Education in the United States: Useful Information->U.S. System of Higher Education #0

Types of Universities

Universities are either public or private. Institutions of high quality are found equally among public and private universities; the principal difference is one of funding. Public institutions are funded partially by the government of the state in which the institution is located (for example, Texas or Florida), and partially by student tuition payments and private donations. Since public institutions are supported by state government, they give preference in enrollment and tuition charges to students from that state. The total cost, however, is usually lower at most state institutions than at private institutions, even for those who are not residents of the state. International students will pay out of state tuition fees.

State universities fall into two general categories:

Research Universities

Most states have at least one public university designed to provide the traditional variety of educational opportunities in academic fields, These universities, in addition to offering undergraduate education, stress research as well as teaching. As a general rule, they are less likely at the graduate level to place emphasis on applied study and research and more likely to place emphasis on theoretical, or "pure" research.

Land Grant and Sea Grant Universities

In 1862 Congress passed the Morrill Act that provided a grant of land to many of the states to establish a "land grant" university. These universities, in addition to providing a broad general education in many fields, emphasize the application of knowledge in such fields as agriculture and engineering.

The name of a land grant university often reflects this emphasis. Look for "Agricultural and Mechanical University" or "Technological University" to designate a university that stresses applied knowledge. Other states call this type of university a "state" university. More recently some state universities have been designated as "sea grant" universities, to emphasize the importance of marine applications.

Useful Information: U.S. System of Higher Education