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Small Town Colleges

Big City vs Small Town Colleges: What’s Right for You?

Jul 13, 2022

Posted by : Admin

As a student, choosing the right college can be a big and daunting decision for you. Your professional career as well as personal identity gets shaped in a college, and hence, it is important that your chosen college helps you find your own path. One of the biggest criteria you need to think about is whether to go for a college in a big city or a small town.
 
Universities in small towns as well as big cities have their own advantages and disadvantages. While small-town colleges can provide a better student community and traditional college experience, students might find themselves restricted when it comes to job opportunities or professional connections. Similarly, colleges in big cities provide access to more opportunities and have better infrastructure but they are costly and can be more career-oriented rather than focused on the holistic development of a student.
 
So, in this article, we will make a detailed comparison of big city vs small town colleges, explore the pros and cons of colleges in small towns and large cities, so that you can choose wisely.
 

Advantages of Attending College in a Big City

  • Access to More Opportunities

One of the biggest advantages of going to college in a big city is access to more opportunities. This is not just limited to when you are in college but after graduating as well. Since most companies and brands have offices in bigger cities, you can find more opportunities for getting an internship or even a full-time job. This privilege extends to networking and experience as well. You get to meet more people who are successful in their jobs and companies and can provide you with essential knowledge and wisdom.

  • More Things to Do

Life outside of college and classrooms is also important for the overall development of a student. Big cities give more options to you in terms of recreation and extracurricular activities. You can go to malls, parks, museums, and other such places to relax during a weekend or after exams. Similarly, there are grounds, arcades, and stadiums where you can go to play sports or participate in other such activities.

  • Excellent Transportation

Bigger cities are very well connected and have a robust transportation system in place. This makes it easier for you to roam around, get to class on time, or travel anywhere else during holidays.

Disadvantages of Attending College in a Big City

  • Scattered Student Community

Colleges in big cities can have a distributed campus with different departments present in different locations. This can lead to a scattered student community with people living quite far from each other. Further, you might end up spending a lot of time on travel and activities outside the campus, which means that the sense of community and student culture might not be that strong in these colleges.

  • Expenses

Everything in a big city will be more expensive than in a small town. The cost of rent, food, travelling, and just general living expenses can be on the higher side. Urban colleges tend to charge higher fees as well. So, you are advised to check your living expenses and do some research first.

  • Distractions

Sure, big cities have a lot of things for you to do apart from just studying and going to class, but these can easily turn into a distraction as well. Bigger cities are noisier and can distract you from focusing on your studies and other collegiate activities.

  • Less Traditional Feeling

Many urban colleges and universities focus more on the academic aspect than sports, student societies and other extracurricular activities. So, if you picture yourself playing football, participating in drama societies, debate clubs, and such, then these colleges might not be for you.

Advantages of Attending College in a Small City

  • Expenses

The biggest advantage and one of the main reasons why many students opt for a small-town college is expenses. The cost of living is way less in small towns when compared to big cities and everything from rent to food to entertainment is affordable. Small town colleges also have lower fees in comparison to their big-city counterparts.

  • Closer Community

Colleges in small cities generally have a single campus with students living in and around the campus itself. Different departments are all located in a single campus, restricting the time spent on travel. This helps in building a closer student community where everyone is more involved in various college-sponsored activities or student-driven events.

  • Traditional College Experience

The classic college experience including sporting events, debate competitions, model united nations, team-building activities and more is likely to be present in a small-town college. This happens due to the college being on a single campus and due to the strong student community.

  • Fewer Distractions

Life in a small town is quite mellow as compared to big cities. Not only is the traffic lighter, but also malls are smaller in size and in numbers. Overall, there are fewer distractions that can disrupt your concentration. You can focus on your studies better and improve on your academics.

Disadvantages of Attending College in a Small City

  • Less Exposure

Finding an internship or job by yourself can be a little difficult in small towns. The same goes for building a professional network or finding opportunities to further your career, like collaborating with an industry expert or being part of a big research team. This becomes even harder if you decide to pursue unconventional majors like botany, philosophy, and more

  • No Social Life

While the quiet atmosphere of small-town universities is great for studying and participating in collegiate activities, it has the opposite effect on a student’s social life. With fewer malls, parks, restaurants, and other attractions, your social life might not be that appealing.

  • Tougher Transportation

You might face some difficulties with transportation if you don’t live near your campus or just want to move around the town freely. Small cities or towns don’t usually have a vast network of buses, or other forms of public transportation, that ply frequently. You’d might need to wait a significant amount of time to board one or get your own car or bike.

The Final Verdict - Big City vs Small Town Colleges - Which is Better?

There is no straightforward answer as to which college is better. Both colleges in big cities as well as small-town colleges have something special to offer you. So, it’s up to you to decide which is better suited for your budget, preference, career goals and future objectives. Hence, before taking a decision, research thoroughly on what a specific college offers, and keep in mind want you want from your college life and beyond.

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