Overall, alumni of independent colleges were:

• More satisfied with their education. 66% of the graduates of liberal arts colleges were very satisfied with their education compared with 54% of alumni of large public universities or 45% of small state colleges.
  
  
• More satisfied with the experience. Students at independent colleges are consistently more satisfied than public university students with aspects of college life such as counseling, advising, class size, and contact with faculty.
  
  
• More likely to rate it as excellent. Independent college alumni are more likely than public university graduates to rate their overall undergraduate experience as "excellent" (61% versus 40%).
  
  
• Convinced they received a better quality education. Assuming costs were equal, 63% of independent college alumni believe that private colleges provide a better quality education and 32% of the public university graduates agreed.
  
  
• More likely to graduate in four years. Independent college alumni were more likely than public university alumni to graduate in four years or less (72% versus 52%).

Alumni and transfer students from other institutions will tell you that a smaller college can make a big difference in the educational experience - and one that could mean all the difference to you, or your son's or daughter's professional and personal success.

Source: Council of Independent Colleges, "Making the Case".