Cost

• Both public and private high schools offer diplomas. Public high schools in the U.S. do not charge student admission fees, while private school fees can range from $4,000 to more than $20,000. Colleges charge different fees. The tuition at a state public university is often cheaper than a private college.
  
  

Types

• A student can receive a bachelor's degree after earning a high school diploma or equivalent General Educational Development (GED). Traditional universities offer four-year degree programs, though some take longer. Students also can attend community colleges, earn an associate's or two-year degree and transfer their credits toward a bachelor's degree.
  
  

Features

• High school diplomas and bachelor's degrees represent different educational levels. High schools provide students with a general education that includes math, science, English and history. Colleges offer numerous specific courses of study. For example, a college student might focus on biology and never take a history course.
  
  

Significance

• To pursue a master's program, such as a Masters in Business Administration (MBA), you must complete a bachelor's degree. You cannot be accepted with only a high school diploma.
  
  

Considerations

• Some schools offer dual credit courses where high school students take classes and receive both high school and college credit. As a result, students save money and may graduate from college earlier.