Andrew Rich


What is the difference between a liberal arts school and other schools or universities?

Elizabeth, 17, Mentor, OH,
A The words college or university are used very loosely to describe almost any school that you can attend after high school, but the truth is that there are actually some very distinct differences between the types of post-secondary schools that are out there.

Universities are institutions of higher learning that consist of graduate schools, professional schools (medicine, law, business, etc.), and an undergraduate program. A university awards both graduate (masters and doctorates) and undergraduate degrees (bachelors of arts and sciences) and has a tendency to be larger and more research-oriented.

Colleges are usually smaller in enrollment than a university and the emphasis is placed on undergraduate education. Liberal arts colleges offer a more traditional and general education in subjects such as literature, history, mathematics, natural science, social science, language, art, and music. Colleges that don't refer to themselves as "liberal arts" will offer a broader-based curriculum with specialized programs or majors that correlate with specific careers such as journalism, marketing, business, or nursing.

Art and design schools offer two- or four-year degrees in the areas of drawing, music, performance, fashion, dance, theater, architecture, photography, and more. These schools offer very specialized courses of study and often require an additional audition or portfolio in order to be considered for admission.

Community or technical colleges offer two-year programs at a lower cost with the possibility of transferring those credits toward a four-year degree at a university or liberal arts college or immediately entering the workforce with practical training in fields like health or technology.

Vocational or trade schools offer hands-on training and certification in a particular field or occupation such as automotive services, cosmetology, culinary arts, or information technology. The programs can last anywhere from several weeks to a few years.

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