The two-year private liberal arts college, with sufficient para-professional offerings, provides an alternative for students who desire a liberal arts education with necessary career expertise, yet do not want to spend the time and money required for a baccalaureate degree. These schools serve as an important part of the American system of higher education in that they have opportunities that public schools lack to devise creative and dynamic programs; add diversity; offer competition to an otherwise all-embracing public system; provide a center of academic freedom removed from political influence; are deeply committed to liberal learning; are concerned for human and individual personality; set standards; provide educational leadership; and save money for taxpayers. Much has been written about the ultimate demise of many private colleges, and, indeed, these colleges are currently facing serious problems. They suffer from a heavy reliance upon tuition, difficulties in offering competitive salaries for quality faculty, nationwide enrollment declines, the need to respond to the changing nature of American society and business demands, and decreases in federal financial aid. In spite of these obvious difficulties, most small private colleges will survive in the 20th century and in doing so will help to ensure the continuing strength of the entire system of American higher education. (AYC)