This document provides an overview of factors to consider when choosing a 4-year college. It discusses the benefits of a 4-year degree, such as increased financial security and career options. It also addresses options for those not entering college immediately, such as certifications programs or transferring credits from community college. The document provides examples of 4-year colleges in Nebraska and recommends considering support for Native students when choosing a college.

1. Gabriel Bruguier, PhD
Education and Outreach Coordinator
Mid-America Transportation Center
Choosing a 4-
year College That
Is Right For You

2. Introduction
• Difference between ‘college’ and
‘university’.
• Both institutions offer 4-year degrees. Typically, a college will focus on undergraduate education. A
university includes graduation programs, and often emphasizes research.
• Some colleges also offer associate degree program, but here I’ll focus on the institutions that focus on
4-year degree programs.
• ‘Transfer student’ vs. ‘new student’
• A new student, or freshmen, is a student who is enrolling into a college program without having
obtained any previous college credits. A transfer student is a student who has earned some college
credits at one institution, and is seeking to transfer to another institution to complete their degree.
• Health care specific colleges.
• Some colleges, like nursing college, are sometimes integrated into a college/university, sometimes are
part of a community college because they offer specific certifications. Some degrees, like counseling,
are focuses within a 4-year program. You’ll want to consult with a career counselor to learn what
specific certification is needed for a given career path in health care.

3. Benefits of a 4-year degree
• Financial security over long-run.
• Finding suggest adults with a bachelor’s degree earn $1.2 million more over the
course of their career than adults with a high school diploma or GED, $800,00 more
than those adults with associate’s degree.
• Ability to give back to community.
• A 4-year degree may increase your career options, allow you to find more meaningful
work, and enjoy a higher-level of personal growth and well-being.
• Knowledge is good.
• A 4-year degree will likely include course work and ways of thinking that fall outside of
familiar territory. This should be viewed as a positive factor, rather than a negative
one.

4. No/delayed entry to a 4-year college
• Sometimes, the answer to the question,
“what 4-year college is right for you?” is,
none!
• Some careers require certifications that aren’t offered at 4-year colleges. Knowing
what is required in a specific career path will help orient you towards the institution
that best serves your needs.
• Admission/degree programs are adapting
to non-traditional students. Delayed
pursuit of a 4-year degree is becoming
more viable.

5. What to look for: In-person or Online
• In-person study provides the “college
experience” while pursuing a 4-year
degree.
• Online bachelor’s degree programs offer
flexibility around work and family, while
maintaining the same academic standards
of an in-person program.
• Programs in Nebraska include: UNL, UNK, UNO, York College (Omaha), Bellevue
University (Bellevue), Chadron State College (Chadron), Clarkson College (Omaha),
Peru State College (Peru), Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing and Allied Health
(Omaha), Wayne State College (Wayne)

6. What to look for: Ease of transferring credits/experience
• 4-year colleges are increasingly improving the
transfer process and options for students who have
studied at community/tribal colleges.
• 2+2 programs are those in which students complete
some credits at a community/tribal college, and the
remainder at a 4-year college. UNL and UNK offer
such programs.
• Both NICC and Little Priest have transfer agreements
with 4-year colleges, and can assist you in the
process.
• NICC: https://www.thenicc.edu/academics/transfer-information.php
• LPTC: https://www.littlepriest.edu/transfer-agreements/

7. What to look for: Native culture and support
• If you choose to study in-person, an institution with
a strong Native community (faculty, staff, and
students), and student support services, will make a
considerable difference in the transition to life on
campus.
• Some colleges in the region that fit this description
include: South Dakota State University, University of
Minnesota Morris, Haskell Indian Nations
University, University of Nebraska Omaha,
University of South Dakota.

8. It is never too late!
• If you have your heart set on earning a 4-
year degree, it is never too late to earn one!
• Nola Ochs (November 22, 1911 – December 9, 2016), received her
Bachelors of Arts degree at 95 years old.
• As colleges continue to improve their
offerings to adult learners, the future looks
great for earning a 4-year degree!