What Is a Private College and How Does It Differ From a Public College?

Updated

A private college is an independent institution governed by its own board rather than a state system, funded mainly by tuition, donations, and endowment earnings instead of state appropriations. That funding and governance structure drives most of the practical differences—sticker price, class size, admissions approach, and mission—that matter when you choose a school. The distinction is structural, not a quality ranking: strong and weak institutions exist in both categories.

The core difference: who governs and who pays

Dimension Private college Public college
Governance Self-governing board of trustees State or system board, accountable to state government
Primary funding Tuition, gifts, endowment State appropriations plus tuition
Sticker price Usually higher Usually lower, especially for in-state students
Class size and faculty focus Often smaller; teaching-centered Varies widely; large lecture sections more common at big campuses
Admissions Can be more selective or mission-driven Often broader access, with defined pathways for state residents
Mission May carry a religious or values-based identity Public service and statewide access

Neither column is automatically better. A public flagship may offer research depth and lower in-state cost; a private college may offer smaller classes and a defined mission.

How private colleges set tuition—and why sticker price misleads

Private colleges publish a high tuition figure, but most students don't pay it. Institutional aid—merit scholarships and need-based grants—reduces the published price to a net price, which is the number to compare.

The University of Saint Mary (USM), a Catholic university in Leavenworth, Kansas, illustrates this. Its site states that undergraduate academic scholarships range from full tuition down to $12,000, and it directs prospective students to calculate their scholarships. That range is a published institutional figure, not a guarantee for any individual applicant—your award depends on your own application and the school's aid policies.

Two cautions:

  • Don't assume "private" means "unaffordable" or "public" means "cheap." Compare net price, not sticker price.
  • Don't assume aid is automatic. Check each school's scholarship and aid process and deadlines.

Nonprofit vs. for-profit—and why accreditation matters

Private colleges can be nonprofit (like USM, founded by the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth) or for-profit. The distinction affects mission, how revenue is used, and sometimes how credits transfer.

Accreditation is the check that matters most. It determines whether credits and degrees are recognized by other institutions, employers, and aid programs. USM lists accreditations on its site; use that page as a model for what to look for at any school, and verify status with the accrediting body rather than relying on marketing language.

Mission-driven identity: the Catholic college example

Some private colleges carry a religious identity that shapes campus life and curriculum. USM describes itself as a Catholic university and highlights faith, values, and community alongside academics. If a mission-driven environment appeals to you—or if you want to confirm how much it shapes daily life—read the mission and student-life pages and ask admissions specific questions rather than assuming.

Practical steps to evaluate a private college

  1. Calculate net price. Use each school's scholarship calculator and net price calculator, then compare results side by side.
  2. Check program fit. Confirm the specific major or graduate program exists and review its requirements. USM, for instance, emphasizes health care education from nursing to pre-med and DPT to NP—verify the program you want is offered at the level you need.
  3. Verify accreditation for the institution and, where relevant, the specific program.
  4. Look at outcomes. Ask about graduation rates and where graduates go; USM points to its Opportunity University designation as an access-and-outcomes signal, but ask for the underlying data.
  5. Visit or attend an info session to judge class size, culture, and support services firsthand.
  6. Compare aid offers after acceptance, focusing on grants versus loans.

A private college is worth considering when its net price, program strength, and campus culture fit your goals—and worth ruling out when they don't, regardless of prestige.