The Cost of a Private College
and College Life
Karly Barraza Brockett, M.Ed.
Associate Director of Admissions
California Institute of Technology
Types of Universities and Colleges:
Colleges and Universities are like shoes, one size
does not fit all and that includes cost…
• Liberal Arts Colleges
– Private, Residential
• Public Universities
– In State vs. Out of
State Costs
• Private Universities
– Distinct
characteristics
Useful identifiers to help decide
where you want to go…
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Rural vs. Urban
Small vs. Large
Type of Institution
Academic Interests
Extracurricular Interests
Residential vs. Commuter
Distance from Home
*Cost
Types of Private Colleges
• Residential Campus
– Requirement to live on
campus: costs
included
• Liberal Arts Colleges
– Undergraduate study
in liberal arts and
sciences, exposure to
broad curriculum
– Majority residential
requirement
• Religious
– Required religious
services, classes,
community service
• Academic Specific
– Highly focused,
research rich, more
tailored
How to help decide types of colleges…
• Academic Offering
• Research Opportunities
– Are the areas of interest in
studying offered?
– What are the required courses
you take once enrolled?
•
– When will you start taking
courses in your area of
interest?
• Advanced Preparation
– What prerequisites are there
for the school? For the area of
study?
•
– What classes can you start
taking now to prepare?
– What kind of activities can you
do to get exposure in the field
– When can you do research?
– Is it guaranteed?
– Is it paid?
Class Experience
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Who is teaching you?
Student to faculty ratio?
Average class sizes?
Where are students coming
from?
Outcomes
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Graduation rates?
What are graduates doing?
Employment?
Graduate school?
Campus Life
• Residential
Campus
– Living on campus
– Dorms/Resident
Halls
– Greek Life
– Apartment Style
Living
– Student Lounges
– Dining Halls
Clubs, Athletics, Activities
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Political
Social
Special Interests
Athletics
Community
Involvement
• Cultural Groups
Support Resources & Services
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Tutors
Library
Writing Centers
Faculty Access
Counseling
Accommodations
Health Services
Medical Services
Job Placement
Private College Costs
• Private colleges are typically more expensive
than public schools
• No difference in cost if you are in state or out of
state
• Endowments, grant aid, and financial aid can
often discount total student cost and sometimes
private schools can be less expensive than
public schools
FACTOR IN YOUR FINANCIAL AID
AWARD
“I cannot afford a private college.”
False: “You can
afford to attend a
private college!”
• Types of funding:
– Merit Scholarship
• Academic Based
• Special Talent
– Work Study
• College student
friendly
– Financial Aid
• Loans
• CSS Profile
• FAFSA
Types of Merit
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Based on financial circumstances
Based on other student characteristics
Academic talent
Music ability, artistic talent, etc.
Leadership skills
Athletic ability
Age, job (policemen, firemen, etc.)
Other
Helpful Websites
• College Websites
– Virtual tours, bloggers, mailing lists, online
newsletters
• You University!
http://www.youniversitytv.com/
• College Board
http://www.collegeboard.com/
• NACAC
http://www.nacacnet.org/Pages/default.as
px
Questions?