It is often assumed that a college has a small student population, while a university has a larger population, but this is not necessarily true. There are both large and small colleges and large and small universities. Many liberal arts and technical colleges have small student populations, but there are also small and exclusive universities and large community colleges with thousands of students. Size alone does not dictate whether an educational institution is a college or a university.
Because universities feature multiple separate colleges and options for graduate degrees, they are often more focused on research and innovation than colleges. Universities also typically require their professors to research and publish papers in their discipline. By contrast, liberal arts colleges may be more focused on teaching a wide range of courses in a variety of disciplines. Technical colleges may focus on teaching skills that are specific to a particular career or line of work.
The main feature that actually distinguishes a college from a university is the potential for multiple degree options. At a college you can typically attain either a Bachelor of Arts or Sciences or an associate degree. A university also offers the option for graduate-level studies. They have master's and even doctoral level courses and degrees available. Some universities offer programs where students can complete bachelor-level coursework in a specific field and go immediately into a graduate-level program without having to reapply to the college.
At a college you can prepare for fields that require a two- or four-year degree. These include degrees like education, psychology and biology. Students at vocational or technical colleges may finish in just two years and be prepared for a career. Some students finish a four-year degree at a college and go immediately to graduate school at a university. Others complete the degree and go into the workforce. At a university, many students pursue degrees in fields like law, medicine or engineering where they know they will need more than a two- or four-year degree.