Public Universities | CollegeDawg

Public Universities (2 Types)

1. Big-Time "Flagship" or "Football" Schools

2. Branch or Regional Schools

A Breakdown of Categories (Simplified):

1. Big-Time "Flagship", "Football", or "Higher Prestige" Schools

*USC Columbia & Clemson - are our 2 examples in SC (Basically "Power 4" Schools)

2. Branch and Regional Universities

*We'll split these into 2 "basic" versions for clarification.

** "Branch" or "Satellite" Schools **

*USC Upstate, USC Beaufort, & USC Aiken - are the best examples in SC.

Essentially these are the same name as a "Flagship" School, but have an area designation as well

** "Regional" Schools **

*Coastal Carolina, Lander Univ., Winthrop, and Citadel - are great examples in SC.

NO NAME RELATION to others in the state---but similar in size and setup to Branch or "Satellite"

Note: As a reminder, although ALSO Public---Community Colleges & Technical Colleges have their own

designated section: "Community Colleges"

Easy Enough?

Determining Branch & Regional should be ZERO Problem for you now in YOUR STATE.

If it has the name of a Big-Time "Flagship" School in it - Branch or Satellite

If it doesn't have the same name as a "Flagship School" in it- but is a Public Univ. - Regional

For this GENERALIZATION, the "Football" or "Flagship" Schools would look like this in various states

(Although you may get an argument from others that they belong here. Yeah, we get it. But no.)

*In NC: UNC Chapel Hill & NC State (Duke and Wake Forest would be too for example---but they're Private),

*In FL: Florida & Florida State (Miami is Private)

*In TX: Texas, Texas A&M, & Texas Tech (Also several more Private)

*In VA: Virginia & Virginia Tech

*NOW WE'LL BE SPEAKING THE SAME LANGUAGE

AND YES, we made up the "categories". Many are used interchangeably on the web, live, & in the real world.

We're just using Generalized "Descriptors" to make it easy.

Great-----Got It-----So What's the Point?

Well, there are some pretty significant differences between the "Football Schools" and the Regionals/Branches. And there are a few minor advantages and disadvantages between the Regionals and Branches.

For the Most Part----our job is to point out the General Pluses and Minuses. But more importantly, how each impacts our most important goal of "Speed to Degree", while also allowing us to use our "Cost Cutting Tricks".

Let's get to it...

So, when you ask a High School student---typically a Sophomore or Junior---"What College do you think you're going to go to?", THE MAJORITY WILL SAY one of the "Football Schools" for your state. Here in SC, those Universities are Clemson or USC. Wanna know the funny part? Less than 10% end up at either one (based on simple math).

So why do those High School Students answer that way? Well simply---that's the easy answer, and they don't know about all the "Paths" available to them. Essentially, they are typically unaware of all the other Higher Ed Options and Career Training available to High School Grads. That's pretty much the MAJORITY of the Colleges & Opportunities covered throughout this site...

Now, when you ask a Senior what College they're going to---the answer changes DRASTICALLY. Now you start hearing about all the Branch & Regional Public Universities, Private Universities, and local Community Colleges. Why? Well reality has set in regarding Costs, Money Available, Getting Accepted, Possible Academic or Sports Scholarships, Automatic Scholarships, Where Their Friends are Going, Ability to Move, Current Job Opportunities----OR JUST THEIR OVERALL DESIRE TO HEAD TO COLLEGE (at least right now).

Considering all this...a large portion of these Grads will end up going the Regional or Branch Public University route. So, let's take a look at the Advantages & Disadvantages as compared to the Big "Flagship" or "Football" Schools.

The Easiest Way is to Start with the Big "Flagship" Schools since for the most part

the Regional/Branch Universities will kinda be the Flip-Side in MANY CATEGORIES.

So here are the Generalized Pro's & Con's of the Public "Flagship" or "Football" Schools

(i.e. Big-Time Schools, More Prestigious Schools, Well-Known Schools, Power 4 Colleges...we use all those descriptors---Just FYI)

Advantages or Pro's

1. Prestige (or the perception of it), Notoriety, & Exclusivity

2. Big-Time Sports with really cool Gear, License Plate Frames, and Corn-Hole Boards

3. Faculty – Typically seen as “top tier”, but of course this is case-by-case

4. Big Campuses (like little cities which may be exciting). In many cases this can accelerate growth via broader & more inherent "Life Experiences"

5. Challenging Work (often viewed as more “rigorous”)

6. Many Big-Name Companies available for Internships

(However, this can be overly competitive with the top-ranked students often landing the big names first)

7. LARGE Selection of Degree Choices (although, according to CollegeDawg, this can be a problem)

8. Networks: Larger # of Alumni (and active students)

9. Activities, Groups, and Overall “Campus Life”

10. Greek Life - Many Fraternities & Sororities you may not find outside of this "Type" of School

11. Exposure to many people from other States, Countries, or those with Diverse Characteristics or Backgrounds

12. Larger Research Facilities and often more visible Partnerships with Companies and Organizations (If that's important to you)

13. Study Abroad Programs - Many have fairly Extensive Partnerships or Networks Worldwide

14. Strong Graduate Programs for MANY High-Level Professions (i.e. Master's or Doctoral levels)

15. Costs (In-State) as compared to Private Campus-Based Universities. (However---just note, most remaining options can be more cost-effective)

Quick Side-Bar

Regarding Big-Time "Football", "Flagship", or "More Prestigious" Public Universities:

1. "Football Schools" benefits are simple and many are fairly well known. If it seems like we're not that high on them, just keep in mind we have a kid at one right now. So, they don't need our help------there's plenty that want to go there!

