Do you know the difference between a liberal arts college and a research university?
Here we’ll compare and contrast two categories of American colleges: the liberal arts college and research university. Below, we’ll examine the key differences between them, trace the history of liberal arts education in the US, and finally discuss how to decide which one would be a better fit for you.
But first, a brief definition of both types of schools.
A liberal arts college is a four-year undergraduate institution that emphasizes a well-rounded education as opposed to a career-focused education. Students develop core skills through a broad curriculum covering the humanities, social sciences, physical sciences and the arts. Most liberal arts colleges are private and independent, with a focus on undergraduate education. Class sizes range from the 12 to 30 students. The student body tends to be small, 700 to 2500 students, most of them residing on campus.
A research university, whether private or public, aims to generate research and produce graduate students. Schools like Harvard, UC Berkeley, MIT, and the University of Chicago attract professors who are top experts in their fields of study. Most research universities house multiple colleges on the main campus, and these institutions tend to offer a wide range of academic and professional programs.
Liberal Arts College vs. University: 10 Key Differences
Liberal arts college | University |
Focus on well-rounded education | Focus on research |
Typically small in enrollment size | Typically large in enrollment size |
Only undergraduate education | Graduate, Ph.D., and professional education offered |
More classroom discussion | Large lecture classes |
Typically few or no teaching assistants | Use of teaching assistants |
Small class sizes | Big class sizes |
Narrow curriculum | Very broad curriculum |
More attention with faculty | Bigger focus on athletics |
Close-knit community | More anonymity on campus |
Critical Thinking | Pre-professional training |
History of Liberal Arts Education in the West
Now, let's pause for a minute and think about the meaning of “liberal arts.”
Liberal arts education stems from a long history of academic tradition in the West. During the ancient Greek and Roman times, liberal arts was considered essential education for a free individual (not a slave) active in society. This means one should be able to participate in public debate, defend oneself and serve in court and on juries, and perform military service. At this time, liberal arts covered only three subjects: grammar, rhetoric and logic. This was extended in medieval times in Europe to include four further subjects: arithmetic, geometry, music and astronomy. All together, there were seven liberal arts subjects in the medieval liberal arts curriculum.
When European colonists came to America, they also brought with them this system of elite education. The Ivy League schools like Harvard and Yale, as well as many top liberal arts colleges like Amherst and Williams, all follow the traditions of a liberal arts education rather than a professionally-oriented curriculum. Once reserved for children of the privileged, these top schools are now open to students from all over the world.
The aim of a liberal arts education was to produce a person who was virtuous and ethical, informed in many fields and highly articulate. Today, although colleges have upgraded to a larger range of subjects, the core aims of the liberal arts curriculum still retain similarities to those of medieval universities: to develop well-rounded individuals with general knowledge of a wide range of subjects and with mastery critical thinking skills. They will become ‘global citizens’, with the capacity to pursue lifelong learning and become valuable members of their communities.
Picking the Right Kind of School for You
How do you learn?
Are you an independent learner or do you learn best through close interaction with a teacher? The small class size at a liberal arts college affords more opportunity to engage with your professor and peers. If you learn best through discussion and constant feedback, a liberal arts college may be for you. If you’re excited by lectures delivered by Nobel laureates and groundbreaking researchers, consider a large public research university.
What is your ideal college experience?
Do you value diversity or camaraderie with your college classmates? Liberal arts colleges are smaller than universities, and often cater to a more traditional student. Students generally live on campus and attend classes full time. If you fit this mold, you will find a close community with opportunities for lifelong friendships and a strong alumni network. If you are commuting to campus or studying online, you might have to make an extra effort to forge friendships at a liberal arts college. Large universities generally offer more diversity in terms of cultural background, age, life experience and socioeconomic background. That said, diversity is what you make of it: A large university also lets you seek out your own, whereas a small college challenges you to find common ground with everyone in your class, including those who may not share your values, tastes and background.
What are your career goals?
Do you know exactly what you want to be when you grow up? Does the career you’re targeting require mostly applied skills—or does it require postgraduate training? Liberal arts colleges are designed to provide a comprehensive foundation for many careers rather than specialized training in a career field. Many employers respect the core skills that a liberal arts education cultivates: Problem-solving, critical analysis, communication and teamwork. Liberal arts graduates often go into careers in business, law or medicine. Many continue their education, seeking either professional training or an academic Ph.D.
What’s your major?
The main difference between liberal arts college majors and university majors is that liberal arts schools generally offer one expansive area of study, whereas at universities, the same major may be broken into two or more degree tracks.
For example, someone at the University of Pennsylvania majoring in engineering can either do the bachelor of science program, or do a dual degree through the bachelor of science and bachelor of arts programs. The dual degree program would include different course focuses, with one geared more toward research and the other more toward theory and principle. This is a good example of how universities cover more specific topics related to a major.
But at a liberal arts college like Amherst College, which doesn’t offer an engineering major, students can still become engineers through majors related to the study, like sciences, mathematics, and statistics, or even through graduate school following Amherst. It doesn’t mean that liberal arts colleges have lesser-developed classes or curriculum in these areas; it just means that they offer broader areas of study, sometimes incorporating aspects students don’t gain from more focused classes.
If you are considering doing a lot of academic research within your major, a university will offer more research opportunities. You will be able to conduct research alongside graduate students and professors. On the other hand, professors at liberal arts colleges are still expected to produce publications, but there’s less emphasis on research involvement for students.
Finally, A few words about the admissions processes.
While most liberal arts colleges and universities use the Common Application, there may be some differences in what students are applying for. A liberal arts college student may just be admitted to the college itself, while a university student may be admitted to a specific school within the university (such as School of Engineering within Columbia University). Also, because universities may have branch campuses, a student may have to apply to a specific branch (e.g., Penn State Altoona versus Penn State University Park).
Selecting the best school for you is perhaps one of the most important decisions you will make for your future. In addition to these general differences between liberal arts colleges and universities, you should spend some time to evaluate the curriculum at each school to make sure it can cater to your career development. Don’t just think about what schools you can get into; think about what would be a best-fit school for you.
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