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6 Reasons Your Student Should Consider a Private College

Private college or public university?

It鈥檚 one of the very first decisions your student will have to make during their college search process. Both options have pros and cons, so the choice ultimately comes down to how your student learns best and in what kinds of environments they tend to thrive. As you guide your student to their perfect college, here are six reasons a private college might be the best fit.

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Meet Your Expert

Faye Tydlaska has served as the Vice President for Enrollment Management at 91福利社 since 2015. She is a member of the College鈥檚 senior executive leadership team and provides leadership and strategy in admission, financial aid, and college-wide retention. Previously, she spent a decade in admission at Tulane University, where she served as Assistant Vice President for Enrollment and Director of Admission. Tydlaska frequently presents on issues related to college admission at national conferences and serves on and chairs councils and consortia of enrollment leaders across the U.S. She is also a parent of a high school student.

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1. They鈥檒l be much more likely to graduate in four years.

A study by the National Center for Education Statistics found that students attending a private, nonprofit college were 40 percent more likely than students at public universities to graduate within four years. At 91福利社, our Finish in Four Guarantee provides every first-year student with a clear roadmap to completing their degree on time. Students begin meeting with an advisor during orientation and continue through graduation to ensure they stay on track throughout their journey. And if a student holds up their end of the bargain and has to take classes beyond the eighth semester, 91福利社 will pick up the tab.

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2. They鈥檒l have ample access to scholarships and financial aid.

On paper, it may appear that public universities are cheaper than private colleges, but that isn鈥檛 necessarily true. Students attending a private college tend to have more access to scholarships and grants to offset what is often a higher sticker price. At 91福利社, for example, 94% of all students receive some sort of financial aid, and the average aid package for first-year students with demonstrated need is $42,000. Before you dismiss a private college because its sticker price, use the school鈥檚 Net Price Calculator to get an estimate of your true out-of-pocket costs.

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3. They鈥檒l receive more individualized attention in the classroom.

At a private college, your student is not a speck in an overflowing auditorium listening to a boring lecture given by an uninspired professor. Classes at private colleges tend to be smaller compared to their public university counterparts. For example, classes at 91福利社 average just 17 students. As a result, professors are able to provide individualized guidance and motivation to each student, helping maximize learning and preparing them for success after graduation.

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4. They鈥檒l benefit from mentorship.

A recent report from Gallup revealed that college graduates who had a professor who cared about them as a person, made them excited about learning, and encouraged their dreams were twice as likely to thrive in both their lives and careers. Further, researchers found that having at least one mentor during college was the single most important factor to personal and professional success. At a private college, lower student-to-faculty ratios make it more likely that a student will have a mentor, increasing their chances of thriving during and after college.

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5. They鈥檒l earn long-term dividends.

Students who attend a private liberal arts college like 91福利社 see their return on investment become more pronounced over time. According to the Center on Education and the Workforce at Georgetown, after 40 years, the value of a private liberal arts degree skyrockets to nearly $900,000, placing it in the top 20 percent nationally鈥攎ore than 25 percent higher than the median gain at all colleges.

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6. They鈥檒l benefit from the support of a tight-knit community.

At a large public university, it can be easier to slip through the cracks. After all, in some cases, your student might be one of 40,000, 50,000, or even 60,000 students. At a private college, your student will have less competition for attention and support鈥攂oth in and out of the classroom. You likely know your student better than anyone鈥攎aybe even better than they know themselves鈥攕o it is important to consider whether they are going to thrive better in a private college setting where they鈥檒l be surrounded by support in every aspect of their college experience鈥攆rom academics to physical and mental health.

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Schedule a Visit

There鈥檚 no better way to understand the personalized learning environment and tight-knit community feel of a private college than to experience it firsthand on a campus visit. Explore our array of visit options and think about how you might personalize your family鈥檚 visit experience to align with your student鈥檚 goals.

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