College is a term that has several different uses; most often it is used in the context of post-secondary education, either to describe an entire certificate or degree granting institution, or a sub-division within a larger organization. In the past, colleges were subsumed within a university system, operating more as the home for students and providing training. The university was the body which granted the degree after students completed their time of study and satisfied requirements, usually involving examinations, set by the university. This is the major difference between a college and a university: Universities are usually larger institutions that incorporate different schools or colleges, although within the English-speaking world, college is often used to describe all post-secondary educational programs and institutions.

Regardless of their exact nature, colleges fall within the purview of education, in particular higher education after the level considered necessary to function effectively as an adult citizen—that offered by elementary and high schools. As such, colleges teach more specialized mastery of particular skills, greater depth in academic knowledge, or otherwise advance the individual interests and talents of their students. This aspect of education is built on, and requires, the foundation of earlier education, which includes not only academic knowledge but the emotional development and social skills that are acquired in earlier childhood.