The Types of Colleges That Exist

More than half of all high school graduates in the United States pursue some type of postsecondary education. Because there are so many higher education options, you're bound to find a college well-suited to your needs.

There are two basic types of post-secondary education institutions:

Community, Technical, and Junior Colleges

Many kinds of colleges offer programs that are less than four years in length. Most of these schools offer education and training programs that are two years in length or shorter. The programs often lead to a license, a certificate, an associate of arts (A.A.) degree, an associate of science (A.S.) degree, or an associate of applied science (A.A.S.) degree.

Four-Year Colleges and Universities

These schools usually offer a bachelor of arts (B.A.) or bachelor of science (B.S.) degree. Some also offer graduate and professional degrees.

Community, Technical, and Junior Colleges

Colleges with programs that are less than four years in length are often called community colleges, technical colleges, or junior colleges:

Community Colleges

These are public, two-year colleges. They mostly serve people from nearby communities and offer academic courses, technical courses, and continuing education courses. Public institutions are supported by state and local revenues.

Technical Colleges

These are generally colleges that have a special emphasis on education and training in technical fields. However, although some technical colleges offer academic courses and programs, not all technical colleges offer two-year programs that lead to an associate of arts or science degree. Technical colleges may be private or public. Junior colleges and community colleges that offer many technical courses are often called "technical colleges."

Junior Colleges

These are generally two-year colleges that are private institutions. Some junior colleges are residential and are attended by students who come from other parts of the country.

Some programs at two-year colleges lead to an A.S. or A.A. degree in an academic discipline. These academic programs are often comparable to the first two years of a general academic program offered by a four-year college or university. In many cases, students who earn two-year degrees may enter four-year schools and receive credit toward a B.A. or B.S. degree.

Many junior and community colleges offer technical and occupational training, as well as academic courses. For example, many cardiovascular technicians, medical laboratory technicians, and computer technicians received their education and training at junior colleges, community colleges, or technical colleges.

Many junior, community, and technical colleges offer technical programs in cooperation with local businesses, industry, public service agencies, or other organizations. Some of these programs are formally connected to education programs that students start in high school; they are often referred to as "tech-prep" or "school-to-career" programs. These "school-to-career" or "tech-prep" programs often provide students with an opportunity to learn new skills by working for a local employer and by taking high school courses that link with courses offered at local colleges.

Two-year colleges such as community colleges often operate under an "open admissions" policy that can vary from school to school. At some institutions, "open admissions" means that anyone who has a high school diploma or GED certificate can enroll. At other schools, anyone over 18 years of age can enroll or, in some cases, anyone deemed able to benefit from the programs at the schools can enroll.

Application requirements at colleges with two-year programs and shorter programs may include a high school transcript - a list of all the courses you took and grades earned in four years of high school - and college entrance examination scores as well. Some schools have programs that allow open admissions, while other programs in the same school - particularly in scientific or technical subjects - may have further admission requirements. Because requirements vary widely, it is important to check into schools and programs individually.

Four-Year Colleges and Universities

Students who wish to pursue a general academic program usually choose a four-year college or university. These institutions may be either public or private. Such a program lays the foundation for more advanced studies and professional work. These colleges and universities primarily offer B.A. and B.S. degrees in the arts and sciences. Common fields of study include biology, chemistry, economics, English literature, foreign languages, history, political science, and zoology.

Here are the main differences between four-year colleges and universities:

Four-Year Colleges

These are post-secondary schools that provide four-year educational programs in the arts and sciences. These colleges confer bachelor's degrees.

Universities

These are postsecondary schools that include a college of arts and/or sciences, one or more programs of graduate studies, and one or more professional schools. Universities confer bachelor's degrees and graduate, master's and Ph.D. degrees. Many universities also confer professional degrees, for example, in law or medicine.

When a student earns a bachelor's degree it means that he or she has passed examinations in a broad range of courses and has studied one or two subject areas in greater depth. (These one or two subject areas are called a student's "major" area(s) of study or area(s) of "concentration.") A bachelor's degree is usually required before a student can begin studying for a graduate degree. A graduate degree is usually earned through two or more years of advanced studies beyond four years of college. This might be a master's or a doctoral degree in a particular field or a specialized degree required in certain professions such as law, social work, architecture, or medicine.

What kinds of jobs are available to college graduates?

Certificates and degrees earned by graduates of two-and four-year colleges or universities lead to different kinds of professional opportunities. Many professions require graduate degrees beyond the traditional four-year degree, such as a medical degree or a law degree. For example:

  A course of study in bookkeeping at a community college generally prepares a student for a job as a bookkeeper.

  A four-year degree in economics may prepare a student for any one of several jobs in a bank or a business.

  A four-year degree in English may serve as background for elementary or secondary school teaching or for work as an editor with a magazine.

Below, there is a partial listing of different occupations and the educational background generally required or recommended for each. Some people who go on to acquire jobs in the four-year-college column obtain a graduate degree or some graduate education, but many of these jobs can be filled by people who do not have more than a four-year college education. For more information on the educational requirements of specific jobs, contact a guidance counselor or check the latest copy of the Occupational Outlook Handbook, published by the U.S. Department of Labor, in your library.

Examples of Jobs in Which a College Education May Be Recommended or Required:

Two-Year College (Associate's Degree)

  Administrative Assistant
  Automotive Mechanic
  Cardiovascular Technician
  Commercial Artist
  Computer Technician
  Dental Hygienist
  Drafter
  Engineering Technician
  Funeral Director
  Graphic Designer
  Heating and Refrigeration Technician
  Hotel or Restaurant Manager
  Medical Laboratory Technician
  Medical Record Technician
  Insurance Agent
  Registered Nurse
  Surgical Technologist
  Surveyor
  Visual Artist
  Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator


Four-Year College (Bachelor's Degree)

  Accountant
  Computer Systems Analyst
  Dietitian
  Editor
  Engineer
  FBI Agent
  Investment Banker
  Journalist
  Medical Illustrator
  Pharmacist
  Public Relations Specialist
  Recreational Therapist
  Research Assistant
  Social Worker
  Teacher
  Writer

More Than Four Years of College (Various Graduate Degrees Required)

  Architect
  Biologist
  Chiropractor
  Dentist
  Diplomat
  Doctor
  Economist
  Geologist
  Lawyer
  Librarian
  Management Consultant
  Paleontologist
  Priest
  Psychologist
  Public Policy Analyst
  Rabbi
  Scientist
  Sociologist
  University Professor
  Veterinarian
  Zoologist