In everyday life, the words college and university are often used interchangeably. However, there are some key differences between the two educational institutions that sets them apart. These differences are important to know because they may affect your future academic prospects.

International students who are not familiar with the U.S. educational system are often confused about which institution will better cater to their academic goals. International students looking to pursue post-secondary education in the U.S. may overlook suitable colleges because of their misperceptions regarding colleges in the U.S.

In many countries in South Asia, colleges teach the 11^th and 12^th years of formal education. However, in the U.S., the same years come under high school. These kinds of differences in terminology are what confuses overseas students about education in the U.S.

Let’s explore some of the key differences between U.S. colleges and universities.

Colleges Are Post-Secondary Institutions in the U.S.

This first point may not be an immediate difference between a U.S. college and university, but it is an essential piece of knowledge to know as an international student. A college in the U.S. is a post-secondary education institution that can also be termed a higher education institute.

In the U.S. education system, high school or more specifically senior high school include the 11^th and 12^th grade. Unlike some countries, the 11^th and 12^th grades are not considered as college. Instead, they fall under a high school education.

Upon graduating from high school, students in the U.S. are awarded high school diplomas, making them eligible for a post-secondary or higher education, i.e., college.

U.S. Colleges Only Offer Undergraduate Degrees/Programs 

So we know that a U.S. college is different from a high school, but how is it different from a university? Well, this is the key difference between a college and a university in the U.S. A college only offers undergraduate studies. This means that U.S. colleges award bachelor’s degrees that are typically 4-year long.

Colleges in the U.S. generally offer fewer programs as compared to universities. However, they all fall under either a bachelor of Arts degree (B.A) or a bachelor of science degree (B.S). Students who opt for B.A. degrees typically study subjects such as social sciences, humanities, or fine arts. B.S. degrees, on the other hand, include coursework from physical or mathematical sciences.

Moreover, a college in the U.S. can also be 2-year long. However, a 2-year college will generally offer an associate’s degree or a certificate.

U.S. Universities Offer both Graduate and Undergraduate Degree Programs

U.S. universities are sizable institutes that offer hundreds of programs in both graduate and undergraduate degrees. A graduate program is what comes after college and leads to a master’s degree and/or PhDs.

In some instances, students who attend undergraduate programs at a university can earn both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in a shorter time.

So a U.S. college only offers undergraduate degrees such as B.A. and B.S., whereas a university has programs on both graduate(masters or Ph.D.) and undergraduate level.

Universities Are Research Oriented 

Another critical difference between the two institutions is that universities emphasize research, whereas colleges are typically less concerned with research. Due to this reason, a university is more likely to have dedicated facilities for research work such as labs and necessary equipment. They spend billions of dollars each year on research and development and are generally funded by the government but can also be private.

If you are attending a graduate-level program, either master’s or Ph.D., you will have to submit a thesis at the end of your program and appear in front of a panel to defend your research. Once approved, only then are you eligible to be awarded a degree.

Universities Offer More Options Compared to Colleges

Colleges typically focus on a limited number of degree levels. For example, community colleges only offer 2-year associate’s degrees or certificates and concentrate on vocational programs.

The 4-year colleges only offer bachelor’s degrees in either the natural sciences, arts or humanities.

Universities, on the other hand, offer more options. You can find all levels of post-secondary education depending on the university i.e., Undergraduate, Masters, and Doctoral degrees (Ph.D.).

Moreover, universities also offer a far greater variety of programs to choose from. Some universities have hundreds of different programs in any given degree level with plenty of specialized programs that arent found in most colleges.

U.S. Universities May Have Dedicated Professional Schools

You have probably heard of law schools and medical schools when looking up U.S. universities. This is another difference between colleges and universities in the U.S. Some universities like Harvard have specialized schools that teach a single professional subject such as business, law, or medicine. For example, you may have heard of the popular Harvard business school, a separate school within Harvard dedicated to the study of business.

In the same light, Harvard has a separate Law school, a dental school, and a medical school, among many others. These offshoot schools are typically referred to as graduate schools in the U.S. and they are not limited to just Harvard. MIT and Stanford, and other universities have their own graduate schools for different professional degrees. This is something only seen in universities as colleges don’t have separate schools for professional programs.

Conclusion

In conclusion, colleges and universities carry different meanings compared to other parts of the world. Colleges in the U.S. are undergraduate institutions that offer a 4-year bachelor’s degree or a 2-year associate’s degree.

On the other hand, a university is a graduate and post-graduate institution with undergraduate, graduate, and postgrduate degree programs, i.e., bachelors, masters, and PhDs.

Universities have a greater focus on research and offer specialized facilities such as labs. Colleges aren’t as concerned with research but may have such facilities nonetheless.

Moreover, many prestigious universities such as Harvard, MIT, and Stanford have separate schools dedicated to professional degrees known as graduate schools.