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So what is the difference between a regular University or College and a Liberal Arts College?

A Liberal Arts College (LAC) is a smaller college with a usually much smaller student population. Liberal Art Colleges have little or no graduate or professional schools.

An advantage of larger research Universities is that you can choose between a larger variety of classes and majors which are not offered at LACs.

Liberal Arts Colleges has a more personal and closer community feel, you might receive more personal attention. In larger universities, class sizes are usually larger and there may be intro classes which are partly taught by graduate students. At LACs, all classes tend to be taught by professors, and they know their students more personally.

Here is a great analogy:

“A good LAC is like a formal sit-down restaurant. Helpful waiters lead you to a booth, bring you the menu and explain the options available. There are several choices for each course, and each one will be nicely prepared and brought directly to your table. It’s very safe and cozy, and you’re unlikely to be surprised or disappointed by anything you order. But if you want something that’s not on that menu—or if you don’t like the people you’re seated with—you’re just out of luck.”

“A good university is like the midnight buffet on a cruise ship. There are literally thousands of choices, from sushi to enchiladas to chocolate truffles, and if you want something you don’t see on the buffet, you can ask them to whip some up for you. You can sit wherever you like, with whomever you like, and change seats several times if you want. You can return to the buffet to try different things multiple times. However, it’s your job to pick the food you want and your responsibility to bring it to your table. There are helpful staff members available to give you a hand if you need one, but you have to get up and find them and ask them questions. If you just sit at your table and wait, you’re going to starve.”