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State vs. Private College

W

wviperw

Senior member
So are state colleges really any better than small private colleges? I've always thought they were, but I've recently been hearing that you get a better education at a small school because it's more personal, you're not taught by TA's, more companies hire private undergrads, etc. I've always wanted to go to a large school because I've thought that I would have better opportunities there and more class options. Is this true?

(I'm pursuing a CompSci undergrad btw)
 
For the most part no matter where you go (assuming your major is there of course):
1) you'll take the same core classes that are relavant to your major
2) you'll use the same textbooks,
3) you'll cover the same materials,
4) you'll be requested to learn about the same amount of stuff.

Of course the one with the most variance is #4, some professors care about students while others don't (and the type of school has no real impact on this you get good and bad professors everywhere). So it all boils down to the student. If you put in a lot of effort you'll learn a lot at any school you go to. If you slack off you'll learn nearly nothing - no matter which school you go to. A person who works his/her butt off at a local community college will learn a whole lot more than a lazy student at even the "top" school.

Note: in my personal experience the best teachers are those who don't have a permanent job yet - ie they don't have tenure. That means they are still under strict control of their department and everything they do is monitored. Thus often you learn the most by TAs. I've only had 3 courses taught by a TA in 9 years of college (state university, and don't raz me on the 9 years - I'm almost finished with my PhD) but those were the best taught courses I've ever had.
 
Another thing to consider is tuition costs. Generally state schools are quite a bit cheaper than private colleges due to the much larger enrollment and such. The state universities around here, in KY, are a lot cheaper. EKU(Eastern Kentucky University) is around 8 or 9k per year and I think that includes the dorms. The small college I went to, Cumberland College, is now about 15k per year. So, that's a very significant money difference! The only other thing to consider that hasn't been mentioned so far is scholarship money. It is much more plentiful at private college than at state universities. Scholarships at state universities can be a cut-throat business. It is much more laid back and your chances for getting scholarships are greater at smaller colleges. At least that's how it seems to be, in my opinion. 🙂 Good luck with your choice!

jc
 
I went to a state school, have $0 in debt, have a nice job, and get paid well.

I have a friend who went to a private school, has about $50k+ in debt, and works shoveling poo 3 days a week in a barn.

And there you have it.
 
Been to both. Overall, I prefered the public one cuz it just had way more to offer. Of course, it depends on what particular schools you have in mind.
 
Depends on which public and private schools you're talking about. The top schools are usually private, but some state schools are still very good and better than other private schools. You just can't simply lump them into private and public.

Comparing Tulane with Alabama A&M? Of course Tulane is better. Comparing Tulane with UC-Berkeley? I'd think Berkeley is better (in a general sense).
 
well, whatever job/career i chose after im done with college and grad school etc, i know ill be working for a long time, partly becuase of our national debt. i'm really quite concerned with the job market when i finish with schooling; many things are getting outsourced, and jobs right now are going up, but also down.

btw, im studying mechanical engineering right now.
 
Originally posted by: Lager
Do you think it is a bad idea to go to a private college for undergrad? Such as Boston University?
Click to expand...

I think going to a private college for undergrad is a good idea, depending on where you're going. Whether BU is worth it is something you'll have to decide. I heard that they do give out a lot of money though.

Don't necessarily believe that private universities will cost more than public ones. It was cheaper for me to go to an expensive private school than going to an out of state public school. They have a lot of money to give.
 
Originally posted by: CanOWorms
Depends on which public and private schools you're talking about. The top schools are usually private, but some state schools are still very good and better than other private schools. You just can't simply lump them into private and public.

Comparing Tulane with Alabama A&M? Of course Tulane is better. Comparing Tulane with UC-Berkeley? I'd think Berkeley is better (in a general sense).
Click to expand...

That would be my assessment. Also, keep in mind that the out of state tuition of many state schools is on the level of private institution. Personally, in terms of cost, I would basically put out of state public schools in the same group as private ones for that reason.
 
Originally posted by: LordJezo
I went to a state school, have $0 in debt, have a nice job, and get paid well.

I have a friend who went to a private school, has about $50k+ in debt, and works shoveling poo 3 days a week in a barn.

And there you have it.
Click to expand...
I went to a private school, have $0 in debt, have a nice job, get paid well, and don't live in New Jersey.

And there you have it.

EDIT: Yay for the Tulane reference (my school)! I'd prefer Tulane over any UC, but that's mainly because you couldn't pay me to go to school in California.
 
anyone who claims that you can't get personal instruction at a large state school has never been to one. professors are bored out of their minds during office hours
 
The differences are pretty drastic if you ask me,

Having gone to a state school I can say the classes are much much larger than private schools and you get virtually no personal attention, most of your discussion sections which are smaller will be taught/moderated by student teaching assistants...in state students get discounts but if you are out of state you generally pay alot more, personally I only think it is worth it if you are going to a school in your state and can take advantage of the price savings, if you are planning on another states school you would be better off putting the money to private....

with private you pay alot more but you get more personalized attention, better resedencies, better food, generally better campus....

I went to small private schools all my life and wanted to go somewhere big for college, from a social standpoint it was fantastic, from an education standpoint it could have been better, or rather I could have been better as I was used to personal attention and having others manage my time, with the state school they don't care about you as an individual so you have to watch out for yourself and make sure you do everything.

the good is that I have zero debt and it was far cheaper than others I know.

With BU specifically, while it is private it is also rather large....I have known many who do very well there and others who failed out...it is also in an ideal party location so it is easy to get sucked into the club crowd being right near lansdowne street....

good luck
 
Originally posted by: ElFenix
anyone who claims that you can't get personal instruction at a large state school has never been to one. professors are bored out of their minds during office hours
Click to expand...

it isn't that you cannot get it, it is just that they don't notice or care if you slack whereas private schools have lower class volume and the teachers will know and will generally reprimand you or at least mention something.

also having discussion is difficult in lower level classes as they are so huge...all of the 100 level courses I took were in auditoriums, very hard to get into and no one was encouraged to ask questions.

also with private schools you might have less choices in courses but getting into classes is much easier than state especially popular classes.
 
Originally posted by: Lager
Do you think it is a bad idea to go to a private college for undergrad? Such as Boston University?
Click to expand...

If they don't give you any money, then going to BU is definitely not worth it for an undergraduate education, IMO.
 
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