Comparing the meanings and uses of the English nouns school, college, and university, and explaining how they differ around the world.
Understanding the difference between school, college, and university can be tricky because these words refer to different stages or types of education — and the exact meaning can change depending on where you are in the world.
- School usually means a place where children learn (elementary, middle, or high school).
- College can mean a smaller institution within a university or a place for post-secondary (after high school) education — but this varies by country.
- University refers to a higher education institution that offers undergraduate and often graduate degrees.
We’ll break down these differences and provide examples to clear up the confusion.
Last updated: Thu Jun 12, 2025
