Saturday, August 21, 2010

Private vs. Public Colleges

Students and their families struggle every year with the rising cost of college education. Many people ask themselves if it’s worth paying the high cost of private college tuition or if they should attend a public university instead. When looking for answers, you should compare the private and public schools that you are thinking of attending. Some questions to think about: Will I get a better education at the private school? Will the professors in my major of study be more distinguished? Will it be worth going into such great debt to earn this degree? Finding the answers to these questions will help you decide what is right for you.

While many schools (private and public) help students with financial aid, it is no secret that attending a public university in your state will give you many benefits including a break on tuition cost. It’s also a general belief that in-state students are more easily admitted to their state college, than out of state students.

Private colleges rely on tuition, endowment, and donations. They are usually more expensive than public colleges; however, they tend to offer better financial aid packages than public colleges offer.

During the college search, it may be best to focus on general things such as location, size, and extracurricular activities. Engage in the public vs. private debate only after you have narrowed down your choices. Although cost is an important factor in the college decision process, it may be best to look closely at what each college has to offer before making a decision based on the price tag. After investigation, you may find that the perfect university for you is worth the steep price.

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