At a technical college, students often complete their degrees within two years. At a university, students complete four years or more of study. When deciding on which type of college to attend, think about not only which degree program best suits your career goals but also how long you want to spend in college pursuing this goal as well as how much you can afford for your education. According to Community College Review, as of 2009, an associate's degree can cost $80,000 less than a bachelor's degree program.
Another difference between a technical college and a university is the type of education that's offered. At a four-year university, the focus is more on a well-rounded liberal arts education that prepares students for professional or research-based careers. This is why there is a wider choice of majors to choose from than at technical colleges. Technical schools often focus on education that helps people gain practical skills that are needed for vocational-based careers such as carpentry, cosmetology, culinary arts and entry-level nursing jobs.
While many technical colleges do not offer a large variety of campus clubs for students to participate in, the four-year university has fraternities, sororities, academic clubs and community service organizations. If you're looking for a college that has a vibrant social scene as well as a quality education to prepare you for a career, go with a four-year university. But if your main goal is to focus on academics, a technical college is a good choice.
According to Kid Source, technical colleges have more open admission policies than most major universities. At some technical colleges, students need just a high school diploma or a GED along with a high school transcript. At many four-year universities, students need a high school diploma or GED, possibly an ACT or SAT score, a statement of purpose and letters of recommendation from their high school teachers.