B
It is my understanding that the designation of college or university in the U.S. is related to the accredidation process for what degrees can be offered and how it is "licensed" by the local states.
A technical college is different from an academic college in that it is normally a 2 year degree and usually more technical in nature as described by Rachel about Canada. The students have high school diplomas and may be attended by adult students going back to school for additional education. Of course, that difference is being blurred by the acceptance of the credits hours from an associate degree by another college or university as progress towards a bachelor's degree. The technical schools are usually much lower in cost.
An academic college is a four year college giving bachelor degrees. I thought it used to be more related to being a state sponsored college rather than a privately sponsored university. The university also was accredited to give master's and doctor's degrees. Again, some of the differences have blurred over time. Practically there is not much difference between the two in the U.S. Private colleges and universities normally have a better reputation than public colleges but again that is changing as state sponsored schools have improved.
Bill Pflanz
A technical college is different from an academic college in that it is normally a 2 year degree and usually more technical in nature as described by Rachel about Canada. The students have high school diplomas and may be attended by adult students going back to school for additional education. Of course, that difference is being blurred by the acceptance of the credits hours from an associate degree by another college or university as progress towards a bachelor's degree. The technical schools are usually much lower in cost.
An academic college is a four year college giving bachelor degrees. I thought it used to be more related to being a state sponsored college rather than a privately sponsored university. The university also was accredited to give master's and doctor's degrees. Again, some of the differences have blurred over time. Practically there is not much difference between the two in the U.S. Private colleges and universities normally have a better reputation than public colleges but again that is changing as state sponsored schools have improved.
Bill Pflanz