Moxie Matches: Public Schools People Often Think Are Private

Every year during college list conversations, a parent will confidently say something like:

“Isn’t William & Mary private?” or “I thought the College of Charleston was a small private college.”

Surprise! Both are public universities.

The confusion makes sense. These are not the massive flagship campuses people often picture when they think about public universities. Instead, they offer historic settings, strong undergraduate teaching, and communities that feel much more like the traditional private college experience.

In other words: they’re public schools with very convincing private-school energy.

The “Wait… That’s a Public School?” Factor

Both schools have a way of making families do a double take.

At the College of Charleston, students attend classes surrounded by palm trees, historic homes, and pastel-colored buildings in one of the most picturesque cities in the country. The campus blends directly into Charleston’s historic district, where cobblestone streets, cafés, and boutiques are part of the daily walk to class.

Not exactly the image many people have in mind when they think of a state university.

William & Mary, meanwhile, looks like it was designed to appear in a college brochure about American academic tradition. Founded in 1693, it is the second-oldest institution in the United States. The campus sits next to Colonial Williamsburg, complete with red-brick buildings, leafy quads, and enough history to make any campus tour guide very happy.

If someone told you either of these schools was a private liberal arts college, you probably wouldn’t question it.

Why Students Might Like These Public Universities

Despite their different vibes, students are often drawn to these schools for similar reasons.

• A Public University That Feels Smaller: Both institutions prioritize undergraduate education in ways that feel more typical of private colleges. Students can expect discussion-based classes, accessible professors, and plenty of opportunities for research, mentorship, and academic exploration.
• Strong Campus Identity: These schools also have something that’s hard to manufacture: personality. The campuses are distinctive, the traditions are well established, and students tend to feel connected to their community.
• Beautiful (and Very Different) Locations: Both campuses are undeniably scenic, but the surroundings shape student life in different ways.

Where These Public Universities Start to Diverge

The two schools share a “wait that’s public” reputation, but their day-to-day student experience tells a different story.

• The Setting: At the College of Charleston, the city plays a major role in campus life. Charleston’s beaches, food scene, and cultural events are all part of the student experience. It’s easy to see why the atmosphere often feels relaxed and social. William & Mary sits in Williamsburg, a quieter and more traditional college town. While students still have access to larger cities like Richmond and Washington, D.C., campus life itself tends to take center stage.
• The Overall Feel: Students sometimes describe William & Mary as a place where academic curiosity runs deep and traditions matter. At the College of Charleston, the vibe often feels a bit more laid-back, shaped by Charleston’s coastal lifestyle and vibrant cultural scene.

Neither is better, just different.

The Bottom Line

The College of Charleston and William & Mary are excellent reminders that not all public universities look or feel the same. Both offer the strong undergraduate focus that families often associate with private colleges, while still providing the resources and opportunities of public institutions.

The real question isn’t whether one is “better.” It’s which environment feels more like home.

Do you picture yourself walking past historic homes and grabbing coffee on a Charleston side street before class?

Or heading across a leafy quad at one of the country’s most historic campuses, where the traditions go back centuries?

Yes, these schools are technically public. But with campuses this charming and backdrops this historic, scenic, and undeniably Instagram-worthy, you might forget that little detail entirely.

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