Why You Should Include Private Schools On Your College List, Despite the Sticker Price

Private colleges are typically much more expensive than public colleges, causing many students to wonder, "Are private schools really worth adding to my college list considering the price tag?" However, we recommend that every student include a few private schools on their college list. Here are our three biggest reasons why . . .

• Academic advantages

• Financial advantages

• Networking advantages

Why add "expensive" private colleges to you list? The answers might surprise you . . .

Academic and extra-curricular advantages

One of the main reasons of looking into private colleges is the academic benefit they can offer, such as smaller class sizes and higher faculty-to-student ratios.

• Smaller class sizes: Smaller class sizes allow for more interaction between professors and students, creating a more intimate learning environment. Studies have shown that this kind of attention leads to better academic achievement and stronger graduation rates.

• Lower student-faculty ratios: The lower student-faculty ratios at private colleges mean students can spend more quality time directly with professors. These close professor-student relationships often lead to more undergraduate collaboration opportunities for students, such as with immersive study or research projects.

• More opportunities for students outside the classroom: Smaller, private colleges make it easy for students to get deeply involved with other students and in activities on campus. Want to stand out? No problem – it's much easier to become a leader and make change when you're a big fish in a small pond.

Financial advantages

In many cases, the sticker price of private colleges scares families off immediately. But what many families don't understand is that sticker prices aren't typically the true net cost of private colleges.

• Tuition discounting: Families should take into consideration the typical "tuition discount" that most private schools offer. These discounts, disguised as merit scholarships, are sometimes offered to every single student who is admitted.

• Additional merit and department scholarships: Many private colleges offer scholarship dollars on top of the discount rate for students who are high-achieving academically, and/or in specialized areas of interest. Taking all these extra dollars into account, students may actually end up paying less for a private school than for a public institution.

• Finish your degree on time, on budget: With fewer students competing for required courses and entry into programs, private colleges typically allow students the opportunity to finish their degrees on time, instead of needing an extra year or two for courses (and tuition) due to capacity issues.

Networking advantages

The third reason we recommend students apply to private colleges is the potential for greater access to networking, both during the college years and beyond.

• Student networking: Because private schools feature smaller class sizes, students tend to develop closer bonds and long-lasting connections that make college more enjoyable, and create strong networks for a lifetime.

• Professor mentorship: We've already mentioned the advantages of the closeness that students enjoy with professors at private schools. It's that same close mentorship that can also lead to positive references and connections to internships and jobs, as top companies often reach out to college faculty when looking for high-quality candidates.

• Alumni networks: Alumni networks at private colleges tend to be smaller, well-connected and very supportive (financially and otherwise) of students, compared to alum networks public colleges. In fact, in a ranking from College Consensus of the most supportive college Alumni networks, nearly 80% of the top 50 schools are private. These supportive alum are often the key to getting an edge on competitive internships and jobs around the country.

Which private colleges are right for your list?

Now that you understand some of the benefits of applying to private colleges, you might be ready to add a few to your college list. But which ones are right for you? With more than 2,000 private schools to choose from, most students need help learning how to sort through the clutter and find the very best college fits.

That's where RingTrue can help. We offer advice on how to start your list on your own, or can sit down with you directly and dig into the details. Want to learn more about our services? Sign up for a free 30-minute consultation today!