<p>I have a few more questions regarding small liberal arts colleges...</p>
<p>Why are colleges less well known and usually ranked lower than universities?</p>
<p>Why are some people convinced that a small "no-name" college is a waste of money?</p>
<p>Do graduates from a small college find it harder to enter successfully into the business/law world?</p>
<p>Rank these colleges:</p>
<p>Pomona
U Penn
Columbia</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>"Why are colleges less well known and usually ranked lower than universities?"</p>
<p>They aren't. Many colleges are much better known and much more highly thought of than many universities. The "rankings" are usually separate, because there isn't an apples to apples comparison.The "man in the street" has probably heard of some big-time sports schools with mediocre to bad academics and Harvard; however, the "man in the street" is usually not in charge of hiring for jobs with a future or admission to grad schools.</p>
<p>"Why are some people convinced that a small "no-name" college is a waste of money?"</p>
<p>See above. On the other hand, if you you are in the position of choosing between a good state school at which you will thrive and which will cost you $20-30K per year less than a mediocre small private school, common sense suggests choosing the state school.</p>
<p>"Do graduates from a small college find it harder to enter successfully into the business/law world?"</p>
<p>No. How much of a boost the name on your diploma gives you depends on many factors: the business in question, the alumni network, internships you've had, the location of the school and the business, et al. For law, what law school you attended and whether you were on law review, plus regional factors, is what matters.</p>
<p>Consolation gave a great answer. </p>
<p>Also, I am not sure there is a distinct difference (in the US) between "colleges" and "universities." Though generally universities are the research institutions and colleges are the liberal arts institutions, there is a great deal of crossover. </p>
<p>For example, on the USNWR "Best National Universities" list, you will find Dartmouth College, College of William and Mary, Boston College, and more. On the "Best Liberal Arts Colleges" list, there are Wesleyan University, Colgate University, Washington and Lee University, Bucknell University, etc...</p>
<p>Also, many of the universities divide their institutions up into colleges, and trade schools have made use of both names without regard to any official meaning.</p>
<p>I wouldn't worry whether an institution considers itself a college or university, just find the one that is right for you.</p>
<p>Ditto all above responses, but I'll also add that universities also can have smokin' hot alums in terms of their responsiveness to helping out grads. At my university, alums basically leap at the chance to hook up new grads w/ jobs, opportunities, etc.</p>
<p>also- some "colleges" are really universities who don't want to change their brand name- for example- I think College of Charleston is really a university...?</p>
<p>Dartmouth College (with its med school, business school, and other graduate programs) would also qualify as a university but they remain a College.</p>
<p>As for the rankings, well...you could rank those 3 schools in any order depending on what question you ask.</p>
<p>International prestige?
-Columbia
-Penn (though whether Columbia or Penn is ahead really depends on the field)
-Pomona</p>
<p>Attention to undergraduates?
-Pomona
-Penn
-Columbia</p>
<p>Urban delight?
-Columbia
-Penn
-Pomona</p>
<p>Etc...</p>
<p>Why the colleges are more or less well-known comes down to what LACs and universities offer.</p>
<p>Liberal arts colleges:
Undergraduate education. - For those with a liberal arts background and entering professional careers in business, medicine and law, it's their graduate degree that attracts attention.
Liberal arts. - Those that become members of academia know about LACs. Those outside will only associate the professor with the college he/she works at.
Small class size.- The small class size and homogenous student body produces a strong but very small alumni network.</p>
<p>Universities:
Professional degrees. - Engineering, business and computer science is at its strongest at universities. Graduates of these programs rarely return to graduate school (and if they do, it's like likely at universities). Some ride their bachelors degree to prestigious careers.
Research. - Universities are research institutions at their core. Outside of sports and USNews rankings, there's no better press for a college than research.
Large class size. - 200 people in your class, 200 people to know. Large alumni networks may not be as loyal (although flagships may be), but the opportunities are endless.</p>