Types of Schools
Postsecondary schools specialize in certain levels of education. Based on your career choices, a technical college might be a better fit. Here are some of the more common types of postsecondary options. See which one best meets your academic and career goals.
Technical School/Community College: A two-year government-funded college that offers an associate degree, certificate, or diploma programs related to a specific career. This is usually the least expensive option for postsecondary education.
College/University: A four-year public or private school that offers Bachelor’s degrees and may offer graduate degrees. Public schools are government-funded and generally less expensive. Private schools are self-supporting and may have additional campus financial aid to offset those costs.
In-state vs. Out of State schools: Tuition at colleges not in your state of residency will be higher. For example, in Fall 2024 and Spring 2025 Georgia Tech charged $32,938 for non-Georgia Residents vs $10,512 for Georgia Residents. That's just over $22,400 more cost. At Auburn University during the same time frame and in the College of Education, you would have to pay $6,445 as an Alabama Resident. However, if you are from Georgia and attending at Auburn University, you would be charged an additional $11,016 for a total of $17,461.
You are not limited to one type of school. Many students begin at a technical/community college then transfer to a four-year for a variety of reasons including size, location, and cost. College Score Card can be used to help narrow down your selection.
