When trying to decide which college or university you wish to attend, you may become a bit confused about public schools versus private schools. After all, there are plenty of both types of schools to select from, so how are you to decide which school is right for you? The reality is that there are no hard-fast rules regarding public schools and private schools. As such, you should not restrict your search to just one or the other. Still, it is good to know a few of the basics of each and what you are likely to encounter as you look into each type of school.

The Cost Factor

In general, private schools are considered to be more expensive than public schools. This is because public schools are supported through state funding. In addition, if you are a resident of the state where the school is located, you will generally qualify to receive discounted rates. Private institutions, on the other hand, are supported through tuition, endowments and donations that are given by alumni and friends.

Just because private schools have a reputation for being more costly than public schools, it doesn’t mean you should bypass these schools solely based on cost. First of all, there are some private schools that are actually less costly to attend than public schools. Furthermore, private schools tend to be quite generous in terms of financial aid. Therefore, if you have found a private school that seems to meet your needs, don’t mark it off your list simply because of tuition costs. Explore your options further in order to see if the assistance is available to make attending that college affordable.

Class Sizes

Traditionally, private schools have been viewed as a good option for those who are looking for smaller classes and more personalized attention, but it is a mistake to automatically assume that this is what you will get when attending a private school. Similarly, it is a mistake to assume that a public college will have classes that are overcrowded.

As universities look to deal with budget troubles, many private universities are finding themselves forced to increase their class sizes in order to keep the cost of tuition reasonable. Public universities, on the other hand, may be able to keep their class sizes lower depending upon the amount of funding they receive from the state. This is particularly true with the smaller satellite campuses, which tend to offer more personalized attention than the flagship state institutions.

The bottom line is that class sizes will vary from one institution to the next, whether it is a public college or a private university. Furthermore, class sizes can vary greatly depending upon your area of study, so be sure to find out more about class sizes with any public or private school that offers your degree of choice.

Religious Affiliation

If you want religion to be a cornerstone of your studies, you may be thinking a private institution is right for you. After all, many private universities were founded upon a specific religion and some even require students to attend church or to take certain classes that are related to a particular religion. You shouldn’t assume that religion plays a large role with a private university, however, even if it was founded upon your religion of choice. The reality is that many private institutions have scaled back on their emphasis upon religion in order to attract a broader range of students. This is not to stay that religious studies and church activities won’t be available, but the school may not place the emphasis on religion that you are after.

Simply put, you should never rule out all public universities or all private universities when sorting through your college options. Rather, seek out those schools that offer the area of study you are interested in pursuing and then learn more about what each has to offer. Then, be sure to visit the campuses of a few colleges and you will be sure to find the one that “feels right” to you