The fundamental difference between public and private schools is funding. Public schools are funded almost by half by the government, while private schools rely solely on tuition, fees, gifts, and endowments. Half the nation's accredited post-secondary institutions are private, and private schools are found in every state except Wyoming. Typically, tuition at private schools is more than that of public schools, and in return, they offer small class sizes, a high level of personal attention, and competitive admissions.
Tuition at private schools should not be a deterrent. Financial aid packages can off-set the difference between public and private schools, a difference which is often minimized when comparing non-resident tuition at public schools.
Many private schools boast a religious affiliation or target black or female students. Career or technical training schools are often private and offer specialized programs. These factors are useful in determining what kind of private school to attend. Beyond specializations and affiliations, students should look at factors such as location, degree programs, curriculum, facilities, campus environment, housing, career placement, and activities to help determine which school will be the best fit.
