Higher education refers to optional formalized learning following secondary school. It may also be referred to as post-secondary education or tertiary education. There are 4,599 institutions across the United States capable of granting degrees. These may include public and private universities, liberal arts colleges, and community colleges. Current issues pertaining to tertiary institutions include the high cost of tuition, courses offered online, and student debt. American universities are among the most prestigious and widely-recognized in the world, making them an esteemed destination for...

Unlike other educational institutions in the United States, tertiary institutions – including universities and community colleges – are less likely to be funded and run by municipal, state, or federal governments. Most rely on student tuition payments to pay staff salaries and operational costs and the United States has one of the most expensive higher education systems in the world. In the 2012 fiscal year, average tuition for a public community college offering a two-year associate’s degree was $3,131 USD per year, while the average tuition for a private university offering a four-year...

In the United States, standardized test scores are a key part of the admissions process for undergraduate, graduate, and other degree programs. A variety of standardized tests may be used according to the program, student, and college or university being applied to. The test may be subject-specific or test the student’s abilities in a number of domains. For international students, English language proficiency is often tested. In higher education settings, standardized testing is used to help rank applicants from a wide range of academic backgrounds. Test scores are mandatory for the majority...

Post-secondary or higher education teachers work with adult students in a variety of educational settings above the high school level; mostly at colleges, universities, and professional schools. They may teach academic subjects or vocation-specific skills. Some post-secondary teachers conduct research and publish scholarly papers or even books. Higher education teachers have flexible work schedules according to the classes they teach and the research they conduct. Some may also spend part of their time conducting administrative duties and advising and mentoring students. Education & Credentials...

Higher education usually involves courses or content that is far more field- or career-specific in comparison to the course offerings within the mandatory education system, which ends with Grade Twelve. As a result, there are a variety of different types of institutions that offer higher education, be it in the form of a certificate, diploma, associate’s degree, bachelor’s degree, professional designation, or a post-graduate degree. In most cases, institutions that offer higher education include colleges and universities of which there are several different types. The following are some of...