* School: This is the most general term, encompassing any institution of learning. It can refer to anything from primary school (elementary school) and secondary school (middle school and high school) to specialized schools (e.g., trade schools, vocational schools). Schools typically focus on foundational education and preparing students for the next level.
* College: A college is a post-secondary institution that typically offers undergraduate degrees (associate's and bachelor's degrees). Colleges often specialize in specific areas of study or have a smaller overall size than universities. They may also focus more on teaching than research.
* University: A university is a post-secondary institution that offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs (master's, doctoral, and professional degrees). Universities are typically larger than colleges and place a significant emphasis on research alongside teaching. They often have multiple colleges or schools within their structure (e.g., a College of Arts and Sciences, a School of Engineering, a School of Medicine).
Here's a table summarizing the key differences:
| Feature | School | College | University |
|----------------|-------------------------|-------------------------|--------------------------|
| Level | Primary & Secondary | Post-secondary | Post-secondary |
| Degree Offered | None (K-12) | Associate's, Bachelor's | Associate's, Bachelor's, Master's, Doctoral, Professional |
| Focus | Foundational Education | Undergraduate Education | Undergraduate & Graduate Education & Research |
| Size | Varies greatly | Smaller | Larger |
| Research | Minimal to None | Some | Significant Emphasis |
Overlap: The lines can be blurry. Some colleges offer graduate programs, blurring the line with universities. Some universities are small, and some colleges are large. The key differentiator remains the breadth of programs offered and the emphasis on research.