Responses
Running head: PUBLIC VS. PRIVATE UNIVERSITIES 2
PUBLIC VS. PRIVATE UNIVERSITIES 2
Public vs. Private Universities
Student’s Name
Institutional Affiliation
The United States has a wide variety of institutions that can provide higher education. One of the most common questions asked by students seeking higher education is the differences between private and public universities. Private and public universities differ in their policies, programs, practices, and accreditation process. The first aspect in which the two differ is in accreditation. Accreditation is the school’s stamp of approval. Most public universities are regionally accredited, whereas private universities are nationally accredited. For instance, the Council of Higher Education (CHEA) grants power to associations that oversee accreditation at the regional level. Regional accreditation is the highest form of accreditation. This implies that most private universities have lower standards of accreditation.
Another difference lies in the programs offered by public and private colleges. Private universities offer students the ability to customize their areas of study with targeted programs and curricula. The quality of education is higher and more prestigious in a private university (Enders & Jongbloed, 2007). The downside is that private universities offer a narrow range of degree programs. On the other hand, public universities have a wider variety of major degree courses to choose from.
Private universities are famous for their rigorous academic programs and their emphasis on learning more than following the curriculum itself. These universities set their own goals and policies, and are privately funded. Public universities are funded by the government. Due to the abundance of government funding, these universities are usually equipped with virtually endless resources and research facilities. Due to the large size of classes, it can be difficult to stand out from the student population. However, for those willing to stretch their potential, public universities have some of the best opportunities for intense academic research, particularly in hard sciences. Private universities, although having fewer resources and facilities, make up for these deficits with easy access to instructors and more individualized learning.
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