Liberal Arts Colleges versus Universities

By Daniel Ein Alshaeba, 2025

Published 3/12/2024

As students begin the search for higher education, the term “liberal arts college” is bound to appear, whether it is on a school’s website or an overly enthusiastic email from an obscure college.  Understanding what distinguishes a liberal arts college from a traditional university, however, is crucial knowledge in the college-searching process.

A liberal arts college and a traditional university have vastly different styles of education.  Most universities have the goal of preparing students for careers.  In turn, students are expected to follow distinct programs related to their major and have courses focused on their careers later in life.  For example, an accounting student will primarily take business courses.  In a liberal arts college, however, the main focus is a well-rounded education.  As a result, students must take courses in various fields, regardless of their intended career.  Hence, students will leave with critical thinking skills and knowledge of diverse subjects.

Universities and liberal arts colleges also offer different degrees.  Liberal arts colleges place great emphasis on undergraduate education, thus they often do not provide graduate or professional degrees.  This is not the case with all liberal arts colleges, however.  Colgate University, for instance, provides PhD and Masters programs to students.  Remarkably, they do not have a dental program.  On the other hand, various degrees are offered at universities.  At the undergraduate level, bachelor's degrees are often provided for engineering, business, science, and the humanities.  Meanwhile, master’s degrees, PhDs, MDs, and law degrees are offered for graduate students.

To many undergraduates pursuing a degree in STEM, research can be a deciding factor in college choices.  Universities, especially R1 schools, are rarely in short supply of research.  The larger size gives more opportunities for students to work with experts in a field, who may offer not only research but also internships for students after they graduate.  The majority of liberal arts colleges focus more on other extracurricular activities, as opposed to research.  This is not always the case, however.  Swarthmore, for instance, encourages and funds undergraduate research, while others, such as Bowdoin, partner with universities such as the California Institute of Technology to provide research. To many undergraduates pursuing a degree in STEM, research can be a deciding factor in college choices.  Universities, especially R1 schools, are rarely in short supply of research.  In addition, the larger size gives more opportunities for students to work with experts in a field, who may offer not only research but also internships for students after they graduate.  Not all liberal arts colleges stress research as greatly, focusing more on other extracurricular activities.  This is not the case with all colleges, however.  Swarthmore, for instance, encourages and funds undergraduate research, while others, such as Bowdoin, partner with universities such as the California Institute of Technology to provide research.

In many cases, the lines between a “university” and a “liberal arts college” are blurred.  Many research universities, such as the Ivies and the University of California schools, offer a “liberal arts education” to undergraduates.  In other words, students are encouraged, sometimes required, to take a diverse array of courses, similar to a liberal arts college.  Moreover, small class sizes, a characteristic of liberal arts colleges, also are common among selective universities and most honors colleges

Choosing between a liberal arts college and a traditional university is an important aspect of deciding on a college.  Students more interested in pursuing research or a professional degree should attend a university, while those pursuing a diverse education will gravitate toward liberal arts colleges.  However, having an open mind is imperative.  Many liberal arts colleges can provide research positions to students.  Likewise, some universities encourage students to build knowledge in many fields, similar to a liberal arts college.  Still indecisive?  Some of the best ways to learn more about a school are to attend information sessions and tours, or even contact school representatives.