Liberal Arts College vs. University
“Are you considering a liberal arts college or a four-year university?”
Students may encounter this question in their college admissions and application process and be stumped on how to answer, especially if they aren’t sure what the difference is.
While liberal arts colleges and universities are both places to get a higher education, they offer different experiences, learning styles, and amenities to students.
Recommended: What Is a Liberal Arts College?
Liberal Arts Colleges vs. Universities
Liberal Arts College | University |
---|---|
Liberal Arts College
Focus on well-rounded education
|
University
Focus on research
|
Liberal Arts College
Typically small in enrollment size
|
University
Typically large in enrollment size
|
Liberal Arts College
Emphasis on undergraduate education
|
University
Graduate, Ph.D., and professional education offered
|
Liberal Arts College
More classroom discussion
|
University
Large lecture classes
|
Liberal Arts College
Typically few or no teaching assistants
|
University
Use of teaching assistants
|
Liberal Arts College
Small class sizes
|
University
Big class sizes
|
Liberal Arts College
Less competition to attain leadership positions
|
University
National name recognition
|
Liberal Arts College
More attention with faculty
|
University
Bigger focus on athletics
|
Liberal Arts College
Sometimes described as "mini-high schools" because gossip spreads fast
|
University
More anonymity on campus
|
Admissions Process
While the application processes might not be different from each other, there may be some differences in what students are applying for.
For example, a liberal arts college student may just be admitted to the college itself, while a university student may be admitted to a specific school within the university. Also, because universities may have branch campuses, a student may have to apply to a specific branch (e.g., Penn State Altoona versus Penn State University Park).
Top Liberal Arts Colleges
This is a look at the top 10 liberal arts colleges based on Niche’s Best Liberal Arts Colleges ranking.
Rank | College Name | Niche Grade | Size | Best Overall Ranking |
---|---|---|---|---|
Rank
1
|
College Name
Bowdoin College
|
Niche Grade
A+
|
Size
1,794
|
Best Overall Ranking
#9
|
Rank
2
|
College Name
Pomona College
|
Niche Grade
A+
|
Size
1,651
|
Best Overall Ranking
#18
|
Rank
3
|
College Name
Carleton College
|
Niche Grade
A+
|
Size
1,997
|
Best Overall Ranking
#25
|
Rank
4
|
College Name
Harvey Mudd College
|
Niche Grade
A+
|
Size
815
|
Best Overall Ranking
#26
|
Rank
5
|
College Name
Middlebury College
|
Niche Grade
A+
|
Size
2,516
|
Best Overall Ranking
#28
|
Rank
6
|
College Name
Washington & Lee University
|
Niche Grade
A+
|
Size
1,851
|
Best Overall Ranking
#30
|
Rank
7
|
College Name
Swarthmore College
|
Niche Grade
A+
|
Size
1,571
|
Best Overall Ranking
#31
|
Rank
8
|
College Name
Barnard College
|
Niche Grade
A+
|
Size
2,511
|
Best Overall Ranking
#33
|
Rank
9
|
College Name
Claremont McKenna College
|
Niche Grade
A+
|
Size
1,327
|
Best Overall Ranking
#34
|
Rank
10
|
College Name
Haverford College
|
Niche Grade
A+
|
Size
1,233
|
Best Overall Ranking
#38
|
Liberal Arts Majors vs. University Majors
The main difference between liberal arts college majors and university majors is that liberal arts schools generally offer one expansive area of study, whereas at universities, the same major may be broken into two or more degree tracks.
For example, someone at the University of Pennsylvania majoring in engineering has options. He or she can either major in engineering through bachelor of science program or do a dual degree in engineering through the bachelor of science and bachelor of arts programs. The dual degree program would involve the study of engineering through the School of Engineering & Applied Science and the School of Arts & Sciences, which would include different course focuses, with SEAS geared more toward research and SAS more toward theory and principle. This is a good example of how universities cover more specific topics related to a major.
But at a liberal arts college like Amherst College, which doesn’t offer an engineering major, students can still become engineers through majors related to the study, like sciences, mathematics, and statistics, or even through graduate school following Amherst. When it comes to liberal arts and engineering, students have an expansive range of what they can study. They can major in mathematics and still end up in an engineering career. It doesn’t mean that liberal arts colleges have lesser-developed classes or curriculum in these areas; it just means that they offer broader areas of study, sometimes incorporating aspects students don’t gain from more focused classes.
The Bottom Line
There are a lot of things to consider when it comes to choosing liberal arts college vs. university or vice versa. If students are torn between the two, they should visit the campuses and sit in on classes to get a feel of what they feel comfortable with. Sometimes experiencing a slice of campus life is the only way to know what you want.
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