2. Remember, less than 10% of students end up at these Colleges---we just need to give everyone the basics. This can provide the student the opportunity to research the multitude of other alternatives WAY BEFORE SENIOR YEAR.

3. There are significantly better options than these "Flagship Schools" when it comes to Overall Cost Savings and the ability to maximize our "Speed to Degree" Strategy. Obviously, these are covered under the "8 Types of Schools", but really accentuated in the "College on the Cheap" section.

4. Lastly---when we get to the Branch and Regional University Pro's and Con's, those sections will be much shorter since many are essentially just FLIP-FLOPPED vs.

The Big-Time Schools. However, you will find a few more really important things to consider...

Potential Disadvantages or Con's

1. Cost – this is a mixed bag. Although more expensive than your basic “Branch” or “Regional” University, they can be far cheaper than your standard “Campus-Based” Private University (often $50-60k a year).

The Cost vs Branch and Regional Public Schools is more pronounced once you add in Room, Board, Regular Fees, “Cost-of Living” Locally, Transportation Back Home etc…

Additionally, there may be a few thousand in EXTRA FEE's annually, many of which are unexpected & initially undisclosed on most literature.

(Reminder: many of those are listed in the "College on the Cheap" section)

2. The Overall Process: Application, Enrollment, Financial Aid (pre-offer scenarios---IF you can get a sit-down), Financial Aid (post-offer), Housing (with several steps), Placement Testing (after acceptance), Test Prep/Tutoring if those tests are bad, Orientation(s), Webinars, Pre-Advising, Full Academic Advising, Multiple Points of Contact, Constant Emails etc....

It really is far more complicated than necessary, and to be honest, since THIS DRAGS ON FOR MONTHS, it keeps you from possibly moving forward with other schools (kind of “locking you in”) - Sales 101.

3. Your Financial Aid ‘Offer” can also be delayed a good bit (typically April) if you applied in the winter and are accepted near Mar 1st (for fall). Essentially this means, you’ll be waiting for info you need to determine if want to go there. It's like you are buying something without knowing all the pertinent details.
*HELPFUL TIP:
It usually makes better sense to do the EARLY APPLICATION. Not only do you have an answer on attending---it also allows you to get an earlier “Financial Aid Offer” at many schools.

4. Additional Classes may be needed for ZERO credit. Placement Tests can create the need for 1-2 prep or remedial type classes in subjects like Math and in some cases Foreign Languages that you counted on HS to cover. This applies to students that did very well in HS (earning "A"'s in each class, but aren't as good at permanent retention). This could add $3-6k to your costs, and may reduce your "Speed to Degree".

5. Much harder for less disciplined students to STAY ON TRACK (Academically and Personally). Environment, Distractions, RIGOR etc...

6. Many students lose their "Automatic Scholarships" due to not maintaining standards (usually 3.0 & min. hours). Head back to that section for a refresher on the details. But, surprisingly, this hovers around 40% for SC Freshman and roughly 60% by Senior Year.

7. Difficulty level, and more importantly, GRADING SCALE! Parents and Students RARELY consider this, but IT IS KEY to maintain those scholarships (usually 3.0 GPA).

*If you need to check out the details on this again, head back to "5 Random Cost Savers"---this topic is uber-important.

8. Internships – Far more high-level competition for limited spots.

Border-line students (small fish in a big pond), may have difficulty competing and end up with “leftovers”.

9. Employment--Company Options (directly recruited from the school). This can be tougher for your “Average to Above-Average Students as compared to the top 25%.

10. In most cases these "Big-Time Colleges" have a take-it or leave-it type vibe on situations outside the norm (and this sometimes flows over to staff communication). Thus, Customer Service may be far different than your expectations on a purchase of this size.

11. Offer Many, Many, Many low-in-demand or low-in-pay Degrees without concern for “outcomes"--but to be fair, that’s most colleges to some extent.

12. CRITICAL: Their policies on CLEPs, DSSTs, & AP's can be less favorable for CD's "Speed to Degree" Strategies. Often, they accept fewer, or have bumped the score recommendations for credit beyond what's established by "ACE" or the College Board.

13. Limited (timely) access to different Depts and/or Decision-Making Leadership. When calling you often start with screeners who provide you general email addresses as the best route to get support for your situation.

14. Unbelievably High Requirements for the Institutional Automatic Scholarships we talked about in our Cost Cutting Section. These won't be available to most Average or Above-Average Students.

