We all know the stereotypical “private” and “public” university traits. Private universities tend to have lower student-faculty ratios, higher tuition, more opportunities for scholarships and grants, smaller student populations, and prestigious reputations. On the other hand, public universities are usually characterized by larger student populations, more extensive course catalogs, lower tuition, winning athletic programs, and tons of school spirit. But how well do colleges and universities stay in their classified labels? If the difference between a public and private school is one of the top deciding factors in your college search, consider some of these institutions that seem to cross the boundaries between private and public.
Gonzaga University
Gonzaga University, a private liberal arts school in Spokane, Washington, has an undergraduate population of just over 5,000 and a student-faculty ratio of 12:1. However, it is home to successful Division I sports teams and is cited by many sources (including CollegeXpress and Business Insider) as one of the most spirited schools—characteristics that are generally more typical of public universities and state schools. Similarly, the University of Notre Dame, a private university with a ticket price of almost $70,000, is one of only 15 universities (public and private) in the US to have all its campus sports participate in NCAA Division I.
Purdue University
Purdue University, a public university in West Lafayette, Indiana, has a student population of almost 30,000 undergraduates. Its academic programs, though, are often compared to those of Ivy League schools, whose populations usually range from 5,000 to 20,000. The Wall Street Journal and Times Higher Education have named Purdue one of the top 10 public universities in the United States. While its Division I sports teams and list of over 200 majors seem to fit its categorization as a public university, the prestige that is attached to a degree from Purdue rivals that of a private school, but at a much more affordable tuition price.
Liberty University
Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia, is another private institution that doesn’t stray too far from typical private school traits: it’s a church-affiliated university that’s very selective (only 24% of students are accepted) with a tuition of over $20,000 for both in-state and out-of-state residents, not including room and board. However, it has an outstanding amount of undergraduate (and graduate) students: their total enrollment exceeds 100,000, almost half of which are undergrads! This number exceeds many public school populations, like the University of Texas at Austin, a huge state school with just over 40,000 undergraduate students. Liberty’s big student body equals a student-faculty ratio of 24:1—on the high side for a private school.
William & Mary
William & Mary is a university in Williamsburg, Virginia, and one of the original “Public Ivies” because it has many private university characteristics but is financially supported by the state. Not only does it have a small student population (over 6,000 undergraduates), it also has a 12:1 student-faculty ratio. In addition, admission is extremely selective, with a 36% acceptance rate. Being one of the Public Ivies means it also has a more selective acceptance rate than many other public colleges.
Clemson University
Clemson University is the kind of college where you don’t need to be needy to get financial aid, one of few public schools with the means to do so. Private universities often have more funds available for merit aid and institutional scholarships, which can offset higher tuition costs. State schools and land grant universities like Clemson are usually inundated with in-state residents, but since these schools collect higher tuition and fees from out-of-state students, student bodies at many public colleges are becoming more and more geographically diverse. This kind of diversity in the student body and academic offerings, through eight schools and myriad research opportunities, is what makes these kinds of colleges toe the line of their academic classifications.
Related: Funding Your Future: Financial Aid at Public Colleges
What factors are most important?
Don’t let the label of “private” or “public” solely determine your college decision. Instead, consider each of the following topics, and look for a university that satisfies your preferences. Each college or university will be different, and each will come with its own mix of characteristics.
- Student-faculty ratio: Schools with lower student-faculty ratios typically have smaller student populations. Classes may be smaller, and faculty can therefore take more of a hands-on approach, allowing them to get to know their students better and maybe even stay in touch with them after a semester-long class has ended.
- Academic/extracurricular offerings: Larger public institutions often have the resources and the student populations to offer more extensive and diverse course catalogs, academic programs, and extracurricular activities. This can be helpful if you aren’t sure what you want to major in and want to explore your options—or keep busy after class.
- Sports: The presence of sports teams and school spirit can make for an exhilarating campus experience and build a type of community among fans. This competitive atmosphere is not for everyone, though.
- Tuition/financial aid: Public universities sometimes have different tuition prices for in-state vs. out-of-state students. Private universities tend to be more expensive but usually offer more financial aid, including grants and scholarships that don’t need to be paid back. Be sure to compare your financial aid packages to determine which college may be the best choice for you and your family.
Related: The Most Important Factors for Choosing a College
If you take away anything, let it be this: Each and every college and university is unique. Find the one that is the best fit for you, not just the one that ticks the boxes you think it needs to.
For more advice on figuring out if a public school is right for you, explore our Public Colleges and Universities section!
