#134 Public vs. Private Colleges: Myths and Facts with Dr. Matthew Ward

Flourish Coaching

Aug 6, 2024

In this episode, Lisa and Matthew discuss:

Common misconceptions regarding the cost and accessibility of private colleges.
Advantages of private colleges many do not know about.
How to understand and evaluate a college’s mission and values.
Recognizing financial aid opportunities and understanding the true costs and benefits of private colleges.

Key Takeaways:

Even if a school is faith-based, that does not mean every student is part of that religion. Students grow, and the best conversations are had when hard questions are asked.
Look at the About Page of colleges and universities. What they say and don’t say will tell you a lot about that institution’s priorities, values, and mission.
Your student should get their feet on campus before they enroll. While virtual resources are great, visiting should be a priority before enrolling.
Very few families will pay the full price of tuition at private schools.
Many of the smaller, private institutions operate like a village where there are activities throughout the day that lead to deeper relationships and community involvement that may not be available at larger universities.

“Private institutions typically will be more focused on mission and have a values orientation to the work that they do that ties in the curriculum, but also the structures of the institution. It’s important for students and families to explore what an institution is about.” – Dr. Matthew Ward

About Dr. Matthew Ward:

Matthew Ward, Ph.D., Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Success is responsible for strategic enrollment management and student success at California Lutheran University. Ward leads a division of more than 180 employees including the offices of admission, academic services, financial aid, athletics, analytics, and marketing. Involved in several national organizations related to enrollment management, marketing, and Hispanic higher education, he has authored papers and chapters and provided thought leadership on enrollment strategy, marketing higher education, building campus diversity and equity, and becoming a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI).

Ward teaches “Policy Development and Political Influences in Education” and “Administration in Higher Education” for the Ed.D. in Higher Education Leadership program at Cal Lutheran.

Instrumental in Cal Lutheran’s designation as an HSI by the U.S. Department of Education in 2016, he co-authored four successful Department of Education HSI grants (Title III and Title V) and continues to lead HSI initiatives on campus and serve as a champion for students of color and students from under-resourced communities. He also initiated and co-authored a grant to be one of eight universities to launch the first AmeriCorps Civic Action Fellows program serving low-income and immigrant populations in Ventura County.

A former visiting scholar at Centro de Investigación y Docencia Económicas (Center for Economic Research and Teaching) in Mexico City, he earned a master’s degree and a doctorate in International Studies from the University of Miami.

Episode References:

#111 Mythbusting In-State v. Out-of-State Universities with Cristiana Quinn

#115 Making the Final College Decision with Marni Levine

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