Even the Top 10%-ers in High School probably won't qualify for a ton.

So, with all that said---What are some ADVANTAGES to Regional or Branch Schools?

Well, I'll give you a spoiler right away. They are very close in many categories, but Regional Universities typically come out ahead in several factors related to the various CollegeDawg Strategies---but it's close.

**Regardless---These are SOME OF THE MAIN KEYS to Consider**

Do they have the Degree You Want? What's the Reputation FOR THAT PROGRAM?

What Employers are they Hooked-up with for Internships---BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY Possible Job Placement?

Do you have to move---or can you Commute with little change to your present life situation?

How much can they save you in "Overall Costs" and can they help you on immediate "Price"?

How Accelerated Can They Make This for You?

But what else...

1. You can be a BIG FISH in a Small Pond. If you are an Above-Average High School Grad, you CAN REINVENT YOURSELF AND BECOME an Excellent-to-Outstanding College Student. This means you might be a Top Choice for the Best Internships and Employment Opportunities THEY HAVE. (Both Branch & Regional)

2. Outside Temptations won't be AS PREVALENT, thus less risk to overall focus, grades, and Automatic Scholarship money YOU EARNED in High School or in Year 1 of College. (Both Branch & Regional----BUT LOWER RISK at Branch Universities)

3. Prestige? Well, this one probably goes to the Regional Schools. For the most part, many Employers in your state probably know little about them, and the out-of-state Companies may not have even heard of them. That can be positive, but rarely negative. However, with some "Branch Type Schools", some individuals may view them as the middle ground between Community Colleges and the Flagship Schools. NOTE: Either way, this will not matter much once you land a job in the field. From there it's all about Experience, Performance, Networking, & Landing New Interviews----AND MOST IMPORTANTLY Nailing the Interview!

Let us know if you need a little help there...

4. Institutional Automatic Scholarships - They can be very generous for the Above Average students (and higher). You'll almost always see SEVERAL THOUSAND Dollars with a 3.5 GPA (weighted) and 1100-1200(ish) SAT. With all the research we've done, it seems to be a bit higher at the Regional Schools. This probably has a little to do with the affiliations the Branch Schools have with the Flagship Universities. There is often shared Governance, Policies, and Academic Guidelines. However, like MOST BUSINESSES, there have to be some concessions in certain markets "TO HIT THE BENCHMARKS"---and some have modest local autonomy. (So, Both are Good. Based on a small sample size Regional may be better on average)

5. CLEP & DSST Acceptance - Both Regional & Branch Universities are better in this category than the "Big Dawgs" TYPICALLY. From what we've found, Regionals have the advantage on the number accepted and scores required, but the Branch Universities are typically in the same ballpark (or at least nearby in the parking lot). Additionally, beyond the CLEPs & DSSTs you'll also find your AP credits can be treated a little better at both schools.

6. Costs - This one goes to the Branch Schools ON AVERAGE. The tuition rates are similar between the two, but there are more outliers with the Regional Universities. The Branch Schools are very consistent. Additionally, Room & Board is often a little lower at the Branch Universities because they are usually less of a "Destination School" or located in smaller markets. But we're talking a few thousand a year (leaving out the outliers). Keep in mind the Automatic Institutional Scholarships though---if they're good enough it can make up the difference.

7. Who "wants you more". Based on our experience it's almost always the Regionals who for the most part operate a little more business-like due to their Independence and Autonomy. Thus, the Negotiation categories we covered will tend to work a bit better with them. However, I can tell you that many guidelines and policies at Branch Schools are also not set in stone. We worked with one student who was limited on the # of Credit-by-Exam hours the Branch University would accept (30 hours was their limit in the catalog). However, within 2 days of requesting an exception, the Student was approved for up to 54 hours (just by using a little persuasion).

8. Night School Opportunities - Hands down this is better with the Branch Schools as a larger portion of their population is often Adult Learners. Typically, they have more Majors available, but they are still limited to a handful. However, they often require less "Hybrid Online" classes as part of the program (as compared to Regional Universities that do offer night options).

We could go on and on with 10-15 more categories but they will all be pretty general and very close. You get the point now.

Just refer to these 3 things if you think a Public University is for you:

1. The Pro's & Con's of the "Football Schools"

2. The Topics and Comparisons you found here regarding Branch & Regional Universities

3. But most importantly---The "MAIN KEYS" for consideration we outlined in the opening of this section (a few paragraphs up)

To Wrap this Whole Section Up,

Just Remember these Main Points:

* Whether it be a Flagship, Branch, or Regional University----just go in with all the info and realistic expectations. Just because something's popular and expensive doesn't mean it's better.

* If Cost and Getting that Degree Fast are key concerns----make sure you do your shopping. You now have the info you'll need to make it happen.

* Align your "Interests" with the Degrees that are Higher Paying or More In-Demand. DO NOT TRY THE OPPOSITE. This alone is far more important than which of these Universities you choose in 90%+ of cases.

Just ask the 54% of Americans not working in the field of their Degree!