Just in Time for National College Decision Day – The Pros and Cons of Large & Small Campuses

By Amelia Woolard

Counting down the days until you can officially call yourself a high school graduate? No matter what’s going on in current events – coronavirus, anyone? – the fact remains that you’ll soon be preparing for college life. Yes, even if it entails online learning for the first few weeks. There’s just one problem: you still have to decide where you’ll head in the fall.  

If you’re like most almost-college-freshmen, your options probably consist of both large universities and smaller colleges. What’s the difference, you might ask? Well, large campuses contain at least 15,000 students, whereas small campuses usually only have about 5,000 or fewer students.  

The obvious size factor isn’t the only thing that differs large schools from small schools, either. Although every college is unique in its own way, there are certainly some similarities that you can generally count on amongst both large and small universities. Follow along as your friends at uCribs detail the pros and cons of each – just in time for National College Decision Day on May 1st!  

Large Campuses  

Pro: A dizzying array of student clubs and on-campus activities.  

Often, attending a large university can feel like living in a town full of, well, college students. If you’re a social butterfly, this is great news! Larger colleges and universities offer tons of opportunities for students looking to volunteer, join a Greek organization, work on-campus, serve in student government…really, the possibilities are endless. While smaller campuses still offer involvement opportunities, budgeting makes it difficult for them to compete with the options found at a larger school. If you imagine a collegiate life filled to the brim with on-campus music festivals, sporting events, BBQs, and more, take a closer look at schools with a larger student body. 

Con: Feeling like just another face in the crowd.  

Do you like to stand out from the crowd? If the answer is “yes,” then you might want to take a moment to consider how you’ll feel as one student out of thousands on your campus. Though large campuses are master planned to contain vast numbers of people, you’ll never be able to escape your college’s large student body size, should you enroll in a public or state university. Yep, that means that you’ll likely encounter long lines at the university coffee shop every morning and crowded tables in the library at night. Some say that “the more, the merrier” –but, if you’re not down with this sentiment, consider finding your place at a smaller educational institution.  

Pro: Affordable tuition and more financial support options.  

Though there are exceptions to the rule, most large schools are easier on the wallet, since a high number of students helps keep overall costs down. What’s more, larger institutions typically have more funding – whether via the government or vast alumni networks – so, you might find that they offer more scholarships or grants, especially to in-state students. College is about way more than just finances, with many saying that the investment is well worth it, no matter the price. But, we can’t deny that cost is a major factor when choosing a college, so if you’re nervous about paying a high price tag for continuing your education, a larger university may be able to offer more affordability and support in that regard. 

Small Campuses 

Pro: Smaller and more intimate class sizes. 

If you’re more excited about class time than you are on-campus parties, you’d be well-suited for a small college, which boasts smaller class sizes, too. Instead of learning material alongside 100 or more peers, you’ll likely attend classes with no more than 30 people in them. That means that you’ll enjoy a more intimate learning experience, while also getting more one-on-one time with your professors. Even if you don’t consider yourself a “teacher’s pet,” having a closer relationship with your instructors can give you a deeper appreciation of the class and a more complex understanding of the subject itself. Plus, you can bet that asking for help when you don’t understand a certain topic will be much easier when you’re on a first-name basis with your professor—and have less competition to deal with.  

Con: A shorter list of available majors available.  

Though smaller campuses certainly encourage students to explore various career paths, the reality is that small schools usually offer a limited number of majors in comparison with larger schools – which could spell disaster if you’re hoping to sample a variety of classes first semester and figure out your intended major later. After all, the last thing you want to do is to enroll in a small school and discover soon afterward that they don’t offer a major you want to pursue. If you have no idea what your career path looks like right now, you might want to play it safe and enroll in a larger school with more options. 

Pro: A stronger social and professional network.  

No one is saying that you can’t make good friends while attending a large university. However, when you attend a small school, it’s hard not to form meaningful friendships with nearly everyone on campus. That’s because you’ll be attending classes, hanging out in common areas, and taking part in student clubs alongside a smaller set of peers than you would at a bigger school. Not to mention, many of the friendships that you’ll make at a smaller school will translate into strong professional connections later – connections that will likely result in heartfelt reference letters a few years down the line. (If we’re being honest, that’s arguably as valuable as your college diploma!) 

If you’re a high school senior, you’ve got a major deadline coming up: college decision day! It can be hard to figure out which direction to take when it comes to choosing between a smaller or larger school – trust us, we’ve been there. That’s why we hope to make the process a little easier with this comprehensive list of pros and cons. And, don’t forget: whichever choice you make, uCribs is supporting you all the way! Go get ‘em, Tiger. 

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