Examples of Non-Research Universities (Note: Classifying a university strictly as "research" or "non-research" can be nuanced. Some institutions might be considered primarily teaching universities but still conduct some research.):
* Many liberal arts colleges: These are almost exclusively undergraduate institutions focusing on a broad liberal arts curriculum, with less emphasis on specialized graduate programs or extensive research. Examples include Williams College, Amherst College, Swarthmore College, and Wellesley College (USA).
* Smaller public universities: Many state universities, especially those located in smaller towns or cities, may have a stronger teaching focus with less emphasis on large-scale research projects.
* Specialized institutions: Some universities focus on specific professional fields like teacher education or nursing, with limited graduate programs beyond their specialization and less research output in fields outside their focus.
Key Differences in Academic Focus and Priorities:
| Feature | Research University | Non-Research University |
|-----------------|----------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------|
| Primary Focus | Research and graduate education | Undergraduate education |
| Faculty Role | Significant research activity, mentoring graduate students | Primarily teaching undergraduates, limited research |
| Funding | Significant research grants, contracts, endowments | Primarily tuition, state funding, smaller endowments |
| Student-Faculty Ratio | Often high, reflecting a large graduate student population | Typically lower, more focused on undergraduate teaching |
| Course Offerings | Wide range, including advanced graduate courses and specialized research seminars | Primarily undergraduate courses, fewer advanced specialized offerings |
| Facilities | Extensive research labs, libraries, specialized equipment | Fewer research facilities, focus on teaching labs and resources |
| Publications | High volume of scholarly publications, patents | Fewer publications, primarily in teaching-focused journals or professional contexts |
| Student Body | Often a large mix of undergraduate and graduate students | Primarily undergraduates |
In essence:
Research universities are engines of new knowledge creation and discovery. Their faculty are often judged heavily on their research output. Non-research universities are more focused on educating undergraduates and providing them with a high-quality educational experience. Faculty in these institutions may still conduct some research, but teaching is their primary role and is often the main criteria for evaluation. While research is important, the *scale* and *emphasis* on it are substantially different.