Deciding Which is Right For You: College or University

Either way, post-secondary education is a great way to enhance your knowledge, prepare for your career, and grow as an individual.

Deciding which post-secondary institution is best for your academic journey is a big decision to make. Understanding what value each type of education can provide for you and which programs are offered at each institution, as well as other factors like location, accommodations, type of learning environment, funding opportunities, extracurriculars, and more, will help you in making this decision. Some schools even offer hybrid programs at both institutions — the possibilities are endless!

First, it's important to understand the differences between college and university. In Ontario, Canada, there are:

• 23 public universities
• 24 public colleges
• over 400 registered private career colleges

University

Universities award Bachelor degrees for programs that are usually four years across Canada, with some exceptions for three or five years of study. Subjects are organized under faculties with many varying disciplines, and often begin with general foundational courses that specialize in the later years of each program.

A university's purpose is to expand your mind with high-level knowledge, network with like-minded colleagues, and improve critical reading and writing skills that will serve you in any industry.

Universities also offer graduate studies at the Masters and Doctoral (and Post-doctoral!) levels to enhance your academic career. Some careers require additional training at these levels, such as:

• medical doctor
• scientist
• professor
• lawyer
• teacher
• and more

College

College provides vocational training with hands-on skills and instruction to prepare you for certain career paths and jobs, and mostly offer one, two, or three year certificate and diploma programs. Apprenticeship programs may also be required in college for many career options to have you work under an experienced tradesperson in your field. Career paths include:

• paramedic
• electrician
• radiological technician
• hair stylist
• firefighter
• and more

Is there an option for both?

Absolutely! You will need to do some research to find out which schools offer these programs and in what fields, but there are many programs that offer features of both university and college. These features include:

• co-operative programs and internships for hands-on experience
• fast-paced learning
• small class sizes for accessibility
• skill building and job shadowing
• community placements and outreach through experiential learning
• research opportunities with faculty
• and more

For example, King's University College at Western University offers a program called Finance and Wealth Management where students graduate with both a Western University degree and a college diploma.

King's also offers Pathway Programs into the Bachelor of Social Work program upon completion of a Social Service Worker diploma at Fanshawe College or Lambton College. We have many other Articulation Agreements with Fanshawe and Lambton Colleges for students completing the following diplomas:

• Developmental Service Worker
• Early Childhood Education
• General Arts and Science
• Liberal Studies
• Police Foundations

To learn more about transfer opportunities from a college to university, ONTransfer is a great resource.

Do your research

Ensure that you are organized and have all the information about each program and institution that you're applying to. Talking to alumni and current students about their experiences, reaching out to staff and faculty, visiting with a campus tour, and attending info sessions are all great ways to gain insight.

Regardless of where you decide to attend, make the best choice for you and your future!