Types of Colleges

Different types of colleges suit different types of people. You should consider every type of college, and from there, decide which one best fits your needs.

• Liberal Arts Colleges — These offer a broad base of courses in the humanities, social sciences and sciences. Most are private and focus mainly on undergraduate students. Classes tend to be small and personal.
• Universities — Universities are bigger than colleges and offer more majors and research facilities.  Class size often reflects the size of the institution and some classes may be taught by graduate students.
• Community or Junior Colleges — These offer a degree after the completion of two years of full-time study. They often offer technical programs.
• Upper-Division Schools — These schools offer the last two years of undergraduate study, usually in specialized programs leading to a bachelor’s degree.
• Agricultural, Technical and Specialized Colleges — Specialized colleges emphasize preparation for specific careers such as art, cosmetology, music, Bible, business, health science and more.
• Public vs. Private — Public colleges are usually less expensive than private ones and get most of their money from the state or local government. Private colleges can be more expensive because they rely on tuition, fees, endowments and other sources of income. However, private colleges can be smaller than public schools and can offer more personalized attention.
• Tribal Colleges — Montana has seven tribal colleges that share the dual mission of reinforcing traditional tribal cultures, and at the same time, address Western models of learning by providing traditional disciplinary courses that are transferable to four-year institutions.