If you鈥檙e in the middle of the college application process, you鈥檝e likely weighed the query: small vs. large university? Maybe you have a gut instinct for a more intimate educational environment, but want confirmation, or are being drawn to larger schools for their name recognition, but have an inkling you鈥檒l be missing something. For those actively weighing school size in the college application process, you鈥檒l want to give small universities their fair time at the podium.
While there is a lot to be found at larger schools, the benefits of attending a small university deserve a moment in the spotlight. Because education is built equally on knowledge and relationships, both come together to build a foundation for future generations to build their contribution upon.
Cheesy as it is, the maxims are true: it鈥檚 not just what you know; it鈥檚 the friends we made along the way.
1. Smaller class sizes
You may still have a few lecture halls full of first-years for a couple of semesters while finishing your general education requirements, but for the most part, smaller universities mean small class sizes, where it’s easier to ask questions, participate in discussions, form connections, and build relationships with both fellow students and professors who become mentors and sometimes later even colleagues.
2. Direct faculty access
Speaking of which, college is when classroom teachers morph into professors, teachers who are also experts in their field. Attending university is a unique opportunity to get to know these professionals before you choose your own profession.
At small universities, office hours are both predictable and not too far of a trek when you鈥檝e got another class to get to before leaving campus. There鈥檚 nothing like a good mentor to help you find your footing after graduation, or a well-written recommendation letter to land your first job. One of the best benefits of a small university is direct faculty access when you need it.
3. Tight-knit campus community
Community is built on both planned and chance encounters. At a small university, you鈥檝e got a high percentage of finding both, as smaller campuses cultivate more accessible third spaces, ideal for spontaneous meetings. You鈥檒l run into your professor on a walk across campus and ask that question you鈥檝e been wondering, or have time to grab a coffee with a new friend after class. These are the kind of happy accidents that small schools foster, alongside organized campus events, where you get to know people who share similar interests.
4. Visible leadership and extracurricular opportunities
These people with similar interests? They鈥檙e easy to find in a small university setting. Community leadership is visible; you pass by their offices without a second thought on the way to on-campus common spaces or stand behind them in line while grabbing a bite to eat. Plus, there are just the right amount of extracurricular activities offered, not so many that you鈥檙e overwhelmed with choice, but enough that you鈥檙e able to start in your comfort zone before pushing your edges for a few semesters to build diverse and lifelong connections.
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5. Personalized academic advising
Whether or not you鈥檙e the first in your family to attend university, a lot has changed across educational and professional landscapes in the past few decades. There鈥檚 nothing like having someone guide you through the process, even if the idea of racking up credits to get a degree is familiar to you. When choosing a college, you want to make sure there鈥檚 ample support toward getting your degree. And if you have a difficult year academically, or want to switch your major halfway through, it鈥檚 much easier to navigate with a student-focused academic advising team that wants you to succeed.
Plus, academic advising becomes career advice when you get close to graduation. Alongside the professor-student relationships, a key benefit of attending a small university is the support students receive from dedicated faculty and staff.
6. Culture where students aren’t anonymous
On a campus where students roam in manageable numbers, rather than swarms of scholars, stronger relationships may be a given, but culture shouldn鈥檛 be taken for granted. If possible, invest time in visiting prospective schools (or at least taking a virtual tour) to experience the on-campus vibe for yourself before committing your time and resources.
Where you earn your degree will impact your relationships and professional opportunities over the coming decades, and small universities are uniquely poised to do so because of their size and support networks.
How to decide if a small university is right for you
When choosing a college, the 鈥渞ight fit鈥� looks different for every student. While the benefits of a small university are clear, it鈥檚 important to consider how those align with your personal learning style and long-term goals.
Ask yourself a few key questions:
- Do you prefer interactive, discussion-based classes or large lectures?
- Would you benefit from closer relationships with professors and advisors?
- Are you looking for a tight-knit campus community or a more independent environment?
During the college application process, visiting campuses 鈥� or taking virtual tours 鈥� can help bring these factors to life. Pay attention to how students interact, how accessible faculty seem, and whether the campus environment feels welcoming.
Ultimately, choosing a college is about finding a place where you can thrive academically, socially, and professionally. For many students, a small university provides the structure, support, and sense of community needed to succeed both during college and beyond.
Ready to take the next step? Learn more or apply today.