Private vs. Public Universities
The differences between each — and how to choose the school with your dream college experience.
The big question:
Which college will you thrive at?
Choosing between a private and public university is a big decision. Both options can offer a quality college education, but your day-to-day experiences and real-life outcomes may vary widely. Let's explore the distinctions to help you determine which path will help you succeed.
In This Guide:
Key Differences of Private vs. Public Universities
Extra Perks of Private Universities
How to make your decision
Size of the university — and your classes
While size can vary at every institution, public universities are built to serve the
masses and can enroll up to hundreds of students within a single undergraduate course.
The smaller size of most private universities usually creates a more distinctive environment,
where you can grow confidently as a big fish in a small pond.
Private: Small and intimate
- Small classes and active roles: Private universities are known for small class sizes — some have a student-to-teacher ratio as low as 3:1. This gives each student a voice to contribute in the learning environment.
- Professors focus on teaching: Generally, most private universities set up their faculty to be teaching-oriented. This differs from most public universities, where faculty are incentivized to be research-oriented.
- Graduate school preparation seminars: Classes often have a seminar format similar to graduate school. Extra facetime with faculty through specialized programs (e.g., for honors students, pre-medical students, future K-12 teachers, etc.) can also give you a jump start in furthering your education.
Public: Large and crowded
- Big lecture halls: Public universities provide education at a large scale, which means undergraduate courses can pack hundreds of students into lecture halls. This may feel like you are "just a number."
- Passive environment: Sprawling campuses and big classes can feel impersonal, positioning you as a passive absorber of information from research faculty, rather than an active and engaged participant.
- Enrollment issues may delay graduation: Because courses can be overcrowded and difficult to enroll in, your graduation may get delayed. It can be hard to get support with navigating the complex system, and the bureaucratic hoops to jump through may unexpectedly cost you thousands $ extra.
Students take their seats inside of a large lecture hall at public university.
Estimated college student enrollment in 2025*
*Source: College enrollment by Statista
in PUBLIC institutions
in PRIVATE institutions
Cost and financial aid
Public and private universities take different approaches to financing your college
degree. At public institutions, basic access to higher education is funded as a public
service by state budgets, whereas private institutions rely on grants and donations
to offer high quality experiences.
Private: Strong grant aid and scholarship donors
Some financial aid packages include grants that make the net cost comparable to public universities. Be sure to account for expected grant aid when calculating your net costs of attending a private university.
To see an example of financial aid at private universities, check out Public Price Promise and What will I pay? at Cal Lutheran.
Public: State-based financial aid varies
State-based financial aid is available but can be vulnerable to fluctations in the state budget. It's wise to keep an eye on the current political landscape to assess policy changes that may impact student aid.
If you want to go to an out-of-state public university, tuition costs are typically much higher than in-state tuition costs, so plan ahead.
Did you know?
After accounting for grant aid, the average net price of attending a private, nonprofit four-year institution is less than half of its average tuition and fees.
*Source: Trends in College Pricing annual report by College Board.
Campus experience
Attending a public university can often be likened to living in the middle of a big
city — it never sleeps, and there is always something to do. Private universities
typically allocate more resources toward individual attention and support, helping
you find your own unique path to success.
Students relaxing in between classes at Kingsmen Park on the Cal Lutheran campus.
Private: Personally focused
- Close-knit community: Smaller student bodies foster strong relationships with opportunity to create lifelong connections.
- Boutique experience: Private universities can offer particularly strong programs, services, or facilities, especially when backed by a generous donor with a state-of-the-art vision. College athletics have a niche presence on private campuses too, often at the NCAA Division III level and sometimes at the Division I level (about one third of Division I schools are private).
- Individual attention from faculty and staff: It's easy to get help from professors during office hours and create bonds that can lead to letters of recommendation in your future. Student services offer enhanced support.
Public: Steadily bustling
- Large-scale social scene: Because of the diverse volume of student interests, you can expect a wide range of clubs, events and cultural activities.
- College athletics: The majority of universities that participate in NCAA Division I athletics are public universities, which typically contributes to a campus vibe of sports and competition.
- Potential of limited personal connections: The hustle and bustle of campus can make you feel like a "cog in a wheel" in a factory of education. At times, the system makes it too easy to blend in anonymously and lose the personal value of college education.
I wanted to go to Cal Lutheran because of the individualized relationships that I could form with my professors and faculty in such a small setting. The doors that my professors, and members of the administration have opened for me have been beyond even my wildest dreams.
Elsa Klubberud '25
California Lutheran University
Support for graduating on time
Nothing hurts your college savings fund more than the unnecessary tuition costs from
a late graduation. Private universities understand the value of this by offering additional
support for managing your progress.
Personalized academic support: Private universities often provide individualized advisors to help you stay on track, and faculty members are able to proactively monitor your progress. Additional services are usually enhanced, such as centers for tutoring, writing, and math — to help you level up in key college skills.
Structured planning and progress: With efficient course sequencing and academic planning, private universities minimize scheduling delays. They prioritize student retention, focusing on your progress toward graduation. Some even offer accelerated programs for highly motivated students to complete a degree in under four years.
