| Vocational
Technical Schools |
Community
Colleges |
Bachelor
Degree
Colleges / Universities |
| Prepare for a specific
occupation through skills training |
Offer associate degrees and
certificates in variety of areas; Other programs academic
based |
Multitude of degrees;
associates, bachelor, and graduate programs |
| Integrate academic curriculum
with hands-on |
Some certificate programs may
be hands-on |
Few hands-on programs; Most
academic based |
| Tuition varies |
Tuition is reasonably priced |
More costly - charge higher
tuition and fees |
| Typically no residential halls |
Typically no residential halls |
Option for residence hall
living or commuting |
| Admission requirements vary |
Open admissions; some majors
have selective admissions requirements |
Competitive admissions |
| Public or proprietary |
Public or proprietary |
Public or private |
| Support services vary |
Typically offer more support
services and allow more time for adjustment to college life |
Requires quicker adjustment to
independent life |
| Smaller student/teacher ratio |
Smaller student/teacher ratio |
Tend to be larger both
physically and student/teacher ratio |
