Most four-year institutions are geared to full-time, residential students with on-campus housing in dormitories widely available (although they may also have a commuter population).
Faculty members' focus is divided among teaching, research, and publication; there is a higher percentage of faculties with doctorates than in community colleges.
Although average class size varies, many lower-division (freshman and sophomore) classes, especially lecture classes, can be very large and are often taught by graduate teaching assistants.