Studying at a State University

It was the Northwest Ordinance of 1787 that gave birth to the idea of having state-funded education systems. It was inaugurated with the establishment of Ohio University in 1804 and in the present day, has developed into what we know as a state university.

State universities are funded by the governments of the respective states and are public varsities. They are large state schools that offer undergraduate and graduate programs, doctoral degrees, and often cater to military personnel and government employees. These universities have a single administration but may have several institutions under its ambit - like that of the universities of California and Texas - or, maybe one large entity spread across acres, nearly resembling a township.

It is a known fact that deciding to select the most appropriate institution can be onerous and time-consuming. State universities are best known for their prestigious status, and supreme educational quality, but on the flip side, they are also competitive considering the large number of students they accommodate. This article discusses the various characteristics of state universities alongside private universities in detail.

State University vs Private University

Educational Factors

• State universities are strictly run by state regulations. The syllabus is standardized across all state-run schools and students are taught through collaborative sessions. However, private universities have the scope to design a comparatively flexible and versatile curriculum. This tends to be highly advantageous for students as they are offered courseworks best suited to them. Even then, public universities mostly offer a wider range of majors and concentrations for students to choose from, than those offered in most private universities (if not all).
  
  
• Many state universities house at least ten libraries that hold millions of books, and are known for excellent research opportunities and other educational resources for students. This makes them perfect houses of education where students are allowed to explore, research, and seek knowledge on their own accord. Many private universities do not lack such educational resources, but it is comparatively fewer than public universities.
  
  
• State universities hire scholars of repute to tutor their vast student body. Hence, the fear that state universities may compromise on the quality of education is put to rest. However, state universities educate not a few thousand students, but tens of thousands. Hence, students cannot expect too much individual nurturing from tutors. Therefore, every student needs to motivate himself/herself to learn in-depth about every subject. Given that private institutes have a smaller student body, the student-faculty ratio becomes a bonus for students who prefer a more engaging teaching-learning experience. This way, teachers tend to be more accessible and students who require individual attention may be appropriately taken care of. Forming strong bonds with the faculty also helps when professional recommendations are required for internships.
  
  
• State universities are a blessing for those who wish to work and study. Since most state universities are situated within the urban limits, students can work at nearby places or on-campus and attend college too with little time wasted on commuting. Work-study opportunities are generally more commendable in public universities than private institutions.
  
  
• Based on the quality of education, educational institutions are evaluated and given the status of accreditation. Accreditations can be categorized into three types, namely, national, regional, and programmatic. Regional accreditation is generally highly esteemed, and a majority of public universities have regional accreditation, whereas private institutes are nationally accredited.

Campus Factors

• A state university is typically funded by the state government. At least 90% is publicly funded. Private universities do not function through state funding, but through donations, fundings by philanthropists or sponsors, and evidently, through the fee collected from students.
  
  
• When it comes to size, some state universities are so large that they have at least 40,000 students on campus at a time. With a wide range of student bodies, some running into thousands, these campuses are eternally bustling with activity. Private universities have a comparatively smaller student body. This is often beneficial for students who wish to be in a less crowded environment, and can, thereby, experience greater involvement or form deeper bonds with the faculty or with students within the campus. A smaller classroom size also ensures higher class participation.
  
  
• Being an educational institution administered by the state, a public university does not have any religious affiliation. Private universities, on the other hand, have the liberty to have or not have a religious affiliation. Just like state universities can be established by the state, private institutions can also be established under the authority of a religious congregation. Students who wish to experience a more secular environment may opt for state universities, whereas those students who prefer to belong to an environment where people share similar beliefs and mindsets and establish a sense of oneness may opt for private institutes with such affiliations.
  
  
• With students from across geographies, ethnicity, socio-economic backgrounds, physical challenges, and much more, state university campuses are possibly the perfect place for diverse social interaction and holistic development. Private universities charge the same tuition fee from students without considering the aspect of residency, and thereby, have a decent level of student diversity despite being smaller in number.
  
  
• Loyalty and the fire of student spirit are kept alive in state universities. With large student bodies to be a part of and a horde of activities to choose from - ranging from athletics to debates - students of state universities enjoy a wholesome academic experience along with a plethora of extra-curricular activities. Students have a horde of activity clubs to choose from which will undoubtedly help students to hone existing skills and also develop new skills and interests.

Economic Factors

• The average annual tuition in 2021 for a private institute is around $38,000, whereas, for public universities, the average cost is around $11,000 for in-state students and $28,000 for out-of-state students. In public universities, the fee structure for in-state students is different as compared to that for out-of-state students, which is not the case for private institutions. To know more about the concept of in-state and out-of-state students in the US, read In-State versus Out-of-State Students
  
  
• Being dedicated to the public, a state university offers one of the most affordable education with most students not requiring any financial aid. However, the aspect of affordability is applicable for in-state students only. Non-residents or international students are often required to pay double the amount.
  
  
• State universities earn subsidies from their federal governments, which differs from state to state. Since they offer low tuition fees, most students rarely need funding. However, these universities offer several scholarships for meritorious students and various financial aids for those in need. Scholarships provided by state universities are mostly beneficial for in-state students than out-of-state students. Various private institutions are known for offering a range of scholarship programs and numerous financial incentives for all students regardless of residency status. Read Scholarships for Higher Studies to have a more comprehensive understanding of scholarships in the U.S.

Best Public Universities in the U.S.A.

Based on the academic quality and overall profile of the institution, here are the top 10 public universities in 2021, according to U.S. News:

1. University of California-Los Angeles
2. University of California-Berkeley
3. University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
4. University of Virginia
5. University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill
6. University of California-Santa Barbara
7. University of Florida
8. Georgia Institute of Technology
9. University of California-Irvine
10. University of California-San Diego

When choosing an educational institution, having a strong purpose concerning one's interests, career aspirations, and educational goals is essential. Along with that, it is also important that students keep in mind the various characteristics of a public and private institution- be it expenses, location, residency, scholarship programs, course descriptions, or extra-curricular activities. Therefore, selecting a college or university should be a decision carefully made, and one should check the university websites, consult with high school teachers or career experts, and stay updated about every possible information related to the preferred university.