What is the difference between College and University in the United States

Higher education in the United States can be obtained in colleges and universities, but the difference between these schools is not always clear. This often raises questions not only foreign students, but even from the Americans themselves. Understand the difference between these schools.

What is called "College" in the United States

Colleges in the United States as a wide range of educational institutions that teach:

• Program high school - in this case, the College is synonymous with “high school” and Russian analogue of high school.
• Program professional level Associate Degrees; some of them are counted as first two years of the bachelor - in this case, the school will be called “community college” and be a rough analogue of the Russian vocational school, College or technical school.
• Undergraduate degree programs - in this case College - a rough analogue of the Russian Institute. Higher education colleges can join the universities of the USA , or be an independent institution.
• In very rare cases, in colleges of higher education teach graduate programs in the United States.

What is called the "University" in the United States

“Universities” in the United States are called educational institutions that offer graduate programs and the graduate school. Universities usually are composed of several units that can carry the names of schools, colleges, at least - institutions.

Also the University comprises one or more of the first colleges of higher education teaching programme of the bachelor in the US. For instance, Harvard University has 12 schools, Harvard College, the Institute for advanced study the Radcliffe.

University in the United States is different from College because in this wider choice of subjects and specialties and learn more students.

In addition to the names "College" and "University" in relation to educational institutions often use the word "school", "Institute", and it also sounds a bit unusual for students from Russia and the CIS.

In which case, the universities in the United States called "school"

“School” in the U.S. can call any school - not just elementary and secondary schools, but also courses, institutes, colleges and universities. In Russia, the word “school” is also sometimes used in relation to universities - sometimes referred to as “high school”.

So called "Institute" in the United States

Institutions in the United States called educational institutions have the right not to award diplomas of higher education but only vocational certificates, certificates of qualification, etc. However, sometimes you can find the word “Institute” in the names of University departments engaged in advanced education and research - for example, Harvard Institute for advanced study the Radcliffe.

In General, the word “University” or “College” in the name of the educational institution, does not affect the cost of education nor to the content or quality of programmes. Most Americans use the concept of “University” and “College” interchangeably.

How to choose a University in the United States