What does a liberal arts college mean?

Hey everyone, I'm a junior and I've been recently researching about different types of colleges. I keep seeing the term 'liberal arts college' being mentioned but I'm not exactly sure what it means. Could someone explain what a liberal arts college is and what the main differences are compared to other types of colleges?

Hi there! It's great that you're starting to look into different types of colleges. A liberal arts college focuses on providing an undergraduate education based on a broad curriculum that includes the humanities, arts, social sciences, and natural sciences. You'll find that liberal arts schools often emphasize smaller class sizes and close interactions with faculty. The main differences when you compare them to larger universities or colleges with a more specific focus (like technical institutes) are the breadth of subjects studied and the type of educational experience they aim to provide.

For example, if you attend a liberal arts college, you might take a variety of courses in subjects like philosophy, literature, history, and science, regardless of your major. This kind of education aims to foster critical thinking, communication skills, and a well-rounded intellectual foundation. These schools tend to be smaller and often provide a more intimate learning environment where you can get to know your professors and fellow students better. This can be quite different from larger universities where you might find more specialized programs, larger classes, and more research opportunities but may miss out on the close-knit community feeling of a liberal arts college. Hope this clarifies things for you!