-based general skills in many jobs.

2. Job market vs career path:

We also know that when people graduate, they often don't end up working in jobs they're trained for. They often end up working in other sectors. Usually, people work in jobs that need particular skills, yet these are not the skills they train for. They're a new set of skills they're learning on the job. The need to be flexible at the point of entry into career work means that it's often helpful to do broad-based educational programs like social sciences, business studies, humanities, general science, and maths. While parents often feel more secure if their child is working in a training program that produces an exact set of skills for an actual job, that's not how the world usually works. Parents shouldn't worry too much if their child is going into a program that is broader-based and more general or is more about academic knowledge than it is about work because the chances are if their child has graduated successfully, got a good level of qualification, they'll still be employable quite broadly, and they'll learn a lot on the job pretty quickly because that's how we know most of what we do at work. The education-work relationship is more flexible than most of us think it is. 

Tertiary Education: Expert tips and preparation for work

Professor Simon provided essential advice for students transitioning from universities/colleges to the workforce. He mentioned:

• Avoid narrow programs at the tertiary stage.

If you do a very narrow program that doesn't prepare you to work with people, solve problems, be flexible and responsive, and respond to new pressures at work, then you perhaps won't do quite as well in your career as you would if you'd done a more general program.

• Focus on what motivates you and what you care about to develop yourself effectively.

The most important thing about post-school education, tertiary education, is doing what you're good at, learning, and building your confidence, agency, and ability around whatever program you're studying. So that you come out confident, capable, and enthusiastic and have yet to spend three or four years doing something you didn't like, where you wouldn't have learned so well, it's important to develop yourself well during the tertiary training program, whatever the course. 

• Be prepared for unexpected changes and opportunities in life.

We can only partially anticipate what will happen several years ahead or what opportunities will be available. We can plan, but life evolves differently than we intend. Trying to precisely forecast, plan, and lock it down with a clear single pathway doesn't work well. When you graduate, and you find no jobs for someone on that pathway, but there might be many other kinds of jobs that you see, and then the graduate has to shift sideways, that does happen quite a lot. It is essential to be ready for that and to deal with it when it happens. And you're more likely to be able to deal with that if you've got an excellent broad-based set of skills coming out of your tertiary program rather than just narrow skills. You've got to take whatever opportunities come your way when they come, and you have to be ready to deal with that challenge. So being flexible is vital, as well as being well developed during education, having studied hard, and progressing as well as possible.

• Have a combination of broad-based and specific skills

The ideal combination for many employers is that you have an excellent general skill base so that you're literate, can handle numbers, can use IT, and can communicate well technically. But at the same time, you've also learned some particular skills. You've learned something quite vocational and practical. That shows you can learn something precise and valuable while having a broad skill set. That combination—a broad education and specific skills on your resume—is probably the ideal preparation. I think it is the best preparation you can have for work. Your resume looks best, and you are also best prepared.

A college vs university comparison

There are many things to consider when deciding between university vs college courses. Some of these things include:

• On-campus facilities and amenities
• Accreditation
• Type of school
• Affordability
• Geographic location

What is the difference between a college and a university? Have a look at the major variances between the two.

What is a college?

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What's the difference between college and university? Colleges are referred to as higher institutions that offer undergraduate degrees and certificates. They cater to various students such as high school students, adult learners, and many more.

They focus more on teaching and are less devoted to research efforts, although many colleges still have research programs.

Unlike in university, college education focuses more on everyday, functional or applied knowledge and practical learning – more or less teaching you how to do things. A course at a college can range from one to three years.

Types of colleges

• Community colleges - They are also called junior colleges; they offer associate degrees and certificate programs.
• Vocational and technical colleges - They provide specialized training for specific career fields.
• Liberal arts colleges - They offer diverse education to students consisting of different subjects.

Advantages

• They have a closer and more unified student community.
• There is a focus on undergraduate teaching.
• Students are likely to get more personalized attention from lectures.
• They are more devoted to undergraduate teaching and less focused on research efforts.
• Tuition costs a fraction of a four-year university, making them more affordable.
• For students with certain interests, colleges often have additional curriculum specialization.

Disadvantages

• Most have fewer overall programs offered.
• They do not offer direct access to more advanced degrees.
• They lack diversity.
• There are usually fewer resources and facilities for conducting research.
• Faculty at colleges are less likely to be leading researchers in their fields.
• Some may not offer the same resources or diversity of people and studies as a larger university.
• Students are likely to need more education to get a higher-paying job.

What is a university?

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A university is an institution of higher education and research that awards academic degrees in several academic disciples.

What is the difference between university and college? Some universities offer special programs where their students can earn both an undergraduate and a graduate degree in a reduced amount of time.

Universities are generally bigger and prestigious institutions offering both graduate and undergraduate degrees. Statistics also show that university graduates have more earning power compared to college graduates.

How long do you go to university for? Most undergraduate degrees take about three to five years to complete.

Unlike in college, where students are not many in a class, at the university, you are likely to sit in a lecture theatre with over 150 people, listen to a professor talk, and then read and hand in assignments and essays.

Types of universities

• Research university - They have professors who conduct research, report their findings, and teach. Many research universities emphasize academics rather than vocational training, and students may not be prepared for specific professions.
• Public university - Are universities that the state/government funds.
• Private university - Receive no public funding.

Advantages

• Offers more programs and has a more diverse community of students
• Lecturers are likely to be well-known experts in their fields of study.
• Availability of research opportunities.
• There is more access to advanced degrees and more interaction with graduate students.

Disadvantages

• Students do not switch majors at a university because of the bureaucracy involved.
• More costly.
• Large class sizes.
• Research is prioritized over undergraduate teaching.
• There is less personalized attention from professors and lectures.

What is better, college or university?

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All things considered, you might want to join programs that are offered through university and college partnerships. With these kinds of programs, you would generally spend a year in college to earn a diploma and then a further three or four years in university to earn your degree.

Such a route is likely to be the best. Finally, before making any hasty decisions, do a lot of research – talk to former and current university and college students about what they are doing and their current feelings about the whole thing, and ask potential employers what kind of education they'd suggest to prepare you for the real world best.

There are many things to consider when it comes to comparing college vs university. All in all, program value and education are perhaps the most important factors to consider when considering your options.

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