Debt accumulated after 8 years*
4 years of college
6 years of College
*Estimates based on national averages for college debt, starting salary, yearly raises,
and $8,893 of college debt for each additional year, as estimated by College Complete
America.
Cal Lutheran's 4 to Finish Guarantee helps students graduate in four years, saving time and money. If you meet the requirements and can't finish in four years, we'll cover the cost of your remaining required courses.
Remember: Graduating late can add thousands of dollars to your college costs. It's best to pick a university that helps you graduate on time.
Access to internship and leadership opportunities
Private universities typically develop close relationships with local employers, offer an exceptional level of access to career services, and leverage their highly engaged alumni networks to help you get connected.
Internships
- Strong alumni networks: Private universities place extra emphasis on leveraging alumni connections for prime internship placements.
- Personalized career support: Easy-to-access advising, exclusive job boards, and special career fairs help you secure competitive roles.
- Exclusive partnerships: Collaborations with businesses and non-profits create unique internship pathways.
Leadership and research
- Faculty mentorship: Smaller classes and close faculty relationships foster leadership development.
- Undergraduate research support: Dedicated resources fund research projects and access to facilities.
- Increased leadership roles: You can have more opportunities to lead clubs and organizations, due to the smaller community to thrive within.
Career Development Programs at Cal Lutheran
Students who graduate from Cal Lutheran get access to free Career Services for life
Non-Profit Internship Program
Offers students the opportunity to work with a non-profit organization or community service department to develop career skills and community connections.
Mentorship Program
Connects students with seasoned professionals to provide career guidance and support, along with structured workshops for professional success.
Leadership Forum
Brings local business and community leaders together with ambitious students for networking, mentorship and growth opportunities.
Overall: Private universities are geared toward giving you extra help with landing a number of exciting opportunities, whereas you may have to "fend for yourself" to land decent opportunities at public universities.
Specialized majors and programs
Private universities may offer undergraduate majors in interdisciplinary fields with
special seminars or honors programs. At public universities, these opportunities usually
aren't available until graduate school.
Because of their personalized approach to higher education, private universities have a unique ability to blend diverse fields together. Although they also offer many of the common majors found at public universities, private universities are known for appealing to niche interests and emerging fields that larger institutions may overlook. These majors draw on the expertise of faculty from various departments, creating a collaborative and innovative learning environment for you to thrive within as a learner.
Private universities also establish endowment-funded centers and institutes that support unique majors. Donor support often enables the development of state-of-the-art labs and research opportunities, as well as seminars and honors programs for targeted groups of students.
Examples of unique majors at private universities:
Citrus and Horticultural Science, Florida Southern College
Costume Technology, DePaul University
Egyptology, Brown University
Interdisciplinary, California Lutheran University
Viticulture and Enology, Cornell University
Main idea: If you have a unique interest but don't want to wait until graduate school to pursue it, consider options at private universities.
Define your priorities
Before you begin researching the differences among various universities, it is important
that you take time to define your priorities. If you identify what matters most in
your personal reasons for attending college, you can narrow your focus and evaluate
potential options more effectively.
Key questions to consider:
- What are you hoping to gain from your college experience?
- Are you seeking a specific academic program, research opportunities, or a particular type of learning environment?
- Do you learn better in small class sizes and close interaction with professors, or are you more comfortable in larger lecture halls? Consider your social preferences as well.
- Are you looking for a close-knit community or a more bustling campus environment?
- Which academic support services help you perform best?
Investigate and explore
Make sure to thoroughly research each university that interests you. Don't just focus on rankings — delve into the specifics of each institution by considering factors like campus culture, student-to-faculty ratio, alumni network, and the availability of programs aligned with your academic goals.
- For public universities: Explore different state systems and their varying tuition structures for in-state and out-of-state students.
- For private universities: Investigate their financial aid packages and scholarship opportunities, as these can significantly impact affordability.
Make an in-person visit — it's worth it!
The best way to truly understand the difference between different universities is to visit each campus. Attend information sessions, take a tour, and talk to current students and faculty.
- Do you feel comfortable and welcomed?
- Can you envision yourself thriving in this setting?
- Are you drawn to a large, bustling public university or a smaller, more intimate private college?
Move forward with confidence
Even if your college options still seem unclear, you will eventually need to make
a decision. Keep these important principles in mind to help you take the step forward.
Focus on your top few priorities
The research and reflection you've done will inform your decision about which university is best for you, but it can be easy to overthink in the process. Hone in on the top 2-3 things that matter to you most in choosing between a public or private university.
Remember that no decision is perfect
College is an impactful time in your life, but it will also have its unforeseen challenges. Most students go on to discover many opportunities in college that they couldn't see in advance, so it is best to embrace the unknowns of a new journey.
Trust your gut — but challenge yourself to go beyond your comfort zone
If you've gone through your top priorities and still can't decide which university to attend, consider which one "feels" right to you. Just make sure to also push yourself — college is a time to broaden your horizons and grow into the future person you want to become.
Level-up your learning
Cal Lutheran encourages students to ask difficult questions. We want you to make your own decisions, to tackle the fundamental issues with courage.
Through this process, we believe you will gain confidence in your identity and discovering purpose in your life and calling.
Find out more about our approach
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