So you have chosen the United States of America as your study destination. You have your options in front of you and you are confused as to what institution, more specifically what type of institution is the best for you. There are plenty of opportunities and numerous universities and colleges to choose from, however, the one that is ideal for you is hard to determine.  Sounding familiar?  Today, we are deep diving into the types of educational institutions the US offers to streamline the options that foreign students are looking for. 

There are numerous types of institutions based in the USA, which might be the reason that the options seem quite overwhelming. So, let’s get right into the types of Universities and Colleges in the states to make it easier for you. 

Types of Universities

Universities are educational institutions that are often known as post-secondary institutions or post-graduate institutions. The courses they offer usually last up to four years. Each university is generally based upon similar purposes, however, the nature of how they run varies. The goal of quality education stands, but each has its own unique core ideals that stand out and appeal to its specific targeted audience. 

Public Universities

The name itself pretty much defines what a public university is. It is the higher education institutions that are usually funded by the public. These types of universities are also referred to as state universities and are a part of of a state university system. This system is a collective organization of several public universities that operate separately but with some shared management. As the operations are funded by the state, the tuition fees are generally lower. However, the fees vary depending on whether or not the student enrolling is foreign or national. International students are charged higher in comparison. Public universities also enroll more part-time students and those who commute. But if foreign students wish to enroll in these institutions, the fees are higher in comparison to the national students.

Private Universities

Private universities are those institutions that are not funded by the government and do not rely on the taxpayer's funds. These universities account for a high number of enrollments each year, and in comparison to others, these universities are costlier. Private institutions do however rely on donations, endowments, and university fees which amount to their higher education fees. While the fees are higher, these institutions usually offer numerous financial aid and scholarship opportunities. And unlike public universities, the tuition fees remain the same whether the students are foreign or national. Most prestigious universities fall under this category and are also the ones that are on top of the best universities' rankings and lists. 

Research Universities

Research universities can be public or private institutions that are regarded as doctorate-degree granting institutions. These institutions spend millions of dollars each year on research and research-based activities. Contributing greatly to various fields, these universities are focused on quality education as well as top-tier research facilities. In total there are 131 research universities in the USA, which also includes all of the Ivy League universities. 

Ivy League Institutions

These are one of the popular and most renowned American universities that were originally founded as an athletic conference of sports teams that are based in the North-East region of the US. However, the connection between these institutions goes beyond just sports. These institutions are known for their academic excellence admissions selectivity as well as social elitism. The eight Ivy League universities are Harvard University, Princeton Univesity, Yale University, Columbia University, Cornell University, University of Pennsylvania, Brown University, and Dartmouth College.  

We hope that this post helps you get a better perspective on the types of universities in the USA. Understanding your requirements and preference, we hope this blog helped out in choosing the right type of institution. For anything else, connect with us!