Five reasons smaller universities are not ‘small’

University of Houston-Clear Lake (UHCL) reached an enrollment number milestone in fall 2018 when more than 9,000 students enrolled at the university. However, UHCL is still considered a small school compared with other four-year universities in Texas and the United States. While large universities have several advantages, smaller universities provide students with certain benefits that large schools cannot.

The biggest university in Texas is Texas A&M University (TAMU) with more than 68,000 students. In the Houston-Galveston area, the University of Houston (UH) tops the chart with more than 46,000 students. A university’s funding is positively correlated with its enrollment number. Therefore, large universities have more funding to build services that small schools do not have.

Each semester, large schools offer a variety of class options to better accommodate the students’ needs. In fall 2018, UH offered 26 basic writing classes (ENGL 1303) with various class time options and instruction modes, such as face-to-face, online and hybrid. UHCL, however, scheduled only three equivalent classes (WRIT 1301), and all three classes were face-to-face arranged on Mon/Wed/Fri in the morning. This made it difficult for non-traditional and commuter students to take those classes.

In addition, large universities have strong sports programs. TAMU has one of the best university athletic programs in the U.S. TAMU’s students even competed and earned medals in the Olympic Games. Small schools, in contrast, often do not have enough funds and facilities to build strong athletic programs. UHCL has a good intramural sports program, including table tennis, soccer and volleyball, but the university does not have the resources, funds or facilities to build its own collegiate athletic programs, at least not at this time.

Small universities, however, have certain strengths and values that big schools do not have, which help distinguish them from larger universities.

1. Small classes encourage students to participate
At small universities, classes are usually smaller than those at larger schools. Small classes give students a chance to have a voice in the classroom. In large classes, instructors tend to focus more on lecturing than on creating class activities because it takes a lot of time to do so with many students. Even if there is a group activity, a student is likely to be put into a big group where that student may not have a chance to present any ideas because of the group size and class time limit. However, in small classes, students have many opportunities to participate in group discussions and present their opinions.

2. Undergraduate students can interact more with professors
At large universities, it is a common practice to see teaching assistants (TAs) interact more with undergraduate students instead of the professors. TAs are usually graduate students who help their professors in the classrooms and with their research. Since large schools are typically well-funded for graduate research, professors will be likely to interact more with their TAs/graduate students than they do with their undergraduates. On the other hand, at smaller schools, undergraduate students interact directly with the professors and may even be asked to help them with their research.

3. Easier for students to develop a sense that they are a part of their school
At large universities, it is not surprising that some students find their school alienating because the school is filled with many students. In a crowd of tens of thousands, students may find themselves lost because of the overwhelming school system. For example, many students at UHCL used to go to big universities, including UH, then decided to transfer here because the system at UHCL is simpler and because they feel more welcome here.

4. Small universities allow students to have a strong social life
Large universities allow students to meet a lot of people, but expanding their social circle does not always mean their social life will become stronger. At large schools, even if students have the same major, they may only meet in one or two of the same courses because of the variety of class options. However, students at smaller schools get to see the same faces all the time. This helps students get to know each other better and build strong relationships.

5. Students have easy access to academic and other services
When students attend a big school, there is a strong possibility that they have to wait in line to receive the service they need. If a test is coming and the tutoring center is already packed with numerous students, one will have to wait. Since there are not as many people at smaller universities, students can get the service they need, often right away or at least without having to wait long.

Large universities do provide students with some benefits, such as a variety of class options and strong athletic programs. However, if a student wants to have a stronger sense of participation, more collaboration with the professors and more service availability, small universities are a better